Urine Drug Testing

Why Choose A Urine Drug Test?

Urine drug testing is the most common and customizable screening method available in the drug testing world.  Oftentimes a urine drug test are ordered from companies, courts, or individuals without knowing what drug panel is needing to be analyzed.  The most common drug panel options include the 5,10 and 12 panel urine drug tests but we also offer specialized and customized panels based on your specific needs.

A urine drug test detects recent drug use (typically a 1-5 day look back period) and is currently the only testing method that is approved for federally-mandated drug testing (DOT/HHS)

Why would I choose a urine drug test?

Urine drug testing is appropriate for all testing reasons, from:

    • Pre-employment
    • Random
    • Post-accident
    • Reasonable Suspicion

A urine drug test can be performed for a wide range of illicit and prescription drugs and because drug use is almost immediately detectable in an individual’s urine, hundreds of thousands of urine drug tests are administered every year. Tests may be administered to detect a single substance or up to a dozen classes of drugs.

While many companies have begun utilizing the hair follicle test for pre-employment, the 5 panel urine test continues to be the most commonly used test for pre-employment, random, post accident and reasonable suspicion drug test.

Urine Drug Screening 101:

Numerous factors influence how long drugs remain present in the system given that every body functions differently. Some of these factors include the amount of drugs that were consumed, metabolic rate, and the volume of fluids that have been excreted after the drug use.

Various types of urine drug tests exist, each one designed to test for a different combination of substances. The standard test screens for the most predominant street drugs, including cocaine, marijuana, amphetamine, PCP, and opiates. Prescription drugs, performance enhancing drugs, date rape drugs, club drugs and alcohol usage can also be detected with a simple urine drug test at a Smart Drug Testing center.

Prior to releasing the results, findings of all urine drug tests are reviewed by a licensed medical review officer. This period allows time for individuals taking legally prescribed medicine to provide the necessary medication documentation before the final report is released. Typically results of a negative urine drug test are released within 48 hours of the specimen reaching the laboratory.  If a urine sample requires any further confirmation testing, additional analysis time may be required.

Looking for a Department of Transportation (DOT) Test?

All Smart Drug Testing Locations are prepared to follow DOT mandated protocols for collection procedures, collection facility environment, and collector certification. In addition to urine drug tests as well as breath alcohol testing. Our certified technicians are available for on-site testing, meaning that employees can complete their urine drug tests within their usual shifts. Discount pricing is also available for multiple tests and prepayment.

DOT only recognizes a 5 panel urine drug test and a breath alcohol test. All DOT drug tests must utilize a “Federal Chain of Custody form” DOT does not permit instant result test. All DOT drug tests must be sent to a SAMHSA certified laboratory for analysis and reviewed by a Medical Review Officer(MRO)

What Are the Pros & Cons of Urine Drug Testing?

    • Urine drug tests are ideal for detecting recent drug use as chemical compounds are immediately present in the urine.
    • Detectable compounds may pass through the body in a matter of days.
    • Observed collection diminishes chances of cheating, though this can be more challenging to ensure.
    • Urine drug tests are generally more affordable than hair drug screening.

Urine Drug Test Myth Busters:

    • Passive exposure to an illegal substance (second hand smoke, for example) can be detected in urine, however actual consumption of the drug will appear at significantly higher concentrations.
    • While drinking large quantities of liquids in an effort to dilute urine samples may reduce the overall concentration, no beverages contain metabolite reducing or negating abilities able to “cover up” drug usage.
    • Observed collection diminishes chances of cheating, though this can be more challenging to ensure.

Confidential urine drug tests can be conducted at any location utilizing the Smart Drug Testing mobile on-site program service.

Need a Urine Drug Screening Analysis?

The urine analysis is the most frequently used drug test due to its low cost and the fact that most illegal drugs can be detected in a person’s urine after analysis by a laboratory. Illegal drugs can usually be detected in a donor’s urine up to 3-5 days from use and chronic marijuana users may have detection periods up to 30 days with Urine Drug Testing. While suggestions have been made that a urine test can be adulterated by a donor, SAMHSA certified laboratories have added safe guards and additional testing procedures over the years to rule out the likely hood of a false test result and ensure that the accuracy of a urine test has a high percentage rate.

