Drug swab tests can detect commonly abused drugs like marijuana, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Home tests show immediate results, while professional tests may require lab readings. The type of test and drug detection time determines where the test can be obtained.
Many of the most commonly abused drugs can be tested with drug swab tests, including marijuana, heroin, cocaine, phencyclidine, methamphetamine and amphetamine. Most oral swab tests work the same way, the only differences being which drugs the test detects and how the tester gets the results. Some home tests are designed to detect a specific drug, and other professional-level tests are designed to detect a range of drugs. The time it takes to get results depends on the type of test, but home tests usually produce immediate results, and tests used by professionals are often sent to labs. Depending on who wants the test, saliva drug tests can be purchased at regular drugstores and pharmacies, from online retailers, and from companies that specialize in manufacturing drug testing materials.
Some drug swab tests are designed to target a specific drug and others are created to detect multiple types of drugs. For example, a home oral swab might be designed to detect marijuana only, while a professional-grade test might be designed to detect marijuana, cocaine, and heroin. While these tests are usually accurate, they often won’t detect the presence of a drug if the person has used it more than 48 hours before the test. Swab tests are usually much faster than other drug tests, but the time period for detection causes some drug testing professionals to use standard urine tests or even hair tests.
Aside from drug types and detection times, most swab drug tests work the same way. The test mainly consists of a cotton swab or other absorbent material. The swab is inserted and left in the person’s mouth for a certain amount of time, usually no more than a couple of minutes, to absorb the person’s saliva. Then, the person administering the test reads the results or sends the swab to a lab. Most home tests show immediate results on the swab stick, and professional-level tests may show results immediately or require lab readings.
Usually, the test itself determines how quickly the tester receives results. Most home drug testing swabs focus on specific drugs and are designed to show immediate results. For example, a parent using a home marijuana test can usually get results within minutes of their child taking the test. Some are designed to detect multiple drugs and need to be sent to a lab or conducted in a clinical setting. People who use this type of oral swab test include law enforcement officers, probation and probation officers, and employers who require drug testing before employment.
The reason for the saliva drug test determines where the tester can get the test. For example, parents can get home swab drug tests at pharmacies or online retailers. Law enforcement officials and probation officers generally obtain testing from the local or regional government agency that oversees their facilities. Employers may choose to purchase at-home swab drug tests or send job applicants to a hospital, lab, or other clinic for oral swab testing. In the end, the most important point to remember before buying or otherwise obtaining a saliva drug test is to look for or request tests that detect the specific drug or range of drugs in question.
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