What is a drug screening called? Understanding Drug Test Terminology

October 11, 2025 •

4 min read

A single procedure may be known by a variety of names, including “drug test,” “substance abuse testing,” and “toxicology screen,” all of which describe the process of determining a person's drug usage. This article clarifies the common terminology and procedures related to the question, what is a drug screening called?

Quick Summary

A drug screening is known by many names, such as toxicology screen, drug test, or tox screen. The specific name often depends on the context and sample type used for analysis, including urine, blood, or hair.

Key Points

Multiple Names: A drug screening is also commonly called a drug test, toxicology screen, tox screen, drugs of abuse testing, or a urine drug screen (UDS).
Context is Key: The name and type of screening often depend on the context, such as for employment (pre-employment, random), medical diagnosis (toxicology screen), or legal purposes (probation).
Variety of Samples: Tests can be conducted using various biological samples, including urine, blood, hair, saliva, breath, and sweat, each with different detection windows and invasiveness.
Screening vs. Confirmation: Most drug testing involves a two-step process: an initial, rapid screening test followed by a more accurate, lab-based confirmatory test if the initial screen is positive.
Detection Time Varies: The duration a drug can be detected depends on the substance, test type, and individual factors like metabolism and frequency of use.
Understanding Terminology: Familiarizing yourself with terms like toxicology screen, UDS, and drug of abuse testing helps clarify the purpose and procedure of the screening being performed.

The process of testing a biological sample for the presence of certain drugs or their metabolites is known by many terms. A "toxicology screen," or "tox screen," is a broad term used to detect various substances in the body, which can be critical in emergency medical situations or legal contexts. In a workplace setting, it might be simply referred to as a "drug test" or "substance abuse testing". The specific name can also refer to the type of specimen collected, such as a “urine drug screen” (UDS). Understanding this varied terminology is key to grasping the process and purpose of the test.

Common Names for Drug Screenings

Beyond the general term “drug screening,” several other names are used depending on the context and methodology. The choice of name often reflects the setting in which the test is performed or the specific substances being investigated.

Drug Test: A generic and widely understood term for any test designed to detect drugs in the body.
Toxicology Screen (Tox Screen): Often used in medical or emergency settings to check for a wide array of drugs, chemicals, or toxins that may be causing symptoms.
Drugs of Abuse Testing: A term that specifically focuses on the detection of illicit or misused substances.
Urine Drug Screen (UDS): Refers to the most common type of drug test, which uses a urine sample.
Substance Abuse Testing: A broad term that can cover testing for both illegal drugs and alcohol.

Types of Drug Screenings by Specimen

The method of collection is another major factor that influences the name and nature of a drug screening. Each specimen type has different characteristics, such as the detection window and cost, making it suitable for different purposes.

Urine Testing (Urinalysis)

Urine testing is the most common and widely used method for drug screening due to its low cost and simple collection process. It detects drug metabolites, which are the byproducts created when the body processes a substance. The detection window varies greatly depending on the substance, with some drugs like cannabis being detectable for longer periods in chronic users compared to short detection windows for occasional users.

Hair Follicle Testing

Hair testing provides a significantly longer detection window, capable of revealing a pattern of drug use over the past 90 days or even longer if body hair is used. It is a less invasive collection method and is more tamper-resistant than urine tests, making it a popular choice for employers who require a long-term usage history.

Oral Fluid Testing (Saliva)

Saliva testing, also known as a mouth swab, is non-invasive and can be performed on-site, offering a relatively short detection window of the most recent drug use. This makes it useful for detecting on-the-job impairment or recent consumption.

Blood Testing

Blood tests are the most invasive and expensive type of drug test but provide the most accurate measure of drugs or alcohol actively in the bloodstream at the exact time of collection. For this reason, it is typically reserved for post-accident testing or emergency medical situations.

Breath Testing

Primarily used to detect recent alcohol consumption, breath testing measures the Breath Alcohol Concentration (BrAC), which is used to estimate Blood Alcohol Content (BAC).

Sweat Patch Testing

This method involves wearing a patch on the skin for several days to weeks to collect sweat, which can then be analyzed for drug traces. It provides continuous monitoring, making it a useful tool in legal or rehabilitation programs.

Contexts for Drug Screenings

The reason for the test also influences its name and panel. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) sets guidelines for federally mandated workplace testing, which typically use a five-panel test.

Pre-employment testing: Conducted as a condition of employment for prospective hires.
Random testing: Unannounced testing to deter illicit drug use among existing employees.
Post-accident testing: Conducted after a workplace incident to determine if drug use was a contributing factor.
Medical diagnostic testing: Ordered by a healthcare provider to understand a patient's symptoms or monitor treatment.
Legal testing: Mandated by courts, such as for parole or probation.

Comparison of Common Drug Screening Methods


Test Type	Common Name	Detection Window	Invasiveness	Common Use
Urine	Urinalysis, UDS	Days to a few weeks (variable)	Low	Pre-employment, random testing
Hair	Hair Follicle Test	Up to 90 days (or longer with body hair)	Low	Long-term history, tamper-resistant
Saliva	Oral Fluid Test	Few minutes to 48 hours	Very Low	On-site recent use detection
Blood	Blood Drug Screen	Hours to days (shorter window)	High	Post-accident, emergency situations
Breath	Breath Alcohol Test	Hours (for alcohol only)	Very Low	Immediate alcohol impairment check

Conclusion

Ultimately, a drug screening is known by multiple names, including drug test, toxicology screen, and substance abuse testing, with the most accurate name often depending on the specific context and testing method used. Whether it is a urine test for pre-employment, a hair test for long-term monitoring, or a tox screen in a medical emergency, the purpose remains the same: to provide an accurate and reliable assessment of drug use. The prevalence of terms like UDS and tox screen highlights the importance of understanding the terminology behind these common medical and legal procedures.

For more information on the mandatory guidelines for federal workplace drug testing, visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common medical term for a drug test is a "toxicology screen" or "tox screen." A urine drug test is also frequently referred to as a "urine drug screen" (UDS).

While often used interchangeably, a drug screen is technically the initial, rapid presumptive test, whereas a drug test can refer to the more accurate, laboratory-based confirmatory test that follows a positive screen.

A 5-panel drug test is a common type of screening, especially for pre-employment, that typically detects five categories of drugs: amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, opioids, and PCP.

The detection time for a drug test varies widely depending on the type of test, the substance used, frequency of use, and individual metabolism. Hair tests have the longest window (up to 90 days), while saliva and blood tests have shorter detection periods.

A confirmatory drug test is a more sensitive and specific lab test, typically using techniques like gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), that is used to verify a positive result from an initial screening test.

Yes, certain over-the-counter medications, as well as some prescriptions and foods (like poppy seeds), can cause a false positive on an initial drug screen. This is why a confirmatory test is performed to rule out such false readings.

A breathalyzer is a specific device used to conduct a breath drug screening, primarily for detecting recent alcohol consumption and estimating a person's blood alcohol concentration (BAC).

Drug screenings are conducted by trained professionals at various locations, including specialized laboratories, hospitals, urgent care centers, and designated collection sites for employers.