Despite these advantages, keep in mind the limited scope of this test type. The biggest drawback is that saliva can only detect recent drug use. Some other types of tests can track months of potential drug consumption, but saliva is a short-term measure by its nature. Also, because saliva analysis is a relatively simple lab test, it can only identify a handful of drug substances in a target's system. Generally, these include: alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, and methamphetamines. Although the specifics of what substances are tested for vary within the realm of saliva-based tests, keep in mind that the potential range for saliva options is simply not as vast as blood-based and urine-based tests.

How Saliva Drug Tests Vary from One Another

With so many saliva drug tests on the market, it can be difficult to understand the nuances between them. Some of the key differences are:

• Number of drugs tested. Types of drugs tested. Differing cut-off ranges. Design of tester devices. Readability of testers. Ease of collection. Wait time for results. FDA clearances or lack thereof. Shelf life of models. Prices per test.

These are some of the many factors to consider when comparing and contrasting the many options available on the market.

Choosing the one to Meet Your Needs With so much choice available, it is important to consider needs and wants in a drug test. To whom are the tests being administered? How many tests are being administered? What drugs need to be monitored? Is there a specific cut off range that is important to track? These are some of the many questions to consider.

For those administering a large number of tests, price is likely one of the key considerations. Typically, these tests that are least expensive had the simplest designs and track the fewest number of drugs. For organizations adopting very specific drug cut-off limits, models with customizable and sensitive range options are ideal. These models tend to have more complicated reading devices in order to display unique number ranges. For those attempting to track the use of a specific type of drug, models with extensive substance analysis may be the best choice in order to ensure the undesired substance is included in the test. For example, those seeking to measure the incidence of alcohol in recovering alcoholics will need tests that cover that substance.

With an abundance of choices, there is a drug testing option to meet practically every need. Whether drug tests are a smart decision for your family, your business, or your institution, you can find one that meets your needs.

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