What Kind Of Drug Test Do You Need?
A 5-panel test simply means a test will look for 5 specific drugs in someone’s body. Same goes with a 10-panel, except that test will look for evidence of 10 specific drugs in someone’s body.
Before you choose a drug test, we want to work together to make sure you’re requesting the right test.
Whether the collection is done onsite in our office or in a different location, we assure you we will follow proper protocols and testing procedures to ensure it holds up in court and can be used to make important decisions.
Questions We’ll Ask You
- Do you know what drugs you’re looking for?
- What is the purpose of the test? (For example, is this a potential hire, are you needing a random screening, are you trying to determine if someone used drugs within a certain period of time, are you using this test for a court case, etc.)
- What time frame are you looking to test? (Drug use within hours, days, months, etc.)
- Where do you need the test done? (We can collect at our office, come to you or in another lab setting)
- What is your budget for the test?
- How quickly do you need the results?
The answers to these questions will help you decide which type of drug test is best for you.
Understanding the Differences Between Methods
As you consider which drug testing or screening method will best meet your needs, you need to consider several factors:
- What am I testing for? Some methods are better suited for identifying long-term drug use, as would be used in employment or custody scenarios. Other methods determine if an individual has used drugs in recent history, which is best suited for parole officers or recovery testing. Some tests are less likely to be subjected to adulteration, while others are operated more on the honor system. Understanding the purpose and outcomes of each method is critical when choosing which drug test to administer.
- How soon do I need results? Perhaps you need the rapid response of an instant drug screen for a pre-employment check. Maybe you need a more in-depth examination of the full panel after a car accident and can wait longer. For some prolonged screenings, it can take up to two weeks to gather the necessary data. Depending on your timeline, different methods might suit your needs better.
- Will this need to be admissible in a court of law? Not all drug tests are considered equal in the courtroom. If you need results that are Federally approved and permissible in court, you need to consider what specimen you choose to test and where you choose to test it.
- Which drugs am I testing for? While many of the mainstream drugs are testable through a variety of methods, there are literally hundreds of controlled or illegal substances that can be tested for. Additionally, some drugs have a rapid metabolism rate in various specimens – knowing what drugs you’re looking for will help inform which test you should consider.
- What is the likeliness of adulteration or tampering? Some tests have a significantly higher rate of manipulation and meddling. For some pre-employment drug screens for positions of a reduced safety risk, the potential for tampering might be reduced and therefore a better fit for unobserved testing. However, a police officer administering a drug test to a parolee might choose a method that has a reduced risk of interference by having the screening be fully observed.
Below we have identified the five most common methods and specimens utilized in drug screening and testing. Each method carries with it differing detection windows, different levels of intrusion, and different drug types to be tested for – all factors in choosing the right screening option for your needs.
Urine
- How It Works and What It Is Best Used Accounting for over 90% of the estimated 55 million drug tests performed last year, urine is the single most popular drug testing method. The most flexible of all the drug screening options, the urine method can be done on-site or off-site, observed or not, lab-based or instant or in-lab or mobile, and tests for one of the widest varieties of drugs. Urine samples are collected in a testing container and either sent off for complex lab-based testing or subjected to an instant drug screening on-site. Urine testing in a lab-based setting is the only Federally accepted testing option and is fully admissible in a court of law.
- Drug Detection Window for Urine Testing The typical timeframe for most drugs is 48-72 hours use prior to testing, though several drugs have far slower metabolism rates and can be detected for weeks after consumption and far after the effects of the chemicals have worn off. Chronic users of marijuana have THC in their system for up to 30 days after stopping.
- Observed Collections Typically, drug screening is an unobserved collection process. However, in some circumstances observed specimen collection is required to avoid tampering or adulteration of samples. This may be a result of a policy requirement or the result of the donor’s previous attempts to cheat a test or adulterate specimens. Another common reason for a donor collection to be observed would be a previous positive drug test or court order.
- On-Site or Mobile/Lab-Based Drug Test or Instant Drug Screen Urine testing can be done at a worksite, in the home, in a medical facility, in a lab, or any other location depending on need. Additionally, urine specimens can be used for both lab-based and instant drug screening situations.
