Surge in Workforce Drug Test Cheating: A Growing Concern for Employers

As a leading provider in drug and alcohol testing services, CDT has noticed a disturbing trend that should be on every employer’s radar.  Employment drug test cheating is on the rise.  This issue presents significant challenges for companies committed to maintaining safe, productive, and drug-free workplace environments.

In today’s workplace, drug testing is a vital part of risk management and safety maintenance.  Employers rely on it to reduce accidents, absenteeism, and productivity losses while ensuring the health and safety of their workforce.  However, with the surge in test cheating methods, it becomes more critical to have a drug testing program that is accurate, dependable, and maintains integrity throughout the drug testing processes.  Equally important is having a program that keeps up with current drug test cheating methods.

Reasons Applicants or Employees Cheat:

  • Access to Information and Products: Marketing of drug test cheating products has increased over the years and products such as synthetic urine can be purchased over the internet. The internet has made it easier than ever to access products and methods designed to try to cheat drug tests. From synthetic urine kits to adulterants that can mask drugs in the system, many products are easily accessible and marketed.
  • Evolving Testing Methods: As drug testing methods and techniques evolve, so do methods for cheating a drug test. It is critical for companies to stay informed and updated on testing best practices.
  • Changing Attitudes Toward Drug Use: As attitudes toward certain substances, such as marijuana, become more lax and more people become regular users of these substances, statistically the applicants or employees being tested will result in a higher number of those choosing to attempt to defraud the test results.

Methods of Cheating Drug Tests

Increased knowledge regarding the latest methods used to cheat the drug and alcohol testing process will assist employers in protecting the integrity of the process against these practices. The most common methods include:

  • Synthetic Urine: Pre-mixed synthetic urine products are designed to replace real urine and may include heating pads to help the urine maintain the temperature needed to provide an acceptable sample.
  • Substitution: Individuals may attempt to substitute their own sample with another person’s urine, hoping the sample will provide a negative result.
  • Adulteration: Cheaters may add chemicals like bleach, vinegar, or commercial products to their sample in attempts to throw off the test results.
  • Dilution: Drinking excessive amounts of water before the test is a common way to dilute the sample to potentially hide the presence of drugs.

How Employers Can Combat Drug Test Cheating

 The rise in cheating does not mean employers are powerless. Here are steps you can take to protect your testing program: 

  • Utilize Professional Oversight: Partnering with a TPA like Comprehensive Drug Testing, Inc. (CDT) offers employers professional collection services, ensuring that drug tests are conducted by trained staff who know how to spot signs of cheating, tampering, or any other uncooperative behaviors during the collection or testing process.
  • Consider All Testing Methods: Consider using a combination of urine, hair, and oral fluid as each method has different detection windows and is susceptible to different forms of cheating. Hair tests, for instance, are harder to tamper with and can detect drug use over a longer period. Oral fluid naturally allows for observation during the administration of the collection.
  • Regularly Update Your Policy: It is essential for your drug and alcohol policy to remain current. Make sure it explicitly outlines the consequences of cheating and incorporates the latest testing methods and protocols.
  • Education and Deterrence: Inform your employees about the testing process, including the sophistication of current detection methods and the severe consequences of attempting to cheat. This can act as a deterrent and encourage compliance. CDT can help with flyer or notice development.

The Role of Third-Party Administrators in Maintaining Integrity

As your TPA, CDT is committed to helping you maintain a robust and tamper-proof drug testing program. By staying ahead of emerging cheating methods and offering solutions such as secure collections, advanced testing methods, and custom policies, we help ensure that your workplace remains safe and drug-free.

With drug test cheating on the rise, now is the time to act. By partnering with a TPA that understands the evolving landscape or within your industry, you can protect your workforce and your business from the risks associated with drug use and testing fraud.

For more information on how we can support your drug testing program and prevent test cheating, contact us today! Together, we can build a safer workforce through the establishment and enforcement of a state-of-the art drug testing program.