Alcohol and drug testing for employment
Create a safe and reliable workplace from day one. Alcohol and drug testing for new hires is an effective way to reduce risk and protect both your company’s reputation and the well-being of your employees. We help you throughout the process and ensure that the tests are conducted professionally, legally correct and with respect for the candidate’s privacy.
Partnership with Provsvaret for reliable alcohol and drug testing
We are proud to partner with Provsvaret, specialists in alcohol and drug testing. Through this collaboration, we offer a smooth and efficient implementation of testing programmes, helping employers create safer and more secure workplaces. Provsvaret delivers quality-assured testing and professional handling, ensuring our clients have the best possible conditions for a safe and effective testing process.
Three situations where alcohol and drug testing is relevant in the workplace
There are three main situations where alcohol or drug testing may be appropriate:
Introducing drug testing at the hiring stage is an effective way to ensure a safe and secure working environment from day one. By testing candidates before they begin employment, you can identify potential substance misuse early and reduce risks to your organisation. It also sends a strong signal—both internally and externally—that your organisation takes workplace safety seriously.
For this type of testing, oral fluid (saliva) tests are recommended. They are easy to administer, less intrusive, and provide fast results.
Random testing helps create a safe and substance-free workplace. Tests are carried out in accordance with applicable legislation and are conducted unannounced, with individuals selected anonymously based on employee ID numbers—ensuring fairness and protecting personal integrity.
Random testing is one of the most effective preventive measures for reducing the risk of substance misuse in the workplace. To support implementation, our partner Provsvaret can help you develop a compliant and well-structured alcohol and drug policy, enabling your organisation to introduce testing in a smooth and correct way.
If you suspect that an employee may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, it’s important to handle the situation correctly and respectfully. DISA offers support to help you manage this sensitive process.
A professionally conducted test is an important first step. All testing is carried out with full respect for the employee’s privacy and helps create a foundation for open dialogue around health, workplace environment and wellbeing. With a well-developed alcohol and drug policy, combined with our reliable services, you gain the tools to act quickly and in a legally compliant way—while also supporting your employees towards positive change.
Not sure which tests are right for your organisation?
DISA helps you identify potential issues early through alcohol and drug testing
Risks of undetected substance misuse in the workplace:
- Delayed support interventions, despite early detection being crucial to prevent escalation
- Increased risk of accidents in environments involving machinery, vehicles or other safety-critical tasks
- Reduced productivity, higher absenteeism and decreased employee performance
- An unsafe or uncomfortable working environment for other employees
- Damage to your company’s reputation and reduced trust among customers
- Legal consequences in the event of accidents, offences or workplace incidents
- Failure to comply with industry regulations, risking the loss of important licences
- Strained or weakened customer relationships
- Deteriorating physical and mental health for the individual if issues are not addressed in time
Identify substance misuse early with DISA:
- Reduce the risk of workplace accidents
- Help prevent poor work quality, increased absenteeism and reduced productivity
- Avoid costly hiring mistakes
- Strengthen your company’s reputation and build trust with customers and employees
- Early detection enables timely support and rehabilitation, helping employees return to work
- Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements
- Fully GDPR compliant
- A fast and seamless process – DISA manages the entire journey
- Detect up to 60 substances with zero margin for error
- Results delivered within 5 days
What types of tests are used for alcohol and drug screening?
There are several methods available for alcohol and drug testing in the workplace. During recruitment, oral fluid (saliva) testing is commonly used as it is reliable, difficult to tamper with, and capable of detecting a wide range of substances—typically up to 40–60 different drugs, depending on the laboratory’s analysis package. Saliva testing is also generally considered less intrusive than, for example, urine testing.
The most common testing methods include:
Urine testing
A common method for detecting drugs. This is typically used as a screening tool, providing a quick indication of possible substance use.
Oral fluid (saliva) testing
A method often used for rapid drug screening, for example in the early stages of the recruitment process.
Blood testing
A more comprehensive method used to detect both alcohol and drugs. It provides more detailed results but is less commonly used during recruitment.
Do you have questions about how the tests work?
No two organisations are the same. Speak with us and we’ll help you find the right setup based on your specific needs.
Process for alcohol and drug testing
With DISA’s international background screening platform, employers can manage alcohol and drug testing quickly and efficiently as part of the recruitment process. Through advanced digital integrations with national and global data providers, as well as HR systems, we ensure tests are ordered seamlessly and candidates receive clear and timely information.
Interested in seeing how our platform works? Book a demo!
Six simple steps
Start by setting up an account with us. You can do this easily by contacting our sales team. Already have an account? Simply log in as usual and order the test.
The candidate is informed about the test, including its purpose and procedure. There are two options for how the test can be carried out:
1. Testing at a clinic
The candidate completes the test at a designated clinic.
2. On-site self-testing
The candidate carries out the test at the employer’s premises.
Once the test has been ordered, Provsvaret is notified. If the test is carried out at the employer’s premises, a Provsvaret representative will oversee the sample collection and ensure the process is conducted correctly.
Provsvaret receives the sample, performs the analysis, and quality-assures the results.
Following analysis, Provsvaret uploads the test results to the DISA platform.
The employer logs into DISA to review the results and make a decision on the next steps in the recruitment process.
How should you handle a positive drug test result in the workplace?
Get practical guidance for employers on communication, policies, and action plans.
Why choose DISA for alcohol and drug testing?
Tailored testing solutions
We offer a range of testing methods—including urine, oral fluid (saliva), and blood tests—adapted to your needs and industry requirements.
Compliance and GDPR assurance
We ensure all testing is carried out in line with applicable legislation, including GDPR, while fully respecting candidate rights.
Simple and seamless process
From consultation and test administration to analysis and results, we manage the entire process—so you can stay focused on your recruitment.
Full transparency and clear communication
We support you in clearly communicating the purpose of testing, helping to build trust and avoid misunderstandings.
Let DISA support you with alcohol and drug testing during recruitment
DISA can help your organisation manage the entire process of alcohol and drug testing during recruitment—from selecting the right testing methods to analysis and result handling. We ensure all testing is carried out in line with applicable laws and guidelines, while providing candidates with a secure and professional experience.
DISA also offers pre-employment background screening, which, together with alcohol and drug testing, gives you a more complete picture of each candidate. Ready to create a safer workplace? Let us help you implement an effective and legally compliant testing process. Contact us for a free consultation.
During the background screening process, DISA provides the right information at the right time, ensuring both candidates and assessors know what is expected of them. Reminders are sent when needed to prevent delays and keep the process moving forward.
Results are delivered quickly, enabling candidates to start as soon as possible—either with end clients or within our own organisation. Thanks to DISA’s in-depth understanding of our recruitment processes, they are able to deliver a fast and efficient service.
Ilze Lamers
Fler bakgrundskontroller
Contact us about alcohol and drug testing during recruitment
Frequently asked questions about alcohol and drug testing
Yes, but you must have a legitimate reason and ensure compliance with GDPR and other applicable legislation.
Candidates have the right to refuse, but this may affect their chances of securing the role—particularly in safety-critical positions.
Urine testing and oral fluid (saliva) testing are the most common methods, with blood testing used in certain cases. We can help you choose the right approach for your needs.
Boardtalk recruits around 120 people each year. In the past, pre-employment background checks were considered somewhat exceptional in Sweden, but today it has become increasingly common to screen candidates. For example, we previously only carried out basic checks for applicants applying for senior positions. Comprehensive background checks were both time-consuming and costly, often taking at least a full working week to complete.
With DISA, however, we can carry out prioritised background checks within 24 hours—at a fraction of the previous cost.
Mats Holmberg
Managing Partner
Boardtalk