| Type of Test |
Pros
|
Cons |
Window of Detection |
|
Urine
|
- Highest assurance of reliable
results
- Least expensive
- Most flexibility in testing different drugs,
including alcohol and nicotine
- Most likely of all drug-testing methods to withstand |
- Specimen can be adulterated, substituted, diluted
- Limited window of detection
- Test sometimes viewed as invasive and embarrassing
- Biological hazard for specimen handling and shipping to lab |
- Typically 1 to 5 days |
|
Hair
|
- Longer window of detection
- Greater stability (does not deteriorate)
- Can measure chronic drug use
- Convenient shipping and storage (no need to
refrigerate)
- Collection procedure not considered invasive or
embarrassing
- More difficult to adulterate than urine
- Detects alcohol/cocaine combination use |
- More expensive
- Test usually limited to basic 5-drug panel
- Cannot detect alcohol use
- Will not detect very recent drug use (1 to 7 days prior to test)
|
- Depends on the length
of hair in the sample. Hair grows about a half-inch per month, so 1,5-inch
specimen would show a 3-month history. |
|
Saliva
(Oral Fluids)
|
- Sample obtained under
direct observation
- Minimal risk of tampering
- Non-invasive
- Samples can be collected easily in virtually any environment
- Can detect alcohol use
- Reflects recent drug use |
- Drugs and drug metabolites do not remain in oral fluids as log as they do in urine
- Less efficient than other testing methods in detecting marijuana use |
- Approximately 10 to 24
hours |
|
Spray
(Sweat Patch)
|
- Non-invasive
- Variable removal date (generally 1 to 7 days)
- Quick application and removal
- Longer window of detection than urine
- No sample substitution possible
|
- Limited number of labs able to process results
- People with skin eruptions, excessive hair, or cuts and abrasions cannot wear the patch
- Passive exposure to drugs may contaminate patch and affect results |
- Patch retains evidence
of drug use for at least 7 days, and can detect even low levels of drugs 2
to 5 hours after last use |
DETOX INFO
THC Marijuana Cannabis Drug Urine Test - $3.99
