A urinalysis or uring drug testing is, by far, the most common type of drug screening test on the market.  It is cheaper than other drug screening tests including ones for hair, blood, saliva and perspiration analysis (patch).

While not as much a a blood test, a urinalysis is still considered an invasive form of testing much more so than a saliva test.  But there are benefits:

• Urine drug testing is the least expensive of the five types stated. Tests usually range from $5 to $50 for the home tests. Laboratory test are typically more due to shipping and technical costs, etc. The hair test, typically costs anywhere from $100 to $150 and a blood test can be several hundred dollars more. A home urinalysis test will be less likely to cause embarrassment when dealing with teenagers and can be administered by the parents versus strangers.  However, if legal issues are present, it will need lab verification to be considered a legal test.

• A urine drug test will usually give results for the past week and will go back even further if the subject does drugs regularly. But if the subject abstains from using drugs for a week or two or uses a home drug test beating kit, the results can show a false negative.  When tested commercially, urine samples are more stringently tested and are often given temperature tests to establish the urine is at body temperature and is not a sample from another person in an attempt to beat the test.

• Urine drug testing works by targeting body toxins; the breakdowns of illegal drugs. Toxins are stored in the fat cells of the body and in order to release these toxins into the bloodstream, these fat cells must be burned.  Once in the blood, the toxins are filtered from the subject's blood by the kidneys and sent to the bladder thereby making it possible to be detected by urine testing.

There is still another consideration, secondhand smoke from crack cocaine or marijuana can be absorbed into hair, lungs and the bloodstream.  In other words, just an association with drug users can produce a positive test result. Theoretically, you could fail both primary and secondary tests due to secondhand smoke being absorbed in your system. 

Since drug testing has become a commonplace part of many jobs and you may find yourself in the profession or position that requires it, stay drug-free and be happily employed.  You will be grateful in the long run - just ask a former drug addict - they will tell you; it is just not worth it.