Drug testing is an essential part of workplace compliance, legal procedures, healthcare evaluations, and safety-sensitive industries. The rise in overdose deaths across Alaska has made drug testing more important than ever for both public safety and workplace compliance. Whether you’re an employer, patient, or someone navigating a testing requirement, understanding how drug testing works can help you make informed decisions. This includes how drugs are processed in the body, how long they remain detectable, and what types of testing methods are commonly used.
Understanding Drug Metabolism
Once a drug is consumed, the body begins to break it down through a process called metabolism, primarily in the liver. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), drug metabolism occurs in two phases. In Phase I, enzymes chemically alter the drug through oxidation, reduction, or hydrolysis. In Phase II, the drug is conjugated with another molecule to make it water-soluble, which allows for excretion via urine, feces, sweat, or breath.
The speed and efficiency of this process vary widely depending on the substance itself, individual biology, concurrent medication use, and frequency of drug exposure.
Most Common Types of Drug Tests
The most common method of drug testing is urine testing. It’s widely used in workplaces, clinics, and probation programs because it’s inexpensive, simple to administer, and effective at detecting a range of substances. Most drugs can be identified in urine within hours of use and remain detectable for several days. In heavy cannabis users, results can stay positive for weeks. While urine testing shows past use, it cannot determine current impairment.
Hair testing is used to identify long-term drug use. As drugs are metabolized, trace amounts are stored in hair follicles, providing a record that can go back as far as 90 days. This method is common in legal and pre-employment settings. It does not detect recent use, since it takes several days for drugs to appear in hair.
Blood testing is the most accurate for detecting current drug levels. It’s often used in medical, forensic, or DUI cases because it shows whether a person is actively under the influence. However, it is invasive, costly, and has a short detection window, typically only a few hours to a couple of days.
For alcohol, breath testing is standard. It measures blood alcohol levels through exhaled air and is commonly used by law enforcement for roadside checks.
Addressing Specimen Adulteration and Tampering
In regulated testing environments, specimen tampering is a serious concern. Some individuals attempt to alter test results by diluting urine, adding chemical adulterants like bleach or vinegar, substituting the sample with synthetic urine, or manipulating the temperature to mimic a fresh sample.
Testing facilities like MedPhysicals Plus are trained to detect these efforts. Federally mandated procedures include temperature checks, chain-of-custody documentation, and visual inspections. Laboratories also conduct specimen validity testing to flag dilution, substitution, or adulteration. In certain cases, such as return-to-duty testing, directly observed collections are required to prevent manipulation.
Protecting specimen integrity ensures accurate results and maintains compliance. In safety-sensitive industries, a compromised test can pose legal risks and endanger public safety.
Need Reliable Drug Testing Services?
At MedPhysicals Plus, we provide professional, confidential, and compliant employee drug testing services across multiple locations. Whether you need one-time screening or an ongoing testing program, we offer flexible scheduling, fast turnaround, and testing options that meet your industry’s compliance standards.
If you’re unsure about which test is right for your team or business, our knowledgeable staff is ready to help. Contact us today to get started or to customize a program that fits your needs.