Many people in the world of sports are familiar with drug testing and the different ways in which these tests are performed. However, some people outside the sports industry might not know what is involved in drug testing. Below are some of the popular ways to carry out drug testing and why some of these tests are carried out on certain categories of people.

Alcohol Testing
One of the most common types of drug testing is the alcohol test. The best thing about this test is that it is non-invasive. The alcohol test does not involve a blood sample or a urine sample. You just breathe into an instrument called a breathalyzer and this instrument analyzes the alcohol level in your blood. You get the result almost immediately and you are pronounced guilty or not guilty. This is the most reliable test to determine if people are guilty of driving under the influence. However, it is also used in other circumstances.

The Urine Test
This is one of the most popular tests in the sports industry. Soccer players, sprinters, tennis players, and other athlete are required to undergo a urine test occasionally. This test is very reliable because trained and qualified professionals usually administer it. The person being tested is given a sterile container and he or she provides a urine sample. A simple analysis or culture will determine if the person being tested has used banned substances or prohibited drugs.

Blood Test
The blood test is a highly reliable test but many people do not like this test because it is invasive and may conflict with certain religious beliefs. To get the blood sample, a trained medical personnel uses a syringe to draw a blood sample from the person receiving the test. This sample is analyzed and a result is issued to reflect the test result. Some people are opposed to blood testing because samples may get swapped or mixed up in the laboratory.

The Hair Follicle Test
This test is relatively new but it is becoming very popular in forensic science because it is reliable and very effective. In cases where drug use is suspected but may not be easily verified, the hair follicle test is often the best option. This is because you can still detect drug use using this test even after a few weeks or months.

Other Drug Tests
Other drug tests are the sweat test and the saliva test. These tests are vital for people in the sports industry and personnel in the health and security services. Get reliable information on drug testing and do not believe the misconceptions about drug testing.