Substance misuse is prohibited in the workplace, on the road, and in schools, among other places. As a result, some companies regularly conduct drug tests on their employees, students, and associates. These tests are not only utilized in the medical field; they can also be ordered for someone you care for at home. A caretaker, for example, might get one for a recovering addict relative.
What is a mouth swab drug test?
A mouth swab drug test is a type of screening test that is used to evaluate drug use. It's also known as an oral fluids drug test or a saliva drug screening.
Saliva testing is becoming more popular as a substitute for urine drug tests. They're a lot easier to use. The specimens are virtually impossible to manipulate because they are gathered by the individual giving the test.
Pre-employment screening, randomized or periodic screening, and post-accident evaluation are all done with them. Several police departments use saliva drug tests for checkpoint drug screening when they believe someone is driving intoxicated with cannabis or other substances.
At DTC Medical Supplies Inc., we can assist you in conducting a smooth swab drug screening by delivering you the testing kits you require for on-site screening. We value our customers' satisfaction and are always prepared to supply kits as quickly as possible. Please stop by our online store to see the numerous testing supplies we have.
Quick Statistics On Drug And Substance Abuse
Substance Use Disorder (SUD) affected 38.7 million Americans aged 12 and older in 2022. That number accounts for 15.4% of the United States population. Substance use is highest among those aged 18 to 25, with nearly 40% of this age group reporting illicit drug use in the past year.
The percentages of individuals involved with SUDs are:
- 71% with alcohol use disorder.
- 38% with illicit drug use disorder.
- 13% with both alcohol and illicit drug use disorders.
- 5% with both SUD and mental illness.
The worrying factor is that only 10.3% of those suffering from SUD receive treatment. Many are unsure where to get assistance, highlighting the need for accessible support and resources.
But it's not all doom and gloom. Caregivers can detect the use of these substances in a short period of time using mouth swab testing and help users avoid indulging.
Substances Detected Using A Mouth Swab Drug Test
The substances a mouth swab drug test can identify varies depending on the type of test. The difference is usually tied to the number of substances being tested. You can order the 5-panel, 7-panel, 9-panel, and 10-panel drug tests. At DTC Medical Supplies Inc., we supply all of these tests upon request.
When employing a multi-panel drug screen, they could be used to check for any of these drugs alone or in combination:
- Alcohol
- Amphetamines
- Benzodiazepines
- Barbiturates
- Cocaine
- Marijuana/THC
- Opioids
- Propoxyphene
- Methadone
- Methaqualone
- Phencyclidine/PCP
The Accuracy Of The Mouth Swab Test
A drug test using a swab test is highly precise, but only when the swab is handled right. Oral swabs are usually performed under the observation of an administrator. And this makes it harder for the individual being screened to manipulate the samples.
Rapid oral fluid testing kits, quick oral fluid test equipment, and lab testing all have different levels of accuracy.
One research indicated that a portable saliva drug test method was 97.5 percent accurate compared to a lab-based saliva test. The manner of collecting the sample, the substance kind and concentration, and whether or not salivary flow was increased can all affect precision.
Oral fluid generation agents, like citric acid candies or chewing gum, have been proven to reduce codeine concentration levels by two to six times, cocaine concentrations by five times, and methamphetamine concentrations by two to four times.
How Far Back A Mouth Swab Tests The Presence Of A Substance
The detection time for a saliva drug test is typically 5–48 hours.
The detecting interval can be affected by several things, including:
- The drug that was utilized.
- The amount of substance consumed.
- The number of times the individual being tested takes drugs.
- The length of time that the person used the substance.
- The drug's manufacture and method of administration.
- The person being tested metabolic rate.
- The sensitivity of the test procedure that was used.
Here is a list of how far back a mouth swab test can test certain substances:
- THC 72 hours.
- Heroin is one hour.
- Ecstasy and cocaine are two days.
- Morphine is three days.
- Methadone is ten days.
