Several employers administer pre-employment drug tests for job applicants and conduct routine drug screenings for their employees. These screenings typically involve analyzing samples of saliva, hair, urine, or blood. Among the various methods available, oral fluid drug testing stands out as one of the quickest, simplest, and least intrusive options, involving swabbing the inside of the mouth to collect a saliva sample.
In certain sectors like transportation, drug testing might be mandated by regulations. In other industries, employers implement drug screening to deter on-site drug usage, detect employees grappling with substance abuse, and uphold the safety of both employees and customers.
Mouth swab drug tests are a type of drug screening that detect substances in someone’s saliva to identify the presence of certain prescription or illicit drugs or alcohol in their system. They may also be referred to as oral drug tests, saliva drug tests or cotton swab drug tests
- To collect saliva, a cotton swab, absorbent pad, or sponge is attached to a small stick and used to swab the inside of the cheek.
- To ensure the accuracy of the sample, individuals are typically instructed not to eat or drink for 10 minutes prior to the test, as food and beverages can impact the results.
- Mouth swab drug tests can be administered on-site, such as at an employer’s premises or at the scene of a car accident, or sent to an external laboratory for analysis.
- Oral fluid samples may be promptly analyzed on-site, often within minutes, or transported to a laboratory for more comprehensive testing.
What are the advantages of an oral drug test? Employers may choose saliva drug testing over other methods for several reasons. Conducting mouth swab tests is quick and economical, and they are less invasive compared to blood or urine tests. Furthermore, since the candidate is always observable during the process, there may be fewer concerns about sample tampering.
The substances detected by a mouth swab test depend on the type ordered, but generally include a variety such as cocaine, opiates, and amphetamines. Employers may opt for single-drug tests (like a marijuana swab test) or multiple substances, and can customize screenings, or "panels," to identify specific drugs.
As an illustration, a 5-panel screening examines the following substances:
1. Marijuana/THC
2. Cocaine
3. Amphetamines (including MDMA, MDA, and methamphetamine)
4. Opiates*
5. Phencyclidine (PCP)
A 10-panel screening encompasses:
1. Marijuana/THC
2. Cocaine
3. Amphetamines
4. Opiates*
5. Phencyclidine (PCP)
6. Barbiturates
7. Benzodiazepines
8. Propoxyphene
9. Methadone
10. Methaqualone (Quaaludes)
The accuracy of a mouth swab drug test can vary based on several factors, including:
1. The type of testing kit or device used.
2. Whether the test is conducted and analyzed instantly on-site or in a laboratory.
3. Adherence to proper mouth swab collection procedures.
4. Whether the individual has stimulated their saliva (e.g., by chewing gum), which can dilute drug concentrations.
Generally, a saliva drug test is less precise than a blood or urine test. However, a mouth swab test can not only detect THC presence but also indicate recent cannabis smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke. Typically, evidence of secondhand smoke in saliva disappears within an hour of exposure, while traces of cannabis smoking can persist in saliva for up to 12 hours after consumption.
If you aim to detect long-term drug abuse or past drug use, saliva drug tests may not be the most suitable choice. Typically, drugs remain detectable in saliva for only about 5 to 48 hours, although the detection window for mouth swab drug tests can vary depending on the substance. For example:
- Heroin: Detectable for approximately one hour.
- Ecstasy and cocaine: Detectable for up to 48 hours.
- THC (from marijuana): Detection window of up to 72 hours.
- Morphine: Detectable for up to 72 hours.
- Methadone: Detectable for up to 10 days.
In contrast, urine drug tests can detect drug use for up to 7 days, while hair drug tests can detect drug use for as long as 90 days.
Given the limitations on drug retention in saliva, oral fluid drug testing is particularly suitable for detecting recent drug use. For instance, in the aftermath of a workplace accident, conducting immediate mouth swab drug tests can help determine if anyone involved was under the influence.
