What’s The Turnaround Time For Getting A Drug Test Back?
Have you ever felt like your drug test is taking too long? And if it was negative, you’d know by now, right? Right??
Whether you’re waiting for probation, a medical procedure, or a pre-employment drug test, the days after can feel extra long. This is especially true if there’s something from your past that you’re worried might show up.
It can be a lot less intimidating when you realize that the longer time isn’t always something bad.
This guide from Purpose Healing will answer your questions about how long does it take for drug test results, and what steps to take in the meantime if you’re worried about the results.
How Fast Do Drug Screening Results Come Back?
Drug tests don’t all follow the same timeline. You might only need to wait for a few minutes. Others can take several days, especially if your drug test needs to be sent to a lab or confirmed using a more advanced drug test.
You can usually expect results in 24-72 hours, but it could be longer. Things like the type of test, what drug is being screened for, and even how busy the lab is can affect when you’ll get your result back.
The Most Common Types of Drug Tests and Their Result Times
Not all drug tests are created equally. Some process samples a lot faster than others, though those that take longer are usually more accurate. A quick, urine drug test, for example, is most likely to produce a false positive.
How Long Do Urine Drug Testing Results Take?
Many employers and court officials use a urine drug test. These are quick, affordable, and fairly easy to use. You don’t need lab equipment or a special degree to use them. A urine drug test might also be used for random drug testing.
Negative results process fast, usually within 24 hours. If your test is positive, inclusive, or flagged for some reason, though, it can take 2-3 business days or longer.
How Long Does a Saliva Drug Screening Take to Process?
Saliva tests are usually only good for detecting drug use within hours of being ingested. With this short timeline for testing, they’re most common in the workplace. They might be used after a car accident, on the roadside, or in the workplace for random tests.
Negative results are usually available within a few hours, up to a day. If your results need to be confirmed because they were positive, it can take 2-3 days. Like a urine drug test, they also need lab confirmation to ensure accuracy.
How Long Do Blood Drug Tests Take?
Not everyone is qualified to draw blood samples, so blood tests aren’t as common as urine testing. They need trained medical personnel and specialized equipment. But blood tests do have the best chance of identifying whether you’re currently impaired.
These tests are processed within 24-48 hours for the initial screening. Usually, a much more thorough analysis is done on blood samples. Full confirmation or toxicology reports take up to one week. Usually, this test is used in medical emergencies, DUI investigations, or situations involving federal oversight.
How Long Do Hair Follicle Drug Test Results Take?
Hair follicle tests can test up to 90 days, looking for signs of long-term drug use. They are more detailed, so hair tests have a longer timeline for processing.
Standard hair tests take 3-7 business days for the first round of results. It can take up to 10 days for extensive confirmation.
What are the Factors That Affect Drug Test Turnaround Time?
Even if you walk into a drug testing center for the same test, on the same day as another person, there’s no guarantee you’ll get results at the same time. Labs, employers, and testing requirements all play a role.
Do Different Drugs Take Longer to Produce Positive or Negative Results?
When your body breaks substances down, the process creates metabolites. These drug metabolites are what different drug tests look for. But your body doesn’t break all these substances down the same way.
Illicit drugs like cocaine or amphetamines can be processed by your body after a few days. Since there’s a much shorter detection window, a blood or urine drug test will usually show clear, rapid results.
Marijuana has a much longer detection window, so it needs additional confirmation. This confirmatory test detects levels of THC to determine your smoking habits. Benzodiazepines might also require more specific confirmatory testing.
How Do Drug Use Patterns Affect Waiting Times?
If the hair, saliva, blood, or urine sample shows any irregularity, labs may retest or run multiple confirmations. They are thorough when confirming results. Usually, this irregularity is unexpected levels, abnormal dilution, or detection of multiple substances. Each extra step that they take is going to add processing time.
Do Pre-Employment Drug Tests Take Longer Than Others?
Yes, it can take time for pre-employment drug testing, even if you don’t have a positive or irregular result. Employers typically use third-party labs. Each test site might have hundreds of samples being processed every day.
The timeline depends on the employer’s testing policy, if there’s a lab backlog, and if a confirmation test is needed. It might also take longer if you have to be contacted by a Medical Review Officer (MRO) to get your results.
Still, it usually takes 2-4 business days to get your results from pre-employment screening, unless something in your screening test needs further review.
Why Do Positive Test Results Take Longer?
Under federal guidelines, tests that show a possible positive require labs to verify the result. This is because many initial tests use a saliva test or a urine drug test. These are quicker and cheaper, but more likely to produce a false positive. This is why it’s only the first step for probation testing, employee drug testing, and pre-employment drug tests.
The testing process can be a lengthy one. First, the sample has to be moved or transported to a certified confirmation lab. You’ll need your over-the-counter and prescribed medications to be reviewed by a Medical Review Officer. Then, employers have to wait for verified documentation with your results.
It takes a long time because final determinations have to meet strict accuracy standards. A positive test result for illegal drugs can come with severe consequences.
How Long Does it Take to Confirm a False Positive Result?
False positives can happen because of prescription medications, supplements, certain foods, or even errors. It can take 48-72 hours to confirm a test, or up to a week if documentation needs to be reviewed. The MRO may also contact your doctor about prescription drugs.
This might slow the process down even more. So, no news is good news. Try not to worry until it’s time to worry, unless you’ve been struggling with substance abuse.
If you’ve been struggling, there’s no better time than now to consider professional help. Starting addiction treatment before you get a positive result shows accountability. It shows that you know you have a problem and you are trying to make a change.
Do On-Site Drug Test Centers Provide Instant Results?
Some pre-employment drug testing centers offer rapid or “instant” results, usually for urine or saliva tests. You’ll have the test results in as early as 5-10 minutes.
Still, keep in mind that the preliminary result isn’t official until it’s confirmed. And, if you produce a non-negative result, then the sample will need to be sent off to a certified laboratory. Employers and courts rarely rely on these rapid tests alone.
How Drug Test Centers Process Samples
Like anything processed by a medical facility or lab, there’s a standard “chain-of-custody” procedure that has to be followed. This ensures your results are accurate and not tampered with.
This process starts with collecting and sealing the sample. The chain of custody is documented as the sample is sent to a lab, run through the initial screening, and then confirmed. From here, the results are sent to the employer, court, or agency that requested them. Depending on the specifics, you might also be contacted about your positive or negative result.
When Do Samples Get Sent to a Lab for Federal Regulations Compliance?
Tests covered under federal guidelines, such as Department of Transportation (DOT) drug screening, follow stricter protocols than pre-employment testing or random testing at work. This means your sample might be lab-tested if:
- You work in transportation, aviation, or a federal role
- You’re on probation or part of a court-ordered program
- A rapid test result is positive
- You work in a safety-sensitive position
Federal regulations are strict, and these drug screenings can take longer as a result. Certified laboratory testing, Medical Review Officer oversight, and documented chain-of-custody forms are all generally required.
Choose Purpose and Put Worries About Drug Testing in the Past
Waiting for drug test results, or dealing with a result you didn’t expect, can bring up a lot of fear and uncertainty. But you don’t have to face it alone. If illicit substance use is the reason you’re worried about your drug test, let Purpose Healing Center help.
We help people going through any part of addiction. Whether you’re trying to quit and facing unpleasant withdrawal symptoms or are looking for flexible, outpatient treatment, our accredited programs can guide you to a healthier future.
Call us to start discussing your treatment plan today, so that you can move forward with confidence. All calls are confidential, so please don’t hesitate, reach out for support now.
480-579-3319