- Common Drugs Tested Urine screening and testing can typically identify the following drugs: Marijuana, MDA, MDMA, cocaine, barbiturates, amphetamines, methamphetamines, benzodiazepines, opiates (such as codeine, morphine, oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydromorphone, hydrocodone, and chemicals indicative of heroin use such as 6-acetyl morphine), as well as alcohol and nicotine.
Saliva/Oral Fluid
- How It Works and What When It Is Best Used The second most utilized drug screening process, saliva is collected through a mouth swab test, and is either sent off to a lab or tested instantly. The individual being screened should be instructed not to eat or drink for 10-15 minutes prior to testing. This method is typically difficult to meddle with and often observed directly. Saliva testing is a low-cost option; however, it is not effective in identifying long-term drug use. The mouth swab test is best used in scenarios where immediate screening of drugs is necessary, such as an accident or safety situation.
- Drug Detection Window for Saliva / Oral Fluid The shortest window of all methods, the saliva drug detection window is roughly one hour to two days after use.
- Observed Collection This method is almost always observed and administered by another individual to ensure no substitution or tampering occurs.
- On-Site or Mobile/Lab-Based or Instant Saliva testing can be administered anywhere necessary, and the compact size of the testing apparatus makes it easy to transport to any location. This can be analyzed in a lab or with an instant drug screening test.
- Common Drugs Tested Saliva/ Oral Fluid screening and testing can typically identify the following drugs: Marijuana, cocaine, barbiturates, ecstasy, amphetamines, methamphetamines, benzodiazepines, opiates (such as codeine, morphine, oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydromorphone, hydrocodone, and chemicals indicative of heroin use such as 6-acetyl morphine), PCP (phencyclidine), as well as alcohol and nicotine.
Hair Follicle
- How It Works and When It Is Best Used With the ability to test accurately for drug use in the previous 90 days, the hair follicle test is the best method for identifying long-term drug use while significantly reducing the risk of substitution or adulteration. A screening administrator will cut roughly 100-150 strands of hair as close to the scalp as possible. The hair follicles will be sent to a lab for drug use within the previous three months. However, drugs used in the 15 days prior to testing will not appear in the hair follicle – and as such, this test should not be used for short-term or recent testing of substance use. This test is often used for custody or legal proceedings or other circumstances where long-term use needs to be identified or discounted.
- Drug Detection Window The hair follicle is the slowest to metabolize drugs and will remain in the hair for up to three months after consumption. The hair follicle test is not effective for substances consumed in the 15 days prior to testing.
- Observed Collection Always administered by a screener and fully observed.
- On-Site or Mobile/Lab-Based Test or Instant Screen Typically administered in a lab or medical facility and within full view of the lab staff. There is no instant option for hair follicle testing.
- Common Drugs Tested Hair Follicle testing can typically identify the following drugs: Marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamines, opiates (such as codeine, morphine, oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydromorphone, hydrocodone, and chemicals indicative of heroin use such as 6-acetyl morphine), PCP (phencyclidine), ecstasy, as well as alcohol and nicotine.
Nail (Fingernail or Toenail)
- How It Works and When It Is Best Used With the ability to test accurately for drug use in the previous 2-8 months, the nail test is a great method for identifying long-term drug usage that extends beyond the timeframe of the standard hair follicle which only examines the last 90 days. There is no chance of specimen substitution or adulteration as it is professionally collected. A screening administrator will cut nails exclusively from fingernails or toenails but will never mix the two because of the different growth rates of the nails. The nail samples will be sent to a lab for drug use within the previous 2-8 months. However, drugs used in the 2 months prior to testing will not appear in the nail sample as it has not grown to a level where it can be clipped and tested – and as such, this test should not be used for short-term or recent testing of substance use. This test is often used for custody or legal proceedings or other circumstances where long-term use needs to be identified or discounted.
- Drug Detection Window The hair follicle is the slowest to metabolize drugs and will remain in the hair for up to three months after consumption. The hair follicle test is not effective for substances consumed in the 15 days prior to testing.
