For many people, the thought of drug testing can be an unpleasant one. After all, you may not like getting tested at all or think it’s a waste of time. But let us tell you that in some cases, drug tests are actually necessary and can help you avoid a lot of trouble by showing your employers, colleges, schools, and others that you’re clean.
Before we get into how to prepare for a drug test, though, let’s take a look at what it is and why you might need one.
What Is a Drug Test?
A drug test is a common way to find out if someone is using illegal drugs or has taken them recently. The most commonly used tests are urine screens, hair follicle samples, oral fluid samples, and blood tests. These are all done because they provide a good indicator of whether a person is currently using illegal substances or has recently done so.
You will usually have to go to a lab where the drug test will be performed. Your sample will then be analyzed with a machine. If the results show positive, you will probably need to meet with a counselor who can explain to you what your options are and what you should do next.
Some employers may also use saliva tests, which involve swabbing the inside of your mouth. This is more invasive than other forms of drug testing but is still considered safe by the FDA.
The main reason that drug tests are so prevalent today is because of the large number of people who work in industries where it’s important to know whether their coworkers are cheating on drug tests. For example, if you work in law enforcement, medical field, or any other industry where you come into contact with drug users, it could make a big difference if you catch them in the act.
In addition, there are lots of situations where drug tests are required for safety reasons. You may find yourself working in a factory that requires employees to wear protective clothing during certain times of day. Or perhaps you work in a place where you have to perform tasks that require heavy machinery. In these cases, having a drug-free employee on the job can save lives.
If you are interested in finding out about specific types of drug tests, including how to prepare for them, read on!
There are different types of drug testing machine which are available in major test labs. They make proper use of these machines as they do each and every test which states that a product is drug or doped free. This is necessary step as nowadays everyone is taking health supplements in order to get their health better so if they are having drugs inside than what people will take.
Preparing for Drug Tests
As we mentioned above, before you go to be tested for drugs, you’ll need to gather up everything you need. Here is a list of things you should bring with you when going to have a drug test done:
Your personal information (name, birth date, address)
Any prescription medication you take
Personal hygiene items (toothbrush, toothpaste, razor, deodorant, soap, makeup, etc.)
Documents proving legal status (for example, Social Security card, passport, driver’s license, proof of citizenship, immigration papers)
Proof of income (pay stubs, W-2 form, tax documents, bank statements)
Proof of education (diplomas, transcripts, SAT scores, LSAT scores, GED, ASVAB score, military records)
Photographs of your children
Any identification cards you carry (student ID, credit cards, health insurance cards)
Money, if needed
Lipstick or nail polish
Clothes you plan to wear to the test site
We hope this guide helped you understand what drug testing is and how it works. If you would like to learn more about preparing for a drug test, check out our articles below:
Here are some helpful hints to follow once you arrive at your drug testing facility:
Bring a change of clothes and shoes, as well as a towel to sit on while waiting for your results.
Get there early enough to fill out paperwork and wait for your appointment.
Make sure your sample is fresh. It must be collected within three days of your last dose of marijuana or drug use, or you won’t be able to give a valid specimen.
Do not eat, drink, smoke, chew gum, or snack while waiting for your results.
Be honest with the counselor about anything that happened since your last test. Don’t lie about any past drug use.
There are plenty of different ways to prepare for drug testing, but the best thing to do is to be proactive about it. Make sure you don’t leave anything to chance, so that you can stay on top of any potential problems.