Numerous businesses require employment drug testing not just to secure their workplaces but also to keep their clients safe. For example, nurses must retain a sharp focus to be able to administer the right medicine doses to patients. Truck drivers need to be alert to avoid road accidents, while construction workers have to be attentive in high-risk environments. Here’s a brief guide to urine drug tests to help you determine whether or not to implement the procedure in your business.

What Drugs Can a Urine Drug Test Detect?

Urine drug screens (UDS) help determine misuse of the following substances:

• Amphetamines

• Barbiturates

• Benzodiazepines

• Cocaine

• Marijuana

• Methadone

• Methamphetamines

• Opioids

• Phencyclidine

When abused or misused, these drugs alter how the mind and body function. Depending on the substance, users can experience slurred speech, delirium, paranoia, nausea, or breathing difficulties.

How Are Urine Drug Tests Done?

A trained medical practitioner performs the drug screening. To prevent the possibility of test alterations, they ask individuals to empty their pockets and leave their belongings in another room. 

Individuals are given a moist cloth to clean their genital area and a cup to collect at least 45 ml of urine. In some cases, a nurse accompanies the individual to ensure that correct procedures are being observed. After receiving the urine sample, the technician measures its temperature to check if it is within the normal range before securing it for testing.

How Reliable Is a UDS?

Each drug has detection times, and the more an individual uses it, the higher the chances that the UDS can detect it. For example, taking short-acting benzodiazepines three days before the screening will yield positive results.

Sometimes, individuals unknowingly consume food containing drugs, and these substances are detected in their specimens. Cut-off levels are thus applied to exclude false-positive results from such passive-exposure situations. 

If you’re a business owner or manager who wants to maintain a drug-free workplace, Lab Testing Solutions in Suwanee, GA, provides reliable screenings. For over a decade, this drug testing company has teamed up with businesses and legal officers for accurate individual drug screenings. They also provide background checks, payroll integrations, and education verification, helping you keep your business secure. If you have any questions regarding drug tests, send them a message online or call (770) 932-0909.