Saliva Drug Testing Kits – The Facts

Drug testing can be carried out using several different sample types. Urine and saliva are among the most commonly used for rapid drug screening, while laboratory testing may also use hair, blood or other biological samples depending on the purpose of the test.

Saliva drug testing, also known as oral fluid testing, has become a widely used alternative to urine testing. Collecting a saliva sample is relatively straightforward, does not require toilet facilities and can usually be observed directly, making the process less intrusive and more difficult to interfere with.

Rapid saliva tests can also provide results within minutes. Their relatively short detection window makes them particularly useful where the aim is to identify recent drug use rather than drug use that may have taken place several days previously.

Contents

• Facts about saliva drug testing kits
• How long are drugs detectable in saliva?
• Advantages of saliva drug testing kits
• Disadvantages of saliva drug testing kits
• Saliva drug testing in the workplace

Facts about Saliva Drug Testing Kits

A saliva drug test uses oral fluid collected from inside the mouth to screen for one or more drugs. Most rapid tests use a collector or swab that absorbs saliva before the sample is transferred to, or inserted into, the test device.

The exact collection method and result time depend on the individual test kit. Some devices require a saliva collector to be inserted directly into an integrated test cup, while others use a separate test strip or cassette. Always follow the instructions supplied with the particular kit rather than assuming that every saliva test works in the same way.

Saliva drug tests are screening tests. A non-negative or positive screening result does not by itself prove drug misuse, and a result that could have legal, employment or medical consequences should be confirmed using an appropriate laboratory method.

How Long Are Drugs Detectable in Saliva?

There is no single detection time that applies to every saliva drug test. Oral fluid generally has a shorter detection window than urine, which is why saliva testing is particularly useful for detecting comparatively recent drug use.

The actual detection period can vary considerably according to the drug involved, the amount and frequency of use, the individual’s metabolism, the test’s cut-off level and the sensitivity of the testing method. Different saliva test kits can therefore give different detection windows for the same drug.

Rather than relying on a fixed number of hours or days, check the information supplied with the particular test being used. A negative result means that the drug or drug metabolite being screened for was not detected above that test’s stated cut-off level at the time the sample was taken. It does not prove that the person has never taken the drug.

Advantages of Saliva Drug Testing Kits

• Saliva collection is less intrusive than collecting a urine sample.
• Rapid screening tests can usually provide results within minutes, depending on the particular kit.
• The sample can normally be collected while being directly observed, reducing opportunities for sample substitution or tampering.
• No toilet or separate urine collection facilities are required.
• Multi-panel saliva tests can screen for several different drug groups from a single sample.
• The relatively short detection window makes oral fluid particularly useful when recent drug use is the main concern.

Disadvantages of Saliva Drug Testing Kits

• The detection window is generally shorter than with urine testing, so saliva testing may be less suitable when the aim is to identify drug use further back in time.
• Detection periods differ between drugs and between individual test kits, so a negative result should always be interpreted in relation to the test’s cut-off levels and detection window.
• Rapid saliva tests provide an initial screening result rather than the greater certainty available from confirmatory laboratory analysis.
• Saliva tests may cost more per test than some comparable urine drug testing kits.
• Sample collection and test timing must follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely to obtain a valid result.

Saliva Drug Testing in the Workplace

Saliva testing can be convenient for workplace drug screening because samples can be collected quickly and under observation. However, employers should not introduce testing simply because rapid test kits are available. GOV.UK guidance states that employers need consent to test workers for drugs and will usually have a contractual health and safety or drug testing policy setting out when and why testing may take place.

Employers considering a testing programme should ensure that it is proportionate, applied fairly and supported by an appropriate workplace policy. You can read the current GOV.UK guidance on drug testing at work for further information.

Conclusion

Saliva drug testing offers a quick and relatively straightforward way to screen for recent drug use. Its main strengths are simple observed collection, rapid results and the ability of multi-panel tests to screen for several drug groups from one sample. The shorter detection window can be an advantage when recent use is the main concern, but it also means oral fluid testing is not the best choice for every situation.

Whichever test is used, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and remember that a rapid drug test is a screening tool. Where a result may have significant consequences, appropriate laboratory confirmation should be considered.

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