What Do Most Drug Tests at the Workplace Look For?

What do most drug tests at the workplace look for? Drug tests look for evidence of illegal drug use or substance abuse problems. Drug problems create a whole host of problems for employees. The employee could get hurt at work, creating legal problems for the company. The employee might also be inclined to steal or may do a poor job as a result of a drug problem. For this reason, many employers conduct drug tests either before employment, at random times during employment, or if a workplace accident occurs. So, what do these employer-mandated drug tests look for?

Drug tests at the workplace are performed to test employees for certain substances present in their systems. Most labs that offer drug tests offer multiple types of tests to look for a variety of substances. The simplest of workplace drug tests looks for the following:

• Cannabinoids: This is a test for the presence of drugs such as marijuana or pot
• Cocaine: This is a test for the presence of drugs such as cocaine, crack, or benzolycognine
• Amphetamines: This is a test for the presence of drugs such as amphetamines, methamphetamines, and speed
• Opiates: This is a test for the presence of drugs such as heroin, opium, codeine, and morphine
• Phencyclidine: This is a test for the presence of the drug known as PCP

Advanced Drug Tests

There are advanced drug tests available that employers can also use for workplace drug tests that look for other substances as well. Expanded tests can look for the presence of such substances as:

• Barbituates: This tests for the presence of drugs such as Phenobarbital, Secobarbital, and Butalbital
• Hydrocodone: This tests for the presence of drugs such as Lortab or Vicodin
• Methaqualone: This tests for the presence of the drug known as Quaaludes
• Benzodiasepines: This tests for the presence of such drugs as Valium, Xanax, Librium, Serax, and Rohynol
• Methadone: This tests for the presence of methdone in the system
• Propoxyphene: This tests for drugs such as Darvon compounds
• Ethanol: This tests for the presence of alcohol in the system
• MDMA: This test is performed to see if there is a drug in the system known as Ecstasy

Additional tests can be requested on top of that to test for other types of substances in the system. Highly advanced testing level can look for the presence of LSD, Tryptamines, Phenehtylamines, and Inhalents, so you should find out what test your specific employer will be using and what the drug tests in your workplace look for.

Ways Drug Testing Can be Administered

Employers can coordinate with laboratories to conduct drug test in a number of different ways:

• The most common, quick, and least expensive way is through a urine test.
• Tests can also be performed by using saliva. This type of testing is a bit more expensive than urine testing.
• A hair sample can be used to test as well, but this method is more expensive than the other two options mentioned and it is considered a rather intrusive method on the part of the employee.
• Blood testing is the most accurate way to drug test, however, it is intrusive on the employee and it is also the most expensive option for the employer.

Each of these types of work place drug tests look for similar substances.