Urine drug tests measure metabolites that stay in the body for longer, making them better for identifying recent and past exposure over several days. Oral fluid (saliva) tests reflect what is currently circulating in the mouth and bloodstream, so they are more effective at detecting very recent use and potential impairment.

Oral fluid tests are generally best for detecting very recent use — often within the last few hours and typically up to 24–48 hours. Certain substances, such as methadone, methamphetamine, and ketamine, may remain detectable in oral fluid for up to 2–3 days, especially with heavier or repeated use.

Because oral fluid closely reflects what is circulating in the bloodstream, it is commonly used for post-incident, for-cause, roadside, and fit-for-duty screening.

Urine testing generally provides a longer detection window than oral fluid. Most drugs appear in urine for 1–3 days, but some can extend to 4–5 days depending on dose, frequency of use, metabolism, and drug type.

Certain substances — such as benzodiazepines, methadone, and cannabis (regular use) — can remain detectable for 7–30+ days. This is why urine testing is often preferred for routine workplace screening, rehabilitation monitoring, and compliance programmes.

Both urine and oral fluid tests provide high accuracy when used correctly, typically showing >95% agreement with laboratory methods such as LC-MS or GC-MS. The main differences are the detection timeframe and the specific drug panels included on each device. Unexpected or disputed results should always be confirmed by an accredited laboratory.

Oral fluid tests are easier to supervise because the sample is collected under direct observation, making substitution or dilution extremely difficult. Urine tests rely on temperature strips and, in some cases, adulteration checks, plus robust collection procedures, to detect tampering.

Yes, provided the specific panel includes those analytes. Many AttoSure urine and oral fluid devices include cocaine (COC), cannabis/THC, amphetamines, methamphetamine (MET), ketamine (KET), MDMA, tramadol, methadone, and opiates. Always check the product description or the list of drug abbreviations printed on the device before testing.

These videos are designed for supervisors, collection officers, occupational health teams, and clinical staff who oversee sample collection and result recording. They can also be used as refresher training for staff who already have basic experience with drug and alcohol testing.

Yes. The videos support, but do not replace, your organisation’s written drug and alcohol testing policy and step-by-step procedures. Always follow local protocols, chain-of-custody requirements, and any legal or clinical guidance that applies in your setting.