Blog
Top 5 Reasons Why Employers Should Consider Drug Testing
Drug testing will improve workplace safety, increase productivity, reduce absenteeism, lower healthcare costs & ensure legal compliance.
Dr. Awais
May 24, 2023
Mouth Swab Drug Test: All About Saliva Drug Testing
Learn about the Mouth Swab Drug Test aka Saliva Drug Test. How does it work and what are its pros and cons?
Share This Post
A mouth swab drug test is a method of screening that uses saliva to find out if you have any drugs in your system. Because it’s very simple to conduct, this kind of test is rapidly rising in popularity as one of the most effective drug-screening methods. DrugTestKitUSA has been a dependable provider of discreet, affordable, online drug test kits since 2016.
This type of test is generally inexpensive and offers results almost immediately. In addition, it’s less invasive in comparison to other typical drug detection tests, like a urine or blood test.
But how does it work and what are its pros and cons? Let’s find that out!
How Does This Drug Test Work?
A mouth swab drug test basically is a noninvasive technique that is very simple to use. The subject only needs to refrain from consuming any kind of food or drink for at least 10 minutes before the test, depending on the individual test directions.
The test entails swabbing the inside of the cheek with an absorbent pad or sponge attached to a stick, much like a Q-tip. Then, the swab stick is placed in the collection chamber. After 5 minutes, the results appear. If there is only one visible line in the Control area, the test is positive. Two lines – one in the Control area and one in the Test area – is a negative Thus, it’s very easy to determine whether a specific drug is detected.
Usually, the sample collection process takes only a few minutes. Results of the on-site analysis are available in a matter of minutes. This contrasts with sending a sample to a lab for analysis, which can takes from a couple of days to a week.
Is This Method Accurate?
The majority of mouth swab drug tests have average accuracy of 97.5% and more, based on a 2018 study that was published in the Journal of Analytical Toxicology. The instant oral fluid kits aren’t as accurate as lab testing. This is why a confirmation test is important after a positive result. In reality, there are no tests that are 100% accurate, including laboratory testing. Generally, urine and blood tests are more accurate than oral swab drug tests.
Why is This Drug Test so Important?
There are many reasons to perform a mouth swab drug test. It’s especially prevalent in places of employment with drug abuse policies which require regular testing. Currently, with legalization of marijuana in many states, saliva testing is popular because it test marijuana use over a shorter period of time – while at work.
Pros & Cons of Mouth Swab Drug Test
There are various pros as well as cons of the saliva drug test. Let’s first discuss the advantages one can get by opting for this testing method.
Pros
- The testing speed is extremely fast. In fact, one can get the drug test results on the same day, within a few minutes as well.
- It is very cost-effective. Rapid tests are typically less expensive that lab-based tests. Also, tests can be conducted almost anywhere. In addition, only one person needs to supervize the test, regardless of gender.
- The method is convenient and non-invasive, because urine or blood samples aren’t involved.
- The test is extremely difficult to tamper with. Because the technician administering the mouth swab test can clearly see the sample taken.
Now that we know what are the benefits of this testing method, let’s understand the disadvantages associated with it.
Cons
- Long-term drug use is not possible to detect with this method because it is only detectable for 5 to 48 hours, depending on the drug.
- This test is not as accurate as urine or blood testing.
Final Thoughts
There is no denying that the mouth swab drug test is an extremely effective and efficient way of detecting drugs in an individual. It is accurate, cost-effective, and convenient. Tampering with this test is almost impossible, because the non-invasive way of taking a sample doesn’t require an individual to use a private area, where they are more likely to tamper with the test.
DrugTestKitUSA provides different types of drug tests, including saliva drug tests. View the selection here.
More To Explore
Blog
What Is on a 10 Panel Drug Test?
The 10 Panel Drug Test is gaining popularity. Find out what is on a 10 Panel Drug Test, and learn about accuracy, workplace testing and more.
Dr. Awais
May 1, 2023