Because most chemicals cannot be identified in saliva for lengthy stretches of time, screening within the correct time frame is critical for accurate findings. As a result, saliva drug tests are frequently employed to detect ongoing or recent drug use. So much so, this application may not be optimal for detecting severe drug addiction.
How The Swab Test Is Conducted
Of all the drug tests available, the least invasive type of drug screening is a mouth swab test. There's no need for needles or urinating in a cup.
All mouth swab drug tests follow the same fundamental procedure:
- Swab the inner side of the cheek with a collecting stick with a microfiber or absorbing pad on one tip.
- On-site or in a laboratory, the sample is tested for traces of chemicals.
- The results are given.
They don't take long to prepare; however, you'll typically be warned not to ingest any food or drink for 10 minutes before the testing.
The Duration To Get The Results From A mouth Swab Test
Instant on-site substance test kits and gadgets can offer results in as little as a few minutes, whereas results from lab-analyzed samples often take one to three days.
Presumptive positive tests may be subjected to lab-based verification testing and an evaluation procedure that takes 2–3 days, dependent on the supplier or institution's request.
The Comparison Of The Different Drug And Substance Tests With The Saliva Drug Test
Companies and individuals wishing to acquire the saliva drug tests should also know the main differences between this test and the others available. Here is a brief comparison of each with the mouth swab drug test:
Saliva Swab Drug Test Vs. Blood Test
The oral swab test is simple, painless, and non-invasive. The results of on-site testing are obtainable in minutes. The turnaround time for lab testing is 2–3 days.
The blood test is the most intrusive and may cause discomfort to the person. One week is the turnaround time.
The saliva drug test is less expensive than a blood drug test.
If the saliva test is an on-site testing kit, the detecting time is usually brief and rapid. It can detect current drug use but not previous drug use. Abstinence for a short period can make it difficult to be detected.
The blood test also has a brief detection time and can reveal current but not historical drug usage.
Blood drug tests are considerably more accurate when the sample isn't manipulated regarding accuracy.
Saliva Swab Drug Test Vs. Urine Test
The urine tests have a few similarities to the mouth swab drug tests, like being low-cost, painless, and quick. The turnaround time for both tests in the lab is 2 to 3 days. But where they differ is that the urine test usually has a more extended detection period revealing both current and past drug use.
When it comes to precision, the urine test takes the lead if the sample is not manipulated.
Saliva Swab Drug Test Vs. Hair Test
The hair test is similar to the saliva swab test in that they are both painless, quick, and easy. However, in the hair test, the length of the air may affect the test results. The results typically come in in about a week for the hair test.
The costs of the hair tests are a bit higher, and the detection period is longer. The tests reveal historical and past drug and substance usage. But you cannot test for current substance use. Of all the tests, the hair test is the most accurate when collected by trained personnel.
Relevant Laws To Adhere To Before Ordering Mouth Swab Drug Tests For Your Institution
You must check with the legal system in your jurisdiction regarding drug tests in general. The following three are the most common ones in the US that you should adhere to:
- State laws differ, and some have made pre-employment drug testing illegal so confirm this first.
- The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that protects consumers. The FCRA only operates when a third-party screener administers a substance test. Before a vetting process is completed, employers must furnish a background check declaration and permission form. Suppose an employer wishes to deny or dismiss employment due to a positive drug test. They must follow the disciplinary action process, which entails delivering a copy of the character check findings to the applicant or worker.
- The Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII. Employee discrimination based on ethnicity, sex, color, religion, or national origin is prohibited under Title VII. This encompasses both deliberate and disparate impact discrimination, in which an employer's activities unintentionally discriminate against a marginalized minority. To remain compliant, drug testing must be conducted fairly and routinely.
Where You Can Get Mouth Swab Drug Testing Kits
The drug testing products offered by DTC Medical Supplies, Inc. are made to fulfill your industry's policies and drug-free workplace duties while also assisting you in staying in conformity with relevant laws.
Multiple panel variations are offered for on-site and lab-based mouth swab drug tests. The lab results are double-checked for accuracy. Visit our site and get a hold of one of our salespeople for additional information on saliva testing.