The Ultimate Guide to Pre-Employment Drug Screen Cutoff Levels

Preparation for a new job may be really thrilling until you recall that there is a drug test! Then, suddenly, your mind begins to fill with questions. What are they precisely seeking? What is the sensitivity of these tests? How about you took medicine a week ago?

Calm yourself! The idea of a drug test may be daunting enough; however, it is quite simple once you learn the mechanism behind it. This secret is known as cutoff levels; imagine them as the guidelines that determine whether you pass or fail your test.

What are Drug Screening Cutoff Levels, and what is the Purpose of Cutoff Levels?

Great question! That begins with the fundamentals. A cutoff level is like a line in the sand. It is the lowest detectable level of a drug in your system, such that the test can still indicate a positive result.

You can take it this way: suppose you are attempting to taste salt in a large bowl of soup. When it’s only a very small pinch, you may not taste it at all. But when there’s a whole spoonful, you’ll be sure to be able to taste it! Cutoff levels are the same.

So here is the reason why there are cutoff levels:

• They Eliminate False Positives

There are times when your body produces small traces of substances that can appear to be drugs on a test. There are cutoff levels that ensure these are not counted.

• They Explain Accidents

Perhaps you have consumed a poppy seed bagel by mistake. Cutoff levels guard against these innocent mistakes.

• They Give Attention to Actual Drug Use

The idea is to net those who are actual users of drugs and not a person who may have been exposed to second-hand smoke once.

• They Make Tests Fairer

They are all tested by the same standards; thus, it is fair to all.

When employers inquire about pre-employment drug screen cutoff levels, they do so with the intention of ensuring that their testing is both accurate and fair.

Do All Drug Tests Use Cutoffs or Are There Some That Are Different?

It is not the case that all drug tests are alike! It is like asking whether all cars are the same – they all have wheels and take you somewhere; however, some are faster, some are bigger, and some have other features.

The principal types of drug tests and their difference are the following:

• Urine Tests (Most Common)

These are the drug testing equivalents of ordinary cars. They are stable, cheap, and most employers use them. They normally apply cutoff levels, which we shall discuss later.

• Hair Tests (The Fancy Sports Car)

Hair tests can determine the use of drugs within the last 90 days. They are more costly yet quite comprehensive. They tend to employ lower cutoff levels, given that hair retains medications for a longer period.

• Saliva Tests (The Fast Alternative)

These become quick and simple, such as riding a bike. They identify very recent drug use (usually 1-3 days). These possess their special cutoff levels.

• Blood Tests ( The Accurate One)

They are the most precise, yet also the most costly. They are normally applied in exceptional cases such as workplace accidents.

• 5-Panel Test vs 10-Panel Test

5-panel tests screen for five common types of drugs.

• 10-panel tests detect ten types of medicines.

The cutoff levels of both types are the same for the drugs they test

The cutoff levels may vary depending on the type of test you are taking. Then it pays to understand what kind of test your employer is administering!

What Are the Standard Drug Test Cut-Off Levels for Common Substances?

And now the figures! These are not things you should memorise, but it is helpful to have an idea of what they mean.

• Marijuana (THC)

Urine test threshold: 50 nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL)

Hair test cut-off: 1 pg/mg

• Cocaine

Urine test screening level: 300 ng/mL

Hair test cut off: 500 pg/mg.

• Amphetamines (such as Adderall)

Urine test cutoff: 1000 ng/mL

Hair test optimal cutoff: 500 pg/mg

• Opiates (such as heroin, morphine)

Urine IUTC: 2,000 ng/mL

Hair drug test threshold: 200 pg/mg

• PCP

Urine test threshold: 25 ng/mL

Hair test limit: 300 pg/mg

So, just what do these numbers mean in plain English? Consider them as speed limits. Just as you must drive over the speed limit to receive a ticket, you have to consume more than the cutoff amount to test positive.

These cutoff levels are designed in such a way that, on casual or accidental exposure, you are not likely to fail. 

What happens when my Test is Positive, but just above the cutoff?

The first thing is not to panic! Just because you test positive does not necessarily put you in the woods. This is what normally transpires:

• Step 1: Confirmation Testing

Many employers will conduct a second, more accurate test to reconfirm the results. This is referred to as a confirmation test, and it serves as a second opinion alongside the doctor’s assessment.

• Step 2: Medical Review

Your results will be reviewed by a medical professional known as a Medical Review Officer (MRO). They are like referees who ensure that everything is done correctly.

• Step 3: Then It Is Your Turn to Talk

You will be given an opportunity to explain, in case you have a good reason, that the test came back positive. Perhaps you take prescription medication, or you recently had a medical procedure.

• Step 4: Documentation Check

If you are taking legal medication, you can present your prescription bottle to verify its authenticity.

• Step 5: Final Decision

The MRO will determine whether your positive test result has an acceptable medical reason or not.

And keep in mind that being slightly above the cutoff does not make your situation worse than being much above it. You have rights and options, even when the outcome is positive.

How long do Drugs stay in your system and impact your Test?

This is likely the question that everyone would like to have answered. The fact is, it varies depending on lots of things, but here are some generalities:

• Marijuana (THC)

Occasional use: 3-4 days/

Customary usage: 1-3 weeks

Heavy use: 1 month and above.

• Cocaine

Normally, 2-3 days

Severe use: one week

• Amphetamines

Normally 1-3 days

With intensive use, it can be longer

• Opiates

Typically 1-3 days

Some can be enduring

• Alcohol

Typically 12-24 hours

Prolonged drinking can be heavier

What are the Factors which Alter the Duration of Drugs?

• Your Body Size

Large individuals may metabolise drugs differently from small individuals.

• How Much You Consumed

The more you use it, the slower it leaves your system.

• Frequency of Your Use

habitual users will depict a presence of drugs in the system longer than occasional users.

• Your General Health

It may take healthy individuals with proper kidney and liver functioning time to clear drugs more quickly.

• What You Consume and Drink

You can enhance your body’s functioning by drinking plenty of water and eating a balanced, healthy diet.

• Your Age

The young people tend to metabolise drugs more quickly than the old.

The main point to keep in mind is that these are only estimates. The time may differ significantly depending on the person, as everyone is unique.

It does not have to be difficult to understand what pre-employment drug screen cutoff levels are. They have these levels to ensure that testing is fair and accurate. They are placed high to prevent false positive results due to innocent errors, yet low enough to detect actual drug use.

The most important points to note are:

• The cutoff levels are the safety margin that safeguards the innocent people
• Various kinds of tests possess varying cutoff levels
• Your body does not react to drugs in the same way as the bodies of other people do
• There are rights and options in case something goes wrong

Above all, the most effective method of passing any drug test is quite straightforward: avoid drugs! And if you are on legal medication, then be frank about it and have your prescription at hand.

Conclusion

Whether you require employment drug testing services or any other type of drug testing services, Face DNA Testing is designed to assist you and make this process as easy as possible. We know that drug testing may be a stressful experience, particularly as you attempt to figure out aspects such as cutoff levels, as well as the testing process.

Our team takes all the necessary steps and utilises the latest test mechanisms to ensure proper testing, ensuring the outcomes are accurate and impartial. If you require a 5-panel test, 10-panel test, or any other kind of screening, we will guide you through the process, panel by panel.

That is why we want to believe that each person has the right to know how their test functions and what they can anticipate. This is why we are always happy to clarify any questions and simplify the process.