All positive urine tests analyzed by a laboratory are sent for confirmation testing and in most cases a positive test is verified by a Medical Review Officer who will attempt to contact the donor and conduct an interview to determine if there is any lawful or legitimate reason why the test is positive.

What is the Urine Drug Testing Procedure?

The procedure for a urine drug test is simple. A donor provides a urine specimen in a cup to a drug testing collection specialist who will then seal the specimen cup, complete various documentation including a chain of custody form, have the donor initial the specimen cup seal, provide identification and upon completion of the collection and paperwork the specimen will be sent in a secure manner by Currier to the laboratory for testing.

Negative results are usually reported within 24 hours after receipt of the specimen from the laboratory. Positive results are generally reported in approximately 3 business days due to confirmation testing and additional procedural requirements.

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) currently only recognizes a 5 panel urine test for DOT drug testing requirements of Part 40.

Urine drug testing can also be used for instant result testing; this procedure is used when a specimen is analyzed by the collector or at the drug testing center without a laboratory analysis. Instant drug tests have a higher degree of false positives due to the sensitivity of an instant test cup reading. Any instant test which has a positive result should be sent to a laboratory for confirmation testing. Drug testing utilizing urine still remains the most common method for employers and individuals needing a drug test.

Drug detection factors

The length of time that a drug is detectable in the system depends on a variety of factors, including:

  • the type of test
  • dose
  • tolerance
  • potency
  • metabolism
  • the existence of medical conditions

Drug detection times

Please use these figures as a guide only:

  • Alcohol: 3-5 days in urine, 10-12 hours in blood
  • Amphetamines: 1-3 days in urine and around 12 hours in blood
  • Barbiturates: 2-4 days in urine and 1-2 days in blood
  • Benzodiazepines: 3-6 weeks in urine and 2-3 days in blood
  • Cannabis: 7-30 days in urine and up to 2 weeks in blood
  • Cocaine: 3-4 days in urine and 1-2 days in blood
  • Codeine: 1 day in urine and up to 12 hours in blood
  • Heroin: 3-4 days in urine and up to 12 hours in blood
  • LSD: 1-3 days in urine and up to 2-3 hours in blood
  • MDMA (ecstasy): 3-4 days in urine and 1-2 days in blood
  • Methamphetamine (crystal meth): 3-6 days in urine and 24 – 72 hours in blood
  • Methadone: 3-4 days in urine and 24-36 hours in blood
  • Morphine: 2-3 days in urine and 6-8 hours in blood

Drug detection in hair

Drugs or their metabolites may be detectable in hair. Hair grows at a rate of approximately 1cm per month so depending on the length of hair it may be possible to determine drug use over recent months.

A urine drug test, also known as a urine drug screen or a UDS, is a painless test. It analyzes your urine for the presence of certain illegal drugs and prescription medications. The urine drug test usually screens for:

  • amphetamines
  • methamphetamines
  • benzodiazepines
  • barbiturates
  • marijuana
  • cocaine
  • PCP
  • methadone
  • opioids (narcotics)

Alcohol can also be included in screening tests, but it’s usually detected through breath tests rather than urine screens.

A urine drug test can help a doctor detect potential substance abuse problems. After a drug test identifies drugs you may be misusing, doctors can help you start a treatment plan. Taking urine drug tests throughout substance abuse treatment helps to ensure that the plan is working and that you’re no longer taking drugs.

Cannabis: 7-30 days in urine and up to 2 weeks in blood.

Cocaine: 3-4 days in urine and 1-2 days in blood.

Codeine: 1 day in urine and up to 12 hours in blood.

Heroin:3-4 days in urine and up to 12 hours in blood.

It is broken down and excreted through your urine, making it detectable with urine drug testing for up to five days. Hair drug testing timelines have windows of up to 90 days.

Urine Drug Testing-Negative results are usually received within 24 hours; however, a positive screen will require further testing that may take a few days up to one week. If the initial screen is negative, a medical review officer (MRO) will typically contact the employer with the results.

If your urine is being tested only for a urinalysis, you can eat and drink normally before the test. If you‘re having other tests at the same time, you may need to fast for a certain amount of time before the test.