Employment Drug Testing and Alcohol Testing

Employer Drug and Alcohol Testing

The Balance / Emily Roberts

When do employers test for drugs and alcohol? As part of the application process, job applicants may be required to be screened for drug and alcohol use. Depending on state law and company policy, employers may do this prior to making a job offer or as a contingency for an offer. Employees may be tested for drugs or alcohol in the workplace, where permitted by state law.

There are a variety of employment-related drug and alcohol tests used by employers.

The types of employment drug tests that show the presence of drugs or alcohol include urine drug tests, blood drug tests, hair drug tests, breath alcohol tests, saliva drug screens, and sweat drug screens.

Here's information on the types of drug tests employers utilize, when applicants and employees are screened, and what types of drugs are tested for.

Pre-Employment Drug and Alcohol Screening

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When do employers drug test? Employers may drug test as part of the pre-employment hiring process and also may test employees for drugs and alcohol use under certain circumstances. 

Hiring can be contingent upon passing pre-employment drug and alcohol tests. Drug testing laws vary by state. In some states, there are limits to when and how drug screening can be conducted.

In some cases, the law requires drug testing. For example, industries regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation are covered by federal or state drug testing requirements.

While employers may randomly screen employees, they must be consistent in how they drug-test applicants. They cannot selectively test some applicants for a particular job while not testing others.

Company Drug and Alcohol Test Policies

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Some companies test job applicants for illegal drug use as part of the employment hiring process. Also, employees may be screened for drug and alcohol use, where permitted by state law.

Blood Drug and Alcohol Tests

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A blood drug test may be used when job applicants or employees are screened for illegal drugs. A blood test measures the amount of alcohol or drugs in the blood at the time the blood is drawn.

Drugs that are screened for in a typical blood test for employment purposes may include amphetamines, barbiturates, phencyclidine (PCP), cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamines, opiates, nicotine, and alcohol. 

Breath Alcohol Tests

Breath alcohol test
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Breath alcohol testing devices, commonly known by the term breathalyzer, measure the amount of alcohol in the air you breathe out. The results estimate how much alcohol is currently in the blood.

Breath alcohol tests show current levels of impairment or intoxication, not past use. Generally, one ounce of alcohol stays in a person’s system for one hour. 

Hair Drug Tests

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A hair drug test, formally known as a hair follicle drug test, provides a 90-day window of drug use. It doesn’t indicate current impairment due to drugs, only past use. A hair drug test does not detect alcohol use.

Hair can be tested for cocaine, marijuana, opiates, methamphetamine, and phencyclidine. To perform the test, technicians will cut a small amount of hair close to the scalp to test for the presence of drugs in the hair shaft. 

Marijuana and Company Drug Testing

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The issue of legal medical and recreational marijuana use by employees is complicated because the federal government has not legalized marijuana.

Some states have legislation that protects medical marijuana users, others do not. For example, New York's Compassionate Care Act provides protections for employees. A patient prescribed medical marijuana is considered to have a “disability” under the New York State Human Rights Law.

Mouth Swab Drug and Alcohol Tests

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A mouth swab drug test, also known as a saliva test or oral fluids test, collects saliva from inside the job applicant’s or employee’s mouth. This test is commonly used for pre-employment screening, random or regular screening, and post-accident testing.

The saliva is tested for the use of drugs during the previous few hours up to one to two days. Saliva is easy to collect and test, so this is one of the simplest and least invasive types of drug testing. 

Urine Drug and Alcohol Tests

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A urine drug test is the most commonly used test when job applicants or employees are screened for illegal drugs or alcohol use. Urinalysis shows the presence of drug residues that remain in the body after the effects of the drug have worn off.

A typical urine drug test for employment purposes screens for drugs including amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamines, opiates, nicotine, and alcohol.

Urine tests may be required as part of pre-employment screening or may be conducted randomly by employers, especially for employees in certain occupations.

Passing a Drug Test

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Prospective employees may be required to be screened for drug and alcohol use prior to being hired. Employees may be tested for drugs or alcohol in the workplace.

What can you do if you are concerned about passing a drug test? The best way is to make sure that you don’t have drugs in your system. Learn more about how long various substances stay in your blood and urine, here. 

Workplace Substance Abuse Regulations

Urine drug test
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There are federal and state laws that provide guidelines on the policies employers can set regarding substance abuse in the workplace. Employers can prohibit the use of drugs and alcohol, test for drug use, and fire employees who are engaging in illegal drug use. 

However, employees with substance abuse issues are protected by federal and state laws regulating discrimination and disabilities.

Key Takeaways

  • Employers may test job applicants and employees for drug and alcohol use. Federal and state laws and company policies determine when and how employers test for drugs.
  • Hiring and continued employment can be contingent upon passing pre-employment drug and alcohol tests.
  • Companies must be consistent in how they drug-test applicants.
  • Employers can prohibit the use of drugs and alcohol, test for drug use, and fire employees who are engaging in illegal drug use.