Although much of the country has legalized cannabis medically or recreationally, drug testing for THC remains active. The standard drug testing protocol always includes a panel for THC, even when there are somewhat relaxed workplace policies about cannabis use off the clock. And then, there are even more scenarios where you might have to take a drug test as a condition of employment, which can be stressful if you were unaware! Saliva drug tests are becoming more and more popular, which means every cannabis user needs to know what the risks are and how to pass them if need be.
What Is a Mouth Swab Test?
A mouth swab test is also called oral fluids testing or saliva drug testing. The process involves sweeping the inside of the cheeks or under the tongue with a cotton swab (think: giant Q-tip) to collect epithelial cells and saliva. The swab is then mixed with a liquid solution and analyzed for the presence of metabolites.
Who Uses Saliva Drug Tests?
Saliva testing is most often used by employers. While urine testing used to be the most common method, saliva drug tests are gaining traction. They are much less invasive, quick, and affordable, and you can administer a test just about anywhere. Because they have such a short detection window, mouth swab testing is the go-to choice in the event of a workplace accident or if an employer suspects an employee is high on the job.
Saliva testing is also used by law enforcement for similar reasons. If someone is pulled over for suspicious activity, it can be cumbersome to obtain a blood draw to determine current intoxication from substances like THC. However, a saliva test is a good substitute in this scenario.
How Accurate is a Mouth Swab Test?
Mouth swab accuracy is largely determined by the quality of the test and how well the administrator was able to collect a sample. Instant mouth swab kits aren’t nearly as accurate as those performed in a lab, and human error can easily interfere. If done correctly, saliva testing is almost 98% accurate.
Still, urine and blood tests are typically more accurate than saliva drug testing.
How Long Does THC Stay in Your Saliva?
The detection window for THC in your saliva ranges anywhere from five to 48 hours. Anything under five hours is sure to show up so long as the test was administered correctly. Still, there are plenty of things that can affect this timeline. Some users have tested positive for THC up to three full days after their last use. Others have been able to take just one hit and test negative a couple of hours later.
Dosage and frequency of use matter as it does with all types of drug testing. Someone who hits a vape pen several times a day will likely test positive for much longer than someone who took one hit.
What Other Drugs Can a Saliva Test Detect?
Since saliva testing is often used by employers, it tests for more than just THC. Suspicious behavior at work (or an unexpected accident) can be related to any number of intoxicants on the job. Most saliva tests can detect the following:
- Alcohol
- Amphetamines
- Barbiturates
- Benzodiazepines
- Cocaine
- Marijuana
- Methamphetamine
- Opioids
- Opiates
- Phencyclidine
Keep in mind that many states (even if you have a prescription for medical marijuana) have a workplace policy, so be sure to know the rules at your place of employment.
How to Prepare for a Saliva Drug Test
When you need to cleanse your system of THC, the best thing you can do is stop the use of all cannabis products immediately. And while it’s not a proven method for cheating a test, a little extra oral hygiene doesn’t hurt. Floss, brush your teeth, use a tongue scraper, and gargle a mouthful of Listerine. If you suspect you have a saliva drug test on the horizon and have some time to prepare, a detox kit is your saving grace.
Not only can a detox kit help you pass a saliva test, but it will ensure you pass a urinalysis in the event that it comes up. If you are given at least five days to get clean, your best bet is a 5-day detox kit from Pass Your Test. This is the no messing around kit that will help you permanently cleanse your system of unwanted toxins. So long as you do not reintroduce any toxins, you’ll stay clean for the foreseeable future.
The 5-day detox kit comes with highly targeted herbal capsules that kickstart your body’s detox process so you can flush fast. Plus, it comes with a cleansing guide and meal plan so you can support your body holistically. Use the two included at-home drug tests to track your progress before the actual testing day.
If you have more time to prepare, you can try a 10-day detox kit. This kit includes the same great stuff from the 5-day version but with three at-home tests. Both kits grant you access to customer support via phone call or online chat to answer any questions you have about the detox or testing process.
While drug testing sucks, Pass Your Test makes it a lot less stressful by bringing you the most trusted detox products on the market. Head to their site and shop today.
A good picture showing white mold next to cannabis trichomes.
