Is Oral Drug Testing The Future For Workplace Drug Testing? Weighing The Pros And Cons

The pros and cons of oral drug testing: Is it the right choice for your workplace?

When it comes to workplace drug testing, employers have several options, including urine, hair, and oral drug tests. Each method has its advantages and drawbacks, but oral drug testing is becoming an increasingly popular choice for many businesses.

In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of using saliva drug test kits for workplace drug testing to help you determine if they are the best option for your organisation.

The pros of oral drug testing

1. Non-invasive and easy to use
   Oral drug testing requires only a simple saliva sample, making it far less invasive than urine or blood tests. There’s no need for special collection facilities, and employees can provide a sample quickly and conveniently.
2. Reduced risk of tampering
   Unlike urine tests, which can be tampered with or substituted, oral drug tests are conducted under supervision, significantly reducing the risk of cheating.
3. Fast and reliable results
   Many saliva drug test kits provide rapid results, often within minutes, allowing employers to make quick decisions based on the findings.
4. Detects recent drug use
   Oral drug testing is particularly effective at detecting recent drug use (within a few hours to a couple of days), making it ideal for post-incident or reasonable suspicion testing.
5. Suitable for on-site testing
   Since oral tests don’t require specialised equipment or lab processing in many cases, they are highly practical for on-site workplace drug testing.

The cons of oral drug testing

1. Shorter detection window
   While saliva drug tests are great for detecting recent drug use, they have a shorter detection window compared to urine tests. For example, some substances may only be detectable for up to 48 hours.
2. Potential for contamination
   If an employee has recently consumed food, drink, or certain medications, this may impact the accuracy of the oral drug test. Employers should ensure employees refrain from eating or drinking for at least 10-15 minutes before testing.
3. Limited scope for some substances
   While oral tests are effective at detecting many common drugs, they may not be as comprehensive as urine or blood tests for certain substances or long-term drug use. Cannabis detection is not as reliable with oral fluid drug tests.
4. Environmental factors can affect results
   Extreme temperatures or improper storage of test kits may influence results, so it’s essential to follow manufacturer guidelines for storage and use.

False negatives in oral drug testing

False negatives can occur in oral drug testing, meaning that a person who has used drugs may still test negative. Some factors contributing to false negatives include:

1. Insufficient sample collection
   If an inadequate amount of saliva is collected, it may not contain enough drug metabolites to trigger a positive result.
2. Timing of the oral drug test
   Some drugs pass through saliva quickly, and if a test is conducted too long after use, the substance may no longer be detectable.
3. Hydration levels
   Excessive hydration or rinsing the mouth before testing can dilute the saliva and reduce the concentration of detectable drugs.
4. Individual metabolism
   Different individuals metabolise drugs at different rates, which can impact the window of detection and potentially lead to a false negative result.

To reduce the likelihood of false negatives with oral drug testing, employers should ensure proper sample collection procedures and consider using confirmatory lab testing where necessary.

Cannabis detection: Oral drug test vs. urine drug test

When it comes to detecting cannabis use, oral drug tests and urine drug tests differ in both accuracy and the window of detection.

Oral drug tests: Oral tests detect the presence of THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis, in saliva. While they can provide a quick and non-invasive method of testing, they are typically less sensitive than urine tests. Cannabis is only detectable in saliva for a very short period, generally up to 4-8 hours after use, but in practice often a much shorter time. This means that oral tests often miss detecting cannabis use if the individual has consumed cannabis beyond this window. 

Urine drug tests: Urine drug tests are the most commonly used and the most reliable method for detecting cannabis use. THC metabolites can remain in urine for a much longer period, often up to 30 days or more, depending on factors such as frequency of use, metabolism, and body fat composition. This extended detection window makes urine tests more reliable for identifying past cannabis use compared to oral drug tests.

Overall, while oral tests provide a fast and convenient option for testing cannabis use in the short term, urine tests offer a more comprehensive and prolonged detection period, making them the preferred choice for employers or institutions looking to detect Cannabis usage amongst their employees

Is oral drug testing right for your workplace?

Oral drug testing is a great choice for businesses looking for a quick, non-invasive, and reliable way to detect recent drug use. It is particularly effective for post-incident or random drug testing in workplace settings where immediate results are needed. However, if long-term drug use detection is a priority, other methods such as urine drug testing may be more suitable.

If you’re considering implementing oral drug testing in your workplace, check out our range of saliva drug test kits to find the right solution for your needs.

For more expert advice on workplace drug testing, feel free to contact our customer support team at UK Drug Testing via chat , email or telephone during our office hours.