Employers and families are now relying on drug testing accuracy to confirm whether or not the person being tested is using drugs or alcohol. The advances in medical communities and science that research addiction and drugs have created precise urine drug tests.
Drug tests are now available as an over-the-counter product to be purchased at the neighborhood drug store. Throughout the world, the public has adjusted to the requirement to take a urine drug test or submit random screening to prove they are either remaining clean or demonstrating their ability to perform at their job safely.
Additionally, asking a family member, friend, or roommate to take a urine drug test is not uncommon. Substance abuse and addiction affect nearly every family and community in some way now. The FDA approves all urine drug tests and other health and medical state boards for accuracy and quick results. Drug tests are frequently required of people on probation or parole, people who work with the elderly or children, or work that involves human safety as a priority.
Who Recommends Using Drug Screening Tests?
The National Institute on Drug Abe states how effective and reliable urine drug tests have become. NIDA also says how Urine drug testing at home and in schools, and places of employment is standard and very common:
Some schools, hospitals, and places of employment require drug testing. Testing methods include pre-employment testing, random testing, reasonable suspicion/cause testing, post-accident testing, return-to-duty testing, follow-up testing. Drug tests vary, depending on the type of drug being tested and the type of specimen being collected. Urine, hair, saliva (oral fluid), or sweat can be used as test specimens. The drug tests screen for drugs as marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, phencyclidine (PCP), opioids, and alcohol. (NIDA)
Are Urine Drug Tests Reliable?
The accuracy of drug tests is well established. There are many ways people try to falsify the results of a urine drug screen. Rumors on the internet and other false claims sell flushes that require the person to drink vast amounts of water and a powder packet mixture of vitamins, herbs, and other ingredients that are said to negate the positive results. Other fictitious methods for fooling drug tests include drinking watered-down bleach, or unique types of teas, cranberry juice, or swallowing a penny. All of these methods are dangerous and do not work.
In some rare cases, the flushes mask the results. Still, at the end of the day, if someone struggles with an addiction to drugs or suffers from alcoholism, their behaviors and actions will cause alarm, and they will likely be tested again. Drug testing can be a valuable tool for abstinence from drugs and alcohol. For people trying to change and remain in recovery, drug urine tests will help hold them accountable and help them stay clean and sober. The good news is that once a recovering addict or alcoholic starts passing their urine tests honestly, they gain confidence in their new lives clean and sober.
Get Help for Drug or Alcohol Addiction
If you or someone you know needs help for their addiction to heroin, opioid prescription pain killers, cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, etc.), club drugs (ecstasy, Molly, etc.), marijuana or alcohol, and other substances there are likely a number of drug treatment programs available near you. To learn about evidence-based drug and alcohol treatment programs, reach out to one of our addiction help specialists.