The time it takes to get the results of a drug test can vary depending on several factors, including the type of test being conducted, the testing facility or laboratory’s policies and procedures, and the specific drugs being tested for. Here are some general guidelines:
- Urine Drug Test (Standard): In many cases, standard urine drug tests can provide preliminary results within a few minutes to an hour after the sample is collected. However, confirmation testing, which is often done for positive initial results, may take an additional 1-3 days or longer to complete.
- Rapid Urine Drug Test: Some drug tests, known as rapid or instant tests, can provide results within a matter of minutes, typically on-site at the testing location. However, these rapid tests may have limitations in terms of the number of substances they can detect accurately.
- Hair Drug Test: Hair drug testing can take longer to provide results. It usually involves cutting a small sample of hair close to the scalp and sending it to a laboratory for analysis. Results for hair drug tests may take several days to a week or more.
- Blood Drug Test: Blood drug tests are often processed in a laboratory, and the results can take a few days to a week to become available.
- Saliva Drug Test: Saliva drug tests are relatively quick, with results usually available within a few minutes to an hour. However, like urine tests, confirmation testing may take longer.
- Fingernail Drug Test: Fingernail drug testing, which involves analyzing the keratin in fingernail clippings, can take several days to a week for results to be processed.
It’s important to note that while initial results from rapid tests may be available quickly, any positive results often require confirmation through a more thorough and accurate method, such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) or liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Confirmation testing helps reduce the likelihood of false positives.
The specific turnaround time for drug test results can also vary by the testing facility, and some facilities may offer expedited processing for an additional fee.
If you are required to take a drug test for employment, legal, or other purposes, it’s advisable to ask the testing facility or your employer about their expected turnaround time for results. Additionally, the specific drugs being tested for and the type of test used can impact the timeline for receiving results.