Depending on the type of drug(s) used and drug cutoff levels, saliva drug test detection time for substance abuse ranges between 6 hours and one week. Drug detection times for saliva drug test kits are shorter compared to urine drug tests or hair follicle drug tests. However, saliva drug tests are the right solution if trying to screen for recent substance use, since saliva samples contain a higher percentage of the parent drug than other sample types.
It is virtually impossible to cheat a saliva drug test. While urine drug testing requires a bathroom for private specimen collection, a swab drug test does not. By placing an absorbent cotton swab in a donor’s mouth, designated collectors or healthcare professionals can directly administer and supervise a saliva drug test to prevent adulteration and specimen replacement. It is very difficult to pass a saliva drug test apart from staying sober.
Mouth swab drug tests are highly effective in detecting recent drug abuse. Business owners who require rapid drug testing should opt for saliva drug tests if they wish to obtain reliable results instantly. Oral fluid collection can be supervised to prevent adulterated drug test results, and saliva drug test detection times can be as short as 6 hours after intoxication. Since saliva specimens contain a high percentage of the parent drug, oral drug tests are appropriate to identify recent substance abuse.
Oral drug test kits are very donor friendly. Oral fluid drug testing is non-invasive and allows for easy, supervised specimen collection. Saliva drug test results can be read in minutes and there is no need for a laboratory or bathroom. Saliva drug tests offer earlier drug detection window compared to other drug testing methods. Select oral drug test kits feature a saliva indicator to confirm adequate sample collection. The early detection window of saliva drug tests is both an advantage and a disadvantage. Factors like a donor’s saliva flow rate, drug type and drug concentration will make the detection window fluctuate between 6 hours and 7 days. In addition, improper saliva collection might yield invalid drug test results. Saliva drug test kits like our 12 Panel SalivaConfirm Oral Fluid Drug Test can detect multiple drugs of abuse at once; however, panel configurations are available to test for up to 14 different substances.
Saliva drug testing can detect 5 to 14 drugs of abuse at once. A standard 5 panel saliva drug test identifies the following drugs:
Some oral drug tests can also screen for:
Saliva drug tests can be used within any industry. Examples of industries where saliva drug testing is prevalent include staffing firms where pre-employment drug screening is required, hazardous occupational settings where random or periodic drug testing is used, and probation drug testing where sobriety and zero tolerance must be upheld.
Several factors will determine which drug test method is ideal for you. Traditional urine drug testing offers a large detection window and screens drug metabolites at low concentration cut off levels. Of all drug test methods, hair follicle drug testing provides the longest detection window and can identify drug abuse 90 days prior to analysis. Saliva tests have a shorter detection window than other drug test types (usually 6 hours to one week). Other benefits of mouth swab drug testing include mobility, non-invasiveness and immediate results.
