Difference Between A Drug Screen and A Drug Test (With Table)

Although “drug screen” and “drug test” are frequently synonymous, they are not equivalent. Both techniques are designed explicitly for substance remnants in your bloodstream to see if you have been using banned drugs.

The main distinction is that a drug test is far more precise than a drug screen (though it takes longer and costs more). Knowing the difference between the two is crucial so you can plan to pass without a problem!

Drug Screen vs Drug Test

The main difference between a drug screen and a drug test is that drug screening can be done to analyze the availability of drugs in the body. Still, for confirmation, it is followed by a drug test, as a drug screen can only detect a limited number of drugs.

A person does drug screening to rule out the presence of alcohol or drug use illegally. The sample can be collected by blood, urine, hair, or saliva to determine the presence of alcohol or drug consumption by authorized organizations. 

A drug test is a technical term for examining a specimen like urine, hair, sweat, blood, or saliva to detect the presence or absence of metabolites. Drug testing is done on high-performing athletes who take steroids before their performance.

Comparison Table Between A Drug Screen and A Drug Test

What is A Drug Screen? 

When you take drugs and get high, the drug breaks down into the body in its simpler metabolites, which are nothing but the chemical components of that drug.

Drug screening can be done by a person hired via the process of applications, and only he can screen out or conduct tests on suspected people. The state has given the permit to test for illegal consumption of drugs or alcohol in an office area.

So, whenever you get a chance to undergo a drug screening, these remnants of metabolites can be detected easily.

The drug screening can be done anywhere and anytime by collecting the blood, urine, and saliva samples, and the authorized person can detect the presence of the drug in the body.

The positive test indicates that you have recently been under any medication or might have taken it, and to confirm it, the sample is sent to the lab for a drug test. 

What is A Drug Test?

A drug test is a formal way of conducting tests by collecting samples from the person to collect evidence on substance abuse. This testing is carried out in the following manner:

• Students, athletes, and inhabitants are just a few examples of how drug testing is done. 
• Individuals who are about to pertain or hold specific types of job professions (e.g., aviators, truck drivers)
• Individuals who had a car, watercraft, or workplace accident were under the influence of drugs.
• Individuals who have tried suicide in a controversial means
• The one under probation or any therapy as sentenced by the Court.
• Individuals who are enrolled in a substance abuse treatment program or rehabilitation 

In drug tests, the sample is mostly taken from blood, urine, and saliva and is used to detect the presence of drugs in the body, and it might take up to four to seven days to show the results.

Although the law prohibits it, it is mandatory for all athletes for employers to go under drug tests.

The drug tests are used as confirmatory tests as many screenings do not detect LSD, GHB, or opioids easily, and then the role of drug tests increases.

Main Differences Between A Drug Screen and A Drug Test

1. The drug screen gives results quickly, which may not be as accurate as you can get the confirmatory results from drug tests, and it has a greater level of accuracy. 
2. Drug screening can be done by any person, whether an officer, employer, etc., to analyze the presence of drugs or alcohol in the blood as it gives results in a few minutes. At the same time, drug tests take time to provide accurate results.
3. The drug screening showing positive results requires confirmation from the drug test not to give false findings as it is illegal, and the suspect can be fined by law. 
4. An assigned person collects the samples under charge and can perform the drug screening anytime. Drug tests are conducted under the law to find illegal consumption of drugs by athletes or any professional.
5. Drug screening has no legal purpose, whereas drug tests serve the legal procedures. It follows law and order, and it is done to forbid the intake of drugs or alcohol.

Conclusion

The drug screening is budget-friendly, and a nearby drugstore can quickly do it. Most people, like officials, parents, coaches, etc., prefer drug screening before the drug test, which is quite costly.

Likewise, with the amount you are paying for drug screening, you can not get accuracy from the drug testing because the drug screen gives results quickly, which leads to false results. 

This is why one needs to go to the lab and give a sample to avoid false positives and get accurate results. So, you can opt for any of them according to your budget.