December 13, 2024

Litum Health

Health Blog

What Makes the mouth swab drug test So Special?

2 min read

A mouth swab test is a kind of drug test that analyses saliva for the presence of drugs or alcohol. Employers often utilise these tests because of how quickly and easily they can be given. Read on to find out what a mouth swab drug test is and how you should respond if your employer asks you to do one.

The Drug Testing Mouth Swab

During a drug test, saliva is collected by swabbing the inside of a person’s mouth. Once the saliva is received by the lab, it will be analysed. Although there are instant-read mouth swab drug tests on the market, they are seldom used by employers since the SSA has not included them in the Oral Fluid Mandatory Guidelines. Federal contractors are required to adhere to the standards, and a sizable number of private businesses have also made them part of their own internal policies.

What is the procedure?

Drug use may be detected with a mouth swab drug test as recently as a few days ago. Saliva tests have been shown to be accurate for detecting not just alcohol and marijuana but also cocaine, amphetamines, and methamphetamines. Employers often utilise mouth swab drug tests because they are less expensive than other forms of testing. This kind of drug screening is the least invasive and most convenient since saliva can be collected and tested with little effort. Exams may often be performed locally, which greatly increases their efficiency. Drug testing through oral swab may detect a wide range of substances. Drug usage, both current and historical, may be detected with a simple mouth swab test. They have the ability to recognise substances for up to 48 hours after ingestion. Factors like how often a drug is used and how much is ingested contribute to a wide range of detection windows.

Only the mouth?

There is a diverse variety of industries that employ oral drug testing. Many companies have rules outlining the circumstances under which job applicants and existing employees may be asked to submit to drug testing. Legislation might be enacted requiring testing of workers in fields like transportation and safety, for example. Many government jobs in the United States require successful completion of a drug test. The rules and regulations regulating drug testing vary from one state to the next. 

Sense for Employers

Employers often do mouth swab drug test through oral swab at the following times and locations: These tests are often administered before an offer of employment is extended. This drug test is one component of a larger pre-employment screening procedure that will involve additional verification steps. Oral drug tests may also be conducted in advance of a promotion.