logo
Shopping Cart: empty
Home  |  Blog  |  Contact Us  |  Mobile View

Drug Screening

Are you looking for a new job? Do you want to join the military? If you do, there is a good chance you will be subject to at least one form of drug screening during the application process. In the past, this was not very important, but employers are taking a stance on drug use by their employees and they want to maintain a drug free workplace. Here is some background information on employment drug screening and workplace drug screening in general…

What Is Drug Screening?


Employment drug screening and workplace drug screening is the process of taking all the applicable candidates for a specific position and making them take a drug test. Employers don't want to hire people who are habitual drug users, so this is an easy way to get rid of those candidates before they spend time and resources interviewing them. Many times, the drug screening takes place before a candidates application is even considered - all the drug users are weeded out right at the start.

What Methods Exist


There are three main ways that employment drug screening is carried out - saliva drug testing, urine drug testing, and hair follicle drug testing. Saliva drug test: A sample of saliva is taken from the candidates mouth and analyzed for previous drug use. This is not commonly used in the drug screening process as it can only detect drug usage in the past few days. This is much more effective for on the spot drug tests and workplace drug screening. Urine drug test: A urine sample is taken from the candidate and sent to a lab for testing. This is a very effective way to determine drug use within the past week, and in some cases, up to a month for habitual marijuana smokers. Collecting urine samples can be costly, though, and sometimes it is more effective to use a hair test. Hair follicle drug test takes a hair sample from the candidate and sends it to a lab for analysis. This is the most effective way of testing for drug usage, as it is cost effective, it is quick, and it can detect drug usage up to three months in the pasts, and sometimes all the way up to half a year. The process is non invasive and the testing is very accurate. Sometimes, a combination of the above testing methods may be used - it will depend on your specific employer.

Where Are Screening Tests Used?


Drug screening tests are being used in more and more workplaces everyday. Employers have learned that a drug using employee is an employee whose productivity has been compromised, and that more often than not they are not worth the hassle to deal with. Also, many workplaces like to promote the fact that they are drug free and they gain some social respect because of that. Employment drug screening and workplace drug screening are the two most common places where drug tests are used, nut many sporting teams and military organizations use drug screening as well.

Are There Any Special Regulations?


There are a few drug screening regulations that employers must follow, but most just use the standard process laid out by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (SAMHSA) If you feel your rights have been infringed on by the drug screening process, obtain legal representation as soon as possible and they will help you determine if you have a valid case.

What Will Happen If You Fail It?


Since most drug screening tests are done before you are hired for a job, you will just be excluded from the applicant pool if you test positive. It is not like something is out on a permanent record branding you a drug user, or the police will come and arrest you, you will just not have the opportunity to continue the job applicant process. More often than not, you will just be notified in writing that you failed the drug screening process and your application is no longer being considered - that's it.

How Can You Prepare?


The easiest way to prepare for drug screening is to stop using drugs. But, since you are reading this, that is probably not the answer you want to hear, so here is an alternative one… The first step is to determine where you currently stand. When is your drug screening? When is the last time you used drugs? Now is a time to get one of the many home drug testing kits that are available in our online store to determine if you will test positive. If your test comes back negative, you have nothing to worry about, but if it is positive, you have some work to do. Next, you have to determine what kind of drug screening you will be subjected to. If it is a hair drug test, you can use a special ZYDOT Ultra Clean Shampoo and Conditioner that cleans you hair follicles. If it is a saliva drug test, you can use Ultra Wash Toxin-Cleansing Mouthwash. But, if you have to take a urine drug test, you have a few more options. You can use some of the drug detox products that are available to you to flush toxins out of your system. This, along with copious amounts of water consumption can help you pass the drug screening test with ease. If you are applying for a new job, there is a good chance that you will be asked to submit a specimen for drug testing. This is no reason for alarm, you just have to make sure you are prepared for it. If you don't use drugs, you have nothing to worry about. But, if you do, you can follow some of the procedures mentioned above to avoid detection and get that new job you have been waiting for!

Related Products