- Observed Collection Always administered by a screener and fully observed.
- On-Site or Mobile/Lab-Based Test or Instant Screen Typically administered in a lab or medical facility and within full view of the lab staff. There is no instant option for hair follicle testing.
- Common Drugs Tested Nail testing can typically identify the following drugs: Marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamines, opiates (such as codeine, morphine, oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydromorphone, hydrocodone, and chemicals indicative of heroin use such as 6-acetyl morphine), PCP (phencyclidine), ecstasy, as well as alcohol and nicotine.
Blood
- How It Works and When It Is Best Used The most invasive method, but also the method with the least risk for adulteration or substitution. While also the most expensive of testing options, this method of testing is typically used only in circumstances where active use and consumption needs to be determined. The cost, the inconvenience, and the intrusive nature of this test make it the rarest of the five methods identified – typically used only by law enforcement or if large sums of money are at stake in a legal scenario.
- Drug Detection Window Whereas the majority of illicit substances and drugs are rapidly metabolized in the bloodstream, the detection window in blood tests is extremely short. Through blood tests, drugs can be identified within the first few minutes of consumption and can last up to six hours.
- Observed Collection Always an observed collection as a medical professional must collect the specimen.
- On-Site or Mobile/Lab-Based Test Where some law enforcement professionals have the ability to administer this test and the results are considered relatively fast, this test is neither mobile or an instant drug screening option.
Sweat Patch
- How It Works and When It Is Best Used Similar to a band-aid in appearance, the sweat patch is topically administered to the user and worn anywhere from 24 hours up to two weeks. Made out of a specific material that cannot be reapplied if tampered with or removed, the sweat patch collects accumulating sweat on a pad. At the completion, the pad is removed by the test administrator and sent away for analysis. Used to monitor drug use, this is often used for individuals in recovery, on parole, or under other supervision.
- Drug Detection Window In addition to the timeframe, the sweat patch is worn, drug use can be detected for up to three days prior to application.
- Observed Collection The patch is applied and later removed by a trained administrator, however, the actual day to day use of the sweat patch is largely unobserved.
- On-Site or Mobile/Lab-Based or Instant The sweat patch can be applied at any location and is then sent away for lab-based screening at the conclusion of the testing window.
- Common Drugs Tested Testing can typically identify the following drugs: Amphetamine, cocaine, heroin, morphine, methadone, methamphetamine, PCP (phencyclidine), and alcohol.
What Are The Types Of Drug Tests?
There are many methods involved in testing someone for drugs. At Test Smartly Labs, here’s what we offer:
- Urine Drug Testing (instant and lab)
- Nail Drug Testing
- Saliva/Oral Fluids Drug Testing
- Hair Follicle Drug Testing
- Sweat Patch Drug Test
Here are some of the substances we can test for:
- Marijuana (THC, Cannabis)
- Cocaine
- Heroin (diacetylmorphine)
- Amphetamines
- Meth
- Opiates (Natural and Synthetic)
- Ecstasy (MDMA)
- Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (Sexual Assault)
- LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide)
- Bath Salts (MDPV, 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone)
- Narcotics (Schedule II & III)
- Oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet)
- Morphine, Opium, Codeine
- Narcotics (Schedule IV)
- Xanax (alprazolam)
- and many, many more...
Teenage Drug And Alcohol Testing
Teenage drug use is a massive problem.
While many strides have been made to reduce illegal drug and tobacco use, issues still remain amongst many adolescents and college students.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has monitored adolescents and college students since 1975 and publishes a yearly survey called “Monitoring the Future” which illuminates teenage drug use.
In the 2016 survey, it found:
- “The percentages of students seeing great risk of smoking marijuana regularly is at or near the lowest point ever recorded in the study—58%, 44%, and 31% in grades 8, 10, and 12, respectively.”
- “Alcohol remains the substance most widely used by today’s teenagers.”
What’s especially concerning is the introduction of “new” drugs like synthetic drugs and bath salts (which are way more toxic), and the rise of teenagers also abusing prescription drugs.
For advice on how to proceed and to learn your options, contact us today.
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