A drug test kit is a type of laboratory device used to analyze bodily fluids to determine if the person under suspicion has recently been using drugs, specifically illicit drugs.
It is essential to follow the instructions for proper storage of the drug test kit to preserve its shelf life. The shelf life of a drug test kit is usually disclosed on the product label.
1. Urine Drug Test:
Urine tests are the most common form of testing and can be administered at home or in a laboratory. The drugs in substantial quantities are excreted through urine, so it is relatively easy to detect their presence with urinalysis.
Depending on various factors, including drug use, metabolism, regular diet, and randomness of urine, the urine test can remain positive from a few days to a month after the last drug consumption.
In addition, urine tests only detect a specific drug at the time of testing.
Procedures: A qualified medical professional supervises a urine drug test by collecting the urine sample into a particular collection container (cups are commonly used) which contains an additive that turns urine blue when exposed to certain chemicals.
The typical urine sample consists of a container that holds about 5 ml of fluid.
The results from a qualitative test can be read on the spot after only a few minutes’ wait. Non-specific tests require the urine to be sent overnight to a laboratory for analysis.
Expiration: The shelf life is 18–24 months, and it can sustain in a wide range of temperatures.
2. Blood Drug Test:
Blood drug testing involves drawing a person’s blood through a needle, then testing the sample for drugs. Blood drugs tests can detect drug use. As soon as the drug enters the blood, it starts showing its effects.
The blood test gives accurate results in just minutes and is quite popular among employers. However, the test is not that easy to be administered and needs experts’ help.
This test is only advisable to be conducted when the employer suspects drug use on their employee. In many cases, employers resort to this procedure to check the moral conduct and control illegal substance use on their working premises.
Procedure: You can either have the sample taken from the arm’s vein or collect it through a finger prick.
Expiration: The accuracy of the results can be compromised if the expiry date elapses. Usually, the kits have a shelf life of two to three years.
Note: A blood test involves invasive procedures that can cause unnecessary complications in some cases. The process may be painful for some and risky for others, so you should not go ahead with this unless you are sure that your employees are habitual drug users.
3. Hair Follicle Drug Test:
The hair follicle drug test kit is a comprehensive detection method for drugs in the body. It is an FDA-approved stand-alone test that can detect the use of many classes of illegal and some prescription drugs.
This method does not indicate that the person currently has used drugs, however. Instead, it suggests that a person may have used drugs in the last one to three months.
A hair follicle drug test is not a substitute for a blood or urine test. Nor does it detect all forms of drugs; it only looks for substances that the person’s body has metabolized that produce drug effects in the body.
Procedure: The hair of the person being tested will be collected and examined for traces of drugs. In the event of a positive test, drug treatment and rehabilitation should take place immediately.
Expiration: The shelf life of the hair drug test kit is 24 months after production.
4. Saliva Drug Test:
Like urine tests, saliva drug tests look for drugs directly in a person’s saliva. These are the basic type of drug tests, and they can be administered quickly and easily. These testing kits are used when testing employees or athletes for drugs.
Saliva tests are often referred to as “oral drug tests” because they test for drug activity in the mouth’s lipid layer. The most common type of saliva testing is a rapid screening test, where saliva is swabbed manually.
Procedure: A saliva sample is taken from the inside of your mouth, and a small amount of saliva is drawn into a test tube or well using an oral swab. It takes about 5 to 10 minutes to obtain a saliva sample.
Expiration: The shelf life of any drug testing kit is usually a couple of months. Generally, the expiry date is mentioned on the backside of the package. If you notice anything unusual, discard the kit and buy a new one.
5. Sweat Patch Drug Test:
This test is performed by analyzing a person’s sweat to detect trace amounts of marijuana, cocaine, and methamphetamine. A sweat patch drug test is one of the most reliable methods currently in use.
This type of test is used for pre-employment screening and random drug testing and to detect substance abuse. This test offers convenience and comfort because you can wear the patch anywhere. It also provides rapid results as they are detected in real-time.
Procedure: The patch is applied to the person’s upper back and then covered with a protective plastic wrap. The patch remains on the skin and is removed after that period.
Expiration: The shelf life of the Sweat Patch drug test kits is about 2 years.
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