Urine Drug Testing: An Overview
The oldest and most commonly used method of drug testing is the
urine drug test. Urine drug testing is usually the most
inexpensive and quickest method of screening for drug use. Some
benefits of urine drug testing are that the tests are minimally
invasive and safe. Results are often returned within 24-48 hours
and many employers appreciate the quick turnaround time.
With dozens of testing labs in every city, convenience is often
a factor in choosing urine tests. Testing centers are usually
near to the particular company and the visits are often short.
The prospective employee just needs to sign in and sign a few
releases and then urinate in a cup. In most cases, the employee
is able to partially close the restroom door in order to
maintain some privacy. Since many urine tests can detect masking
agents, the need to urinate in full company is virtually
eliminated. The entire process usually only lasts 20 minutes and
employers can have the results within hours.
Although urine drug testing is the most common of pre-employment
drug screenings, many creative scientists have developed tools
to beat these tests. A vast array of products are easily
obtainable online and in specialty shops. Some cases have even
been reported of people purchasing urine from a "clean"
associate and using the clean urine in their own drug test. The
clean urine is stored in a thin plastic bag, boiled, strapped to
the leg and passed as urine.
With drug testing laboratories beginning to test for masking
agents, synthetic urine was developed. The urine often comes in
powder form but may also come in liquid, ready-to-use form. The
powder is mixed with water and comes with a container with a
thermometer attached. The temperature is guaranteed to stay
fresh for up to a few hours. This synthetic urine contains all
of the properties in which a lab tests. Certain body
temperatures and chemicals that are normally present in human
urine are detected and it can be very convincing.
Although urine drug testing is easily accessible, minimally
invasive and relatively inexpensive, many employers understand
that it is also the easiest to evade. Because of the variety of
methods used to cheat on urine tests, many employers decide to
utilize sweat, saliva or hair follicle drug testing in its
place. These other methods may not be as convenient or
inexpensive, but are generally more reliable.