How Long Do Drug Test Results Take?

What is a Drug Test?

A drug test checks your body for the presence of illegal drugs, prescription drugs, or substance abuse. These tests are commonly used by employers, medical professionals, and legal systems. They help ensure safety, compliance, or proper treatment.

A typical screening test checks for a broad range of substances. If results are unclear or positive, labs often follow up with more specific testing to confirm the presence of a specific drug.

Common Types of Drug Tests

The type of test used influences what drugs can be detected, the detection window, and the turnaround times for results.

Urine Drug Tests

Urine drug tests are the most common and widely used method for drug screening. They analyze urine samples for metabolites, chemical traces left behind after the body processes a drug. These tests typically screen for a panel of drugs, including:

• Amphetamines (including methamphetamine)
• Marijuana (THC)
• Cocaine
• Opiates (including heroin and morphine)
• Phencyclidine (PCP)

Urine tests can also be expanded to detect barbiturates, benzodiazepines, methadone, and other substances. The detection window for urine tests usually ranges from 1 to 4 days after drug use, depending on the specific drug and frequency of use. Urine tests are favored because they are non-invasive, cost-effective, and have relatively quick turnaround times.

Hair Tests

Hair follicle tests detect drug use over a longer period, typically up to 90 days, because drug metabolites become embedded in hair shafts. While hair tests provide a longer detection window, they have longer turnaround times-usually several days longer than urine tests-and are more expensive.

Blood Tests

Blood tests detect the presence of drugs in the bloodstream and are usually used in clinical or forensic settings. They have a shorter detection window (hours to a couple of days) but can indicate current impairment. Blood test results generally take 1 to 5 business days.

Saliva and Sweat Tests

Saliva tests detect recent drug use, typically within 24 to 48 hours, and are less invasive. Sweat tests involve wearing a patch that collects sweat over days or weeks, but are less common.

How Long Do Drug Test Results Take?

The typical turnaround times for drug test results depend on the type of test and the complexity of the screening.

• Urine Drug Tests: Negative tests often return within 1 to 2 business days after the lab receives the urine sample. Positive test results require confirmatory testing, which can extend the wait to 4 to 6 business days.
• Expanded Urine Panels: When testing for a wider variety of types of drugs, turnaround times may increase by 1 to 2 days, especially for positive or inconclusive results.
• Hair Tests: Negative results can take 2 to 3 days, while positive results may take up to a week.
• Blood Tests: Typically 1 to 5 business days, depending on the lab and test complexity.
• Rapid on-site tests: Provide preliminary results within minutes but require lab confirmation for positive results, which adds days to the process.

Negative tests are usually faster because the initial screening test can quickly rule out drug presence. Positive or inconclusive results require more sophisticated confirmatory testing methods like gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), which are more accurate but take longer.

What Factors Can Delay Drug Test Results?

Several factors influence how quickly drug test results are reported:

• Need for Confirmatory Testing: Initial screening tests can produce false positives or inconclusive results. Confirmatory tests such as GC/MS are more specific and take additional time to perform.
• Type of Drug Tested: Some specific drugs require more complex testing protocols, which can add to turnaround times.
• Sample Handling and Chain of Custody: Proper collection and transport of urine samples or other specimens are critical. Any breaks or issues in the chain of custody can delay processing.
• Laboratory Workload and Location: Samples sent to distant or busy labs may experience longer shipping and processing times.
• Holidays and Weekends: Most labs operate Monday through Friday. If you take a test before a holiday weekend, expect a longer wait.
• Detection of Sample Tampering or Adulteration: If a sample is suspected of being diluted or adulterated, additional testing is needed, extending the timeline.

What Medications Cause False Positive Drug Tests?

False positive tests occur when a drug test incorrectly indicates the presence of an illicit drug or substance abuse when none is present. This can happen due to cross-reactivity with prescription medications or even certain foods.

Common Medications That May Cause False Positives

• Antidepressants: Drugs like venlafaxine, sertraline, trazodone, and bupropion can cause false positives for amphetamines or benzodiazepines.
• Decongestants: Pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine, common in cold medicines, may trigger false positives for amphetamines.
• Over-the-Counter Medications: Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and dextromethorphan (cough suppressants) can cause false positives for opioids or PCP.
• Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Ibuprofen and naproxen have been linked to false positives for marijuana or benzodiazepines.
• Antibiotics: Some quinolone antibiotics like levofloxacin and ofloxacin may cause false positives for opiates.
• Antipsychotics: Quetiapine can cause false positives for methadone or opioids.
• Proton Pump Inhibitors: Pantoprazole and similar drugs have been reported to cause false positives for THC (marijuana).
• Beta Blockers: Labetalol may cause false positives for amphetamines.

Foods That Can Affect Drug Tests

Poppy seeds contain trace amounts of codeine and morphine, which can lead to positive test results for opiates in urine drug tests. Eating poppy seed bagels or muffins shortly before testing can trigger false positives.

How False Positives Are Handled

When a screening test indicates a positive result, a more specific confirmatory test like GC/MS is performed. This test can differentiate between true drug metabolites and substances causing false positives. It is important to disclose any prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications you are taking before the test to avoid confusion.

What Happens If Your Drug Test Is Positive?

A positive result doesn’t always mean you’ve used illegal drugs. First, labs verify the result using confirmatory testing. Then, a Medical Review Officer may call to discuss your health history and any prescription medications you’re using.

If your result is confirmed positive and you have no valid explanation, you may face consequences, depending on the context (e.g., job offer withdrawal, legal issues, or medical review).

Substance Abuse Treatment and Rehab

Drug testing is a valuable tool for detecting illicit drugs and monitoring substance abuse. Knowing what to expect regarding drug test results and how various factors influence the process can help individuals and employers navigate testing with confidence.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, there is help available. Our rehab and treatment centers in Scottsdale, Arizona, provide comprehensive treatment tailored for each client’s needs.

Begin your recovery today and reach out to our addiction specialists.