The word “adulterate” means “presenting something poorer in quality by adding on another similar substance, typically an inferior one.” However, during drug testing, it is considered an illicit activity as tampering with a drug test sample can alter the results of the report, making them invalid and ineffectual. Thus, to eliminate or reduce the use of adulterants during drug testing at your organization, you should focus on combating it from both ends: prevention before facts, and detection afterward. Additionally, understanding the reasons and methods people opt for adultering their drug samples can help you strategize prevention and detection techniques.
Methods of adulteration/ substitution
While some alcohol, drug, and other substance abusers tend to carry out innovative strategies to tamper with their drug testing specimens, others stick to the following three typical techniques:
Substituting the sample with the one they know to be drug-free.
Consuming large amounts of fluid or compounds to dilute the sample or impede the process.
Adding adulterants directly to the sample.
How to detect adulterants in drug testing?
Below mentioned are some of the practical tips that can help you detect or prevent adulterants during drug testing in your organization:
Check the temperature
One of the best ways to detect adulteration or substitution of a specimen is to examine the temperature of the sample. This is because, within four minutes of collection, urine temperature should range anywhere between 90 to 100 degrees of Fahrenheit. Thus, higher or lower temperatures can indicate the likeness of adulteration or substitution of the urine sample.
Evaluate the odor
Some adulterants are known to have a strong smell. For instance, rubbing bleach, soap, alcohol, and perfume are some of the most easily detectable adulterants.
Carry out a visual inspection
Some adulterants significantly impact the appearance of the specimen. For instance, soap can generate bubbles, while other solid contaminants can leave a noticeable residue.
Test the specific gravity
A typical urine sample is known to have a specific gravity between 1.003 to 1.035. Thus, if you find a specimen’s specific gravity lower or higher than this range, the sample may be diluted.
Measure the pH
A typical urine’s pH should range between 3 to 11. However, if you find the pH outside the purview of this range, then there are high chances that the specimen has undergone tampering.
Check the validity
To verify an unadulterated urine sample, you can consider taking a validity test. This test will examine the specimen’s creatinine (a waste product generated by the body) oxidizing the agents, specific gravity, and the pH level of the sample.
