What Do Employer Drug Tests Test For?

An employer may require that employees, or prospective employees, take a test to screen for the presence of drugs and drug metabolites in the body. All standard drug tests check for a group of drugs known as the SAMHSA-5.

Function

When drugs are ingested and processed by the body, drug metabolites are created that bind to certain areas of the body after the effects of the drug have worn off. Drug metabolites pass from the body over time through various bodily fluids and waste.

SAMHSA-5

SAMHSA stands for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The SAMHSA-5 is a group of five types of drugs for which all standardized drug tests screen; it includes amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, opiates and PCP.

Other Drugs

Expanded drug tests may also screen for barbiturates, hydrocodone, benzodiazepines such as Xanax, methadone, alcohol and ecstasy.

Types

The most common and least-expensive type of drug test is urinalysis. Other types of drug tests are blood, hair, saliva and sweat tests.

Considerations

Hair tests can detect a history of drug use, with a period of detection of approximately 90 days. Blood tests are highly accurate and effective for detecting a current state of intoxication.

References

• Erowid.org: Drug Testing Basics
• Department of Health and Human Services: Testimony on Federal Workplace Drug-Testing by Edward J. Cone, PH.D.
• DrugFreeWorkPlace.com: Drugs of Abuse