What are single drug test kits?
Single drug test kits are diagnostic tools designed to detect the presence of a specific drug or drug group in a sample — either urine or saliva. They're different from multi-panel tests in that they are not checking for multiple substances at once, but focusing on just one drug (e.g. cocaine, amphetamines, cannabis, etc.). Formats vary: strips, cassettes, pipettes, etc.
Why use single‐drug tests?
They are useful when you:
- Have reason to test for a specific substance rather than a broad screening.
- Need quicker, possibly more affordable testing (single‐drug kits tend to cost less than multi‐panel ones).
- Want simplicity: they’re generally easier to interpret (one line = negative, etc.), less chance of confusion.
- Need to react to a particular suspicion (e.g. after an incident, or when a specific drug is suspected).
Types of sample: urine vs saliva
Urine tests:
- Longer detection window for many drugs. Drugs and their metabolites accumulate in urine and can be detected for days after use, depending on the drug, dosage, frequency, and individual’s metabolism.
- More standard for workplace or clinical drug testing.
- More invasive (requires sample collection) and possibly more risk of adulteration (i.e. tampering with sample).
Available formats for urine tests
- Drug test strips — simple dip‐type tests for urine, often low cost.
- Drug test cassettes — similar principle but packaged differently; might include a pipette for urine sample collection. More robust and sometimes more accurate or easier to handle than strips.
Saliva tests:
- Shorter detection window; generally reflects recent use (hours rather than days).
- Less invasive collection; easier to supervise, harder to tamper with.
- Sometimes more suitable for on-site / roadside / immediate testing (e.g. law enforcement, safety‐sensitive context).
See saliva drug test kits for single drug
Factors to consider when choosing a single drug test kit
When choosing which kit is suitable, consider:
- Detection window — how recent do you need to detect drug use?
- Sample type — is urine or saliva more appropriate for your situation (logistics, invasiveness, supervision)?
- Sensitivity and specificity — the ability of the test to correctly detect a drug when it’s present, and correctly exclude when it’s not.
- Ease of use — how easy is it to collect the sample, read the result, avoid errors?
- Regulation & validity — is the test reliable, certified if needed for legal or workplace purposes?
- Cost — single tests are generally cheaper, but still vary in price depending on format and sensitivity.
- Turnaround time — how fast do you need the result? If you need quick (“on‐site”) results, then saliva might be preferable.
Potential limitations
- False positives / false negatives: No test is perfect. Cross‐reactivity, poor sample collection, improper storage can affect results.
- Detection window: Saliva misses older drug use; urine misses very recent use (some drugs might take time to appear in urine).
- Legal admissibility: For legal or employment settings, you may need confirmation via lab‐based single drug testing. Rapid tests are screening tools.
- Adulteration risk: Urine samples can be adulterated; saliva less so, but still potential issues (e.g. chewing gum, mouthwash).
- Interpretation: Lines on strips or cassettes need careful reading; faint lines may cause confusion.
Use cases & applications
- Workplace testing: Where one drug is suspected (e.g. safety‐critical operator suspected to have used a certain substance).
- Medical / clinical settings: To monitor or verify compliance (e.g. in addiction treatment), for symptom diagnosis.
- Law enforcement / roadside checks: Often saliva due to quick feedback and ease of supervision.
- Schools / youth services: Possibly used for suspicion of use, but ethical and procedural concerns (consent, privacy).
- Home use / self testing: For personal reassurance; though results should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.
Lab drug tests for single drugs
For organisations needing precise, legally-defensible drug screening, UK Drug Testing offers urine‐based lab tests under the Workplace Legally Defensible Drug Testing Pack (see Lab urine drug tests) and saliva‐based lab tests via the Workplace Saliva Laboratory Drug Tests (see Saliva lab drug tests). These lab tests target single drugs and deliver laboratory-verified results, making them suitable in employment, legal or safety-sensitive settings. Each test costs £66 per drug, giving clear, robust, and independent proof of drug presence or absence in the selected medium.
Need help choosing
Find the best test for your needs with our 30 second drug test quiz
Individual drug tests by type, choose strip or where available cassette and pipette design drug testing kits. Specific to a single drug group, these packs are ideal for targeted drug testing.
We offer the largest current range of single drug tests available from any UK supplier. Some stocks are limited, especially for the newer drug tests just coming onto the market.
See our full range of single urine drug test kits currently available to buy online
If you have a specific drug testing requirement, that is not currently available in our online store, please contact us as we may be able to have it manufactured for you.