Drug tests are allowed and even required in some cases in the US. Over 55 million drug tests were done in 2013 to check the presence of drugs in bodily systems. 90 percent of these tests were conducted using a urine test or urinalysis.

However, such trends are likely to change as considerable progress has been made in using saliva to test for drugs in one’s system. Using oral fluids in testing for drugs could likely catch on because this method is quicker to administer and non-invasive (as compared to urinalysis). Also, saliva testing is not as expensive, and the results can be seen in a much shorter span of time.

Law enforcement agents, such as the police, plus employers can test for the presence of drugs right away. The subject doesn’t even need to leave their presence.

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What drugs saliva tests detect?

There are already a few variations of the saliva test at present. There is the 10 panel test which tries to ascertain the presence in one’s system of the following substances:

• (1) cocaine
• (2) marijuana
• (3) methamphetamines
• (4) opiates
• (5) amphetamines
• (6) barbiturates
• (7) benzodiazepines
• (8) methadone
• (9) oxycodone
• (10) phencyclidine

There is also the 6-panel drug test of a person’s saliva that tests for each and any of the following:

• (1) cocaine
• (2) opiates
• (3) methamphetamines
• (4) amphetamine
• (5) cannabinoids
• (6) phencyclidine

It is expected that the saliva test can detect more drugs in the future but also that these tests will be more expensive.

The saliva test to detect drugs is also seen as a more formidable method for testing drugs because of its shorter ‘detection window.’ This means that drugs are detected using a mouth swab procedure merely in a couple of hours after it was ingested. It takes longer for drugs to be detected when it is tested in urine because drugs need a bit of time to metabolize.

The 5 Best Saliva-based Drug Tests

As an employer, you may want or need to be able to check whether your employees have drugs in their system, it might be a good idea to invest in your own drug test mechanism such as a saliva drug testing kit. Of course, you can also send their specimen directly to a reputable laboratory so you can get more detailed results. Also, here is a ranked list of the five very best laboratory and also home-based drug tests:

1 – 10 Panel Lab Tests for Drug Presence (Saliva-based)

This 10-panel drug testing kit can detect all of the ten drugs that were listed beforehand and is ideal for offices. This saliva drug testing kit includes a mechanism for sending specimen that is collected to a premiere drug testing lab, where you can quickly get a report. Just bear in mind that a saliva drug test cannot detect the subject’s drug levels but can only give a negative or positive report.

2 – 6 Panel Testing for Drugs (with MRO)

This saliva drug test can easily detect any and all of the six drugs listed beforehand. This drug testing kit is ideal for the office, and also for school campuses. This kit is costs less. It is also easier to use because of its non-invasive special device for collection. Best of all, you can get the results and a detailed medical report for as short as 3-7 days.

3 – Oratect — Mouth Swab Testing using 6-Panel Kit

The only six-panel saliva drug testing kit that is available to the public and FDA-approved takes merely two minutes in order to complete saturate the swab and you can get the results in seven minutes.

4 – 10 Panel Swab Mouth Fluid Testing Kit (Swab Cube)

The ingenious saliva Swab Cube may be the only one of a limited number of OTC drug tests that can easily detect ten kinds of drugs.

However, this drug testing kit is only recommended for forensic and research cases. Saturation is completed after three minutes and results can be seen in ten minutes.

5 – SalivaConfirm — 6 Panel Drug Testing Kit (Instant Oral Fluids Cube)

This SalivaConfirm kit can easily detect 6 kinds of drugs: Amphetamine, Cocaine, Marijuana, Methamphetamine, Opiates, and Phencyclidine. However, it is only recommended for use by law enforcement agencies or during forensic examination.

Additional Information on Mouth Swab Test for Drugs

When are Mouth Swab Testing Conducted

A mouth swab that tests for drugs is usually administered by police or other law enforcement agents but can also be conducted by your employers before they hire new employees or during random checks to ensure their workplaces are drug-free. This drug test may also be administered after an employee has come back from a lengthy break or after he has had an accident.

How common is saliva-based drug testing?

Law enforcement agents and employers are using saliva drug testing more and more. They are more cost-effective and much easier to administer, plus they can be administered anytime and anywhere — no need for a privy Plus testing with a saliva drug kit makes for faster results compared with tests conducted with a urinalysis.

How is Saliva Drug Test Administered?

Administering a saliva drug test is very quick and simple. All you need to do is swab the mouth by putting the saturation instrument for 2-3 minutes between your subject’s cheek as well as the lower gum. The instrument easily gets soaked in saliva. Within a few short minutes, you can get a negative or positive result.

Why Is It Effective?

The accuracy of mouth swab tests relies on a few complex factors. However, results will be accurate if the swabbing is done properly. First, swabbing should be performed using a good quality swabbing instrument and within a predetermined detection window. Another good way to ensure accuracy is for the test to be done at random. This way, drug testing cannot be manipulated thus the subject will not get a chance for subterfuge.

How can You be Prepared?

As a drug user in a workplace often conducting random saliva drug testing, you will soon suffer grave consequences. The best safeguard is to not do illicit drugs.

Will a saliva-based drug test produce immediate results?

Absolutely. There are a few saliva drug testing kits that can produce results immediately. The six-panel SalivaConfirm Premium can produce results the very instant the subject’s sample is put inside a collection tube. Some other drug testing mouth swab can give results as fast as 7 up to 10 minutes only

Drugs Detectable via Mouth Swab Testing:

Alcohol, Cocaine, Marijuana, Opiates/Heroin, Methamphetamine, Amphetamine, Benzodiazepines, and Phencyclidine.

Detection Windows Drugs Commonly Detected via Mouth Swab Testing

• Alcohol: 6 to 12 hours
• Cocaine: 24 hours
• Marijuana: 12 to 24 hours
• Methamphetamine: 48 to 96 days
• Opiates: 48 to 72 hours or up to 3 days

If you’ve been made aware tests might be conducted for possible drug use, it would be best to stop taking drugs immediately. If this isn’t possible, use the above detection window above to ensure your drug use does not coincide with work hours.

You can also limit the chances of your test coming out positive by practicing impeccable oral hygiene. This means brushing your teeth two times daily. Also, use a powerful mouthwash. The mouthwash will exponentially increase chances of the going undetected in your saliva. Just be sure not to brush or gargle to hard that it will cause blisters or bleeding. This might raise a red flag and you might be tested further.

Lastly, quite a few special mouthwash formulations are available that can guarantee that you pass the saliva drug test. However, we haven’t personally tested them. You should do the testing to ensure keeping your job.

Want more information about how Chapters Capistrano can help? Feel free to call 949-276-2886 and one of our addiction specialists will help get the information and help you need.