Getting a handle on your lifestyle or finding a new job could involve taking a number of drug tests. If you’re not sure what to expect from lab testing, using a drug testing kit designed for home use can prepare you. Of course, you must first find accurate tests you can rely on. Find out what you need to know about drug test kits and where to order them.
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What Are Drug Test Kits?
Testing kits allow you to sample bodily fluids like urine and saliva and use them to determine if drugs have been used recently. You can use the tests to monitor your own results or request that a family member or employee use them. Some of the kits involve sending the samples back to a lab for extra accurate results, while others provide nearly instant results without the need to wait for lab testing.
Why Use These Kits
- Prepare for a pre-employment test or random drug test at work
- Check up on a family member that you suspect of abusing drugs
- Ensure that someone you’re caring for is taking their medication, which requires a specialized lab test
- Determine if you’re experiencing false positives due to something you’re taking.
How to Use At-Home Drug Test Kits
Start by choosing the right test for what you want to measure. Some tests require a swab from the mouth, while others rely on samples of urine, blood, or hair instead. Only saliva and urine tests can offer quick results at home. Other types of drug test kits will require lab testing to reveal results, which can take a few days to a week.
Make sure you’re storing the kit at the recommended temperature and humidity level before using it. Careful handling is required for accuracy. Read all of the instructions and follow them carefully when collecting a sample. Mishandling the saliva swab or urine sample could result in a false positive or negative. If you’re collecting hair or a blood sample, prepare the skin or hair as directed for accurate lab testing results.
How Accurate Are At-Home Drug Test Kits?
The accuracy of home drug test kits can vary quite a bit. Some claim an accuracy rate as high as 99%, but this is only possible with perfect handling and conditions. Even professional lab tests have shown a false positive rate of around 5% to 10%, while false negatives have been reported at a rate of around 10% to 15%. You can expect a similar rate for most drug test kits you can order online. Still, this gives you a fairly high level of accuracy that can give you a good idea of what to expect if you’re undergoing professional drug testing.
The Top Three Drug Test Kits to Try
1. Easy@Home 5 Panel Instant Drug Test Kit
Not only does this kit provide results in as little as five minutes, it tests for five common substances:
- Marijuana
- Opiates
- Cocaine
- Benzodiazepines
- Amphetamines
The kit even includes five sensitive tests. It’s one of the most affordable options, helping you get the results you need without spending too much.
2. Identify Diagnostics 12 Panel Drug Test Cup
Despite testing for 12 different substances, these easy-to-use test cups provide answers in just 5 minutes. There’s no need to ship them off to a lab for results. You can use these tests for methadone, ecstasy, barbiturates, buprenorphine, and other substances that you can’t always measure with other home tests.
3. Exploro Highly Sensitive THC Test Strips
Need to keep track of your THC levels to make sure they’re under a specific amount? Or are you planning to taper off your usage and get a clean urine test by a specific date? Pick up a 15-pack of these strips that pick up the smallest amounts of THC.
How to Order Your Drug Test Kits Online
Try to order the drug test kits you want directly from the manufacturer when you can. This will give you a set of tests with a recent manufacturing date, ensuring you have as many months as possible to use them. If you can find a great deal on the kits from a testing retailer, it’s likely worth trading a few months towards the expiration date.
Staying on top of your own results from drug testing can empower you to make the right choices and seek out positions that only test for specific substances. Choose reliable drug test kits that you can use over and over again to track how your system responds to different lifestyle choices.
