In this section you will find a complete overview of all types of drug tests, their areas of application and the respective significance.
All content is explained in a medically neutral way and prepared in a way that is understandable for private individuals, employers and authorities.

1. Screening vs. confirmatory analysis

▶ Read the article: Screening vs. confirmatory analysis

2. Urine test (urine screening)

• Most common test procedure

• Long detection time

• ideal for private and workplace use

▶ To the article: How to use urine test correctly

3. Saliva test (oral fluid)

• shows very current consumption

• Ideal for traffic checks / suspicion

▶ To the article: Saliva test explained

4. Hair analysis

• Long-term proof (up to 90 days)

• forensic / expert opinion / custody

• laboratory only

▶ To the article: Hair analysis

5. Blood test

• shows active impairment

• only relevant in road traffic (CH)

• laboratory only

6. Emergency drug testing / clinic

• Intoxication detection

• Combination of Blood, Urine & Clinical Signs

▶ To the article: Intoxication guidelines

7. Drug testing in the workplace

• only with justified reason

• Standard in safety-critical areas

▶ Read more: Drug testing in the workplace

8. Drug tests in road traffic

• Screening → then mandatory blood

• THC limit in Switzerland: 1.5 μg/L

▶ To the article: Drugs in road traffic

9. Drug test pharmacy vs. private

▶ To the article: Drug test pharmacy

10. Which type of test is useful and when?

Conclusion

Drug tests differ greatly in their significance and area of application.
Private applications mostly use urine or saliva tests, while authorities and medicine use laboratory analysis as the gold standard.