|
Test
|
Advantages
|
Disadvantages
|
Cost
|
|
Urine
|
- Cheapest.
- Can test for alcohol, and nicotine as well as other drugs.
- Most widely used.
|
- Cheating a major problem.
- Limited window of detection (1-3 days).
- Sample collection sometimes viewed as embarrassing or invasive.
- Hazard to ship.
|
About $10-20
Higher cost for steroid detection
|
|
Hair
|
- Longer window of detection, 3 months.
- Does not deteriorate.
- Can identify chronic users. Collection is easy.
- Hard to cheat.
- Detects alcohol/cocaine combination and ecstasy use.
|
- More expensive.
- Test usually limited to basic 5-drug panel.
- Cannot detect alcohol.
- Will not detect drug use within past 1-7 days.
|
About $40
|
|
Saliva
|
- Sample obtained under direct supervision.
- Hard to cheat.
- Not embarrassing.
- Samples can be collected easily.
- Can detect alcohol use.
- Reflects recent drug use. (24 hours)
|
- Short detection window.
- Less sensitive than other testing methods when testing for marijuana.
|
About $10-20.
|
|
Sweat Patch
|
- Non-invasive.
- Variable removal date 1-7 days.
- Tamper-proof.
- Quick application and removal.
- Longer window of detection.
|
- Limited number of labs available to analyze result.
- People with skin eruptions or cuts cannot wear patch.
- Most useful in follow-up after drug treatment.
|
About $10-20.
|
