Oral fluid testing is the second most utilized screening method and it detects recent drug use in the previous 24-36 hours. As with urine testing, oral fluid is suitable for all testing reasons—from pre-employment to random to post-accident. Employers typically administer oral fluid collections under the direct observation of the test administrator, which reduces the likelihood of donor tampering.
Advantages of Oral Fluids Testing
- Oral fluid testing requires a small sample that is collected under direct supervision.
- Oral fluids testing is done on demand. It discourages tactics to cheat a urinalysis test including sample substitution, adulteration, and dilution.
- Oral fluids identifies recent use of drug and closer to under the influence than urine.
- Samples easily collected, stored and shipped.
- Urine samples are considered a bio-hazard, oral fluids are not.
- Oral fluids testing is not considered "invasive" or intrusive on privacy.
- Oral fluids can be easily collected in-house with little disruption to daily activities.
Disadvantages of Oral Fluids Testing
- Shorter window of detection than either urine or hair.
- Can't identify long-term use or habitual user.
- Test subject may have “shy” salivary glands that provide a less than adequate sample.
- Not federally approved for SAMHSA or DOT.
- Can be more costly than urine, but most customers save on specimen collection fees.
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