There is one question that is being asked more frequently than one might expect, and this is whether nicotine appears on a drug test or not. And when you wonder about this, you are certainly not the only one! It is, in fact, quite a clever thing to be wondering about, and here we are to provide you all with answers that you might require.
We will explore the nicotine and drug testing world together. To make it easygoing and enjoyable, we will keep everything simple, fun, and, most importantly, useful. Imagine this as a friendly conversation with a medical professional who is prepared to clarify everything for you.
Do People Test Commonly for Nicotine in Drug Screens?
The simple way to get it is this: Nicotine does not generally appear on your typical drug test. The typical workplace drug test checks the presence of drugs such as marijuana, cocaine and other illegal drugs. However, Nicotine is sometimes tested by some employers, particularly those employers who provide health insurance benefits. Since smoking drains a lot of money from the insurance companies, some companies are eager to know whether their employees smoke tobacco.
The bright side here is that testing nicotine is not widely practised. It is nothing that you need to give a thought to most of the time. However, just like most things in life, it never hurts to inquire about what they are testing, in case you are concerned.
Which Tests are used to Determine Nicotine Use?
Your nicotine tests have many drug test types which can detect it:
- Urine Tests: These are the most common. They will be able to detect nicotine within a 3–4-day period since the last time you used it. Simple and rather precise.
- Blood tests are not common, but they are accurate. They will be able to identify nicotine within 1-3 days. These can be done in most of the drug test lab facilities and are normally reserved for special circumstances.
- Hair Tests – These are drug tests that assess long-term memory. They can detect the use of nicotine even up to 90 days! That is three months.
- Breath Tests – these are extremely short-term. They can work a few hours after smoking.
Nicotine is a chemical that is found in tobacco and leads to nicotine addiction. Nicotine addiction creates a problem for those who are striving to get out of this situation, and the question is how long nicotine remains in the body.
Nicotine is going through your body quite fast, but it does not go completely, leaving a calling card called cotinine. It is what most tests examine.
This is the timeline:
- Light smokers: 13 days
- Frequent smokers: 3-5 days
- Heavy smokers: up to 10 days
- Hair tests: 90 days (and bear in mind that these are unusual)
Your body will be treated as a special machine. How quickly you clear nicotine can be influenced by such factors as your weight, the amount of exercise you take and even genetics. People are fortunate and pass away in record time, while others spend longer.
Does Secondhand Smoking Trigger the Positive Nicotine Test?
The simple answer is yes, but in extreme cases, it can be yes. When you are exposed to heavy smokers regularly, such as living together with a person who smokes inside the house regularly, you may take up small quantities of nicotine. However, in most cases, secondhand smoke will not result in a positive test in most people. Nevertheless, when you are having an exam, you must avoid smoking areas several days before the exam.
What is the Rationale of Nicotine Testing by an Employer?
- Victory through prosperity: money speaks, and nicotine is one of the reasons why it matters to employers. The following reasons are the principal ones:
- Insurance Premiums- Smokers are expensive to insure. Other firms are willing to reward non-smokers or impose an increased charge on smokers.
- Healthcare Jobs: When you are in the healthcare business, some employers believe you are supposed to be a role model of health.
- Safety Jobs: In other hazardous jobs, there is fear among employers that smoking breaks are not safe.
- Corporate Image: Certain companies desire to advertise an image of health and no smoking.
This should be supported by the fact that this is not about judging anyone. It is typically a matter of mere business choices regarding costs and policies.
Professional Help
In case you are afraid that your drug test will detect nicotine, it will be reasonable to seek professional assistance. Only a licensed expert can help you surmise exactly what is under test and provide you with information regarding your case. Pre-employment screening is available in many professional testing facilities. This implies that you can even be tested on the frontline, ensuring you are well-prepared for what to expect.
Take the First Step to Safety: Book Your Drug Testing Today!
Conclusion
That is it then! As bad as it sounds, nicotine tests are not that fearsome. You should not usually care about it all the time. However, when you do it, you are now aware of what is coming. As soon as you know how such tests are being done, you will be able to make intelligent health and job choices. You now have the facts whether you are a smoker wishing to quit, a user of nicotine gum or merely a person who wants to make yourself ready in case the urge to use nicotine hits.
When you require professional testing services or are interested in exactly what is in your system, the company, Choice DNA, is ready to assist you. They provide all the drug testing services and DNA testing services that you need with professionalism and precision that you can count on. Do not make crucial decisions by chance and hire the professional help you need.
