Drug testing often plays a vital role in the background check process of potential employees. There are various drug tests to explore, with urine and hair follicle testing being the two most common. Each serves a unique purpose. The guide below will help you better understand the differences to allow you to schedule the best test for your needs.

Hair Follicle vs. Urine Drug Tests

Urine

Urine drug tests are more affordable and easier to perform. During the test, a person will urinate into a cup at a specialized testing facility. Urine testing can check for cocaine, marijuana, PCP, amphetamines/methamphetamines, opiates, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, methadone, propoxyphene, and methaqualone. It’s most commonly used in pre-employment screening and can detect drugs if they’ve been taken within a week. A downside to this method is that it may be possible for test-takers to beat the test by diluting the sample.

Hair

Hair follicle drug tests use a hair sample to check for illegal substance use. The detection window extends for 90 days, making if the best testing option for identifying long-term abuse. A professional is present throughout the entire process, making it nearly impossible to cheat. Hair tests detect almost twice as many substances as urine tests—however, it will not detect drugs that have been used about a week prior to the test, making it ineffective for on-the-spot testing. Hair testing is also more expensive and has a longer turnaround time.

If you’re looking for reliable drug tests in the Chesterfield, MO, area, EMSI-BiState Professional Services offer a number of testing options. They bring over 30 years of experience to customers, and as an AABB-accredited lab, they are committed to quality and accuracy. Services include drug testing, DNA testing, and paternity testing. Explore the full scope of their services or schedule a test by calling (636) 537-3200.