How Long Does It Take To Get Drug Test Results

Waiting can be killing, particularly when you wait for your drug test results, which when favorable can land you in a lucrative job. Till the day of drug test, your mind is all about how to pass the drug test and once the test is over you become anxious to know how long it takes to get drug test results. Well, this is natural. After all, it decides your fate, almost.

It generally does not take more than a day for the result to arrive if it is a workplace drug testing. It is a common practice by employers to opt for urine drug testing, which provides results faster. If you test negative, your prospective employer will be informed about it by the lab within 24 hours. On the contrary, if you test positive, further screening will be required and the result may take a week’s time to arrive.

There are times when some results may be inconclusive. Some prescription drugs can influence test results. Such samples raise suspicion as to whether the sample were adulterated. These circumstances lead to further screening so there is a firm conclusion on whether the person that provided the sample tests positive or negative for drug use.

As for hair follicle drug test, negative results are reported within 24 hours from the time the sample is received. If the sample screening reports positive, further screening is conducted, and the result is announced within 72 hours. Hair of one and a half inch length from near the scalp is collected for screening. Unlike in case of urine drug testing in which drug use can become hard to trace if the period of use is beyond three to four days, hair follicle test detects drug use that is more than a month old.

Blood tests for drug use are not as common as urine drug testing as drugs cannot be detected after two days in blood. The results are announced quicker in a blood test if the result is negative. For positive results, it may take more than 72 hours for the result to be announced.