a
Corporate Office:
2101 Magnolia Avenue South, Suite 518
Birmingham, AL 35205
1-888-762-3740

Types of Drug Tests

Learn About the Different Types of Drug Testing Services

What is a Drug Test?

A drug test analyzes an individual’s sample for the presence of illegal or prescription drugs. The most common substances that are frequently tested for are:  marijuana, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, alcohol, opium, and steroids.

What is a 10 Panel Drug Test?

A 10 panel drug test is used to detect traces of the 10 most commonly abused substances that are often associated with drug abuse (marijuana, cocaine, opioids, benzodiazepines, amphetamines, barbiturates, PCP, methadone, Quaaludes, & propoxyphene). There are also smaller 4-5 panel drug tests available. Typically, a urine analysis is ordered for these drug panels, however, hair, blood, sweat, or oral fluid tests can administered as well.

 

Most Common Types of Drug Tests

Here are the most common drug tests administered to find illegal substance use:

Urine Drug Test 

A urine drug test, or urine drug screen (UDS), is the most common drug test administered. It is used to detect the presence of illegal substances in a person’s system. Urine screening is performed most often because it can quickly identify if an individual has recently used an illegal substance within the past few days.

Mouth Swab Drug Test

A mouth swab drug test, also known as a saliva test or oral test, detects substances in a person’s system by checking for the presence of drugs in the saliva. This type of test is becoming more common, however, the individual must have used a substance relatively recently.

Hair Follicle Drug Test

A hair follicle drug test, also known as a hair drug test, screens for illicit drug use by collecting a small amount of hair from an individual’s head. The hair sample is then sent to the lab where it is analyzed for signs of drug abuse. This type of test can detect a pattern of repeated drug use over the last 90 days.

Blood Drug Test

A blood drug test is used typically when the individual is suspected of actively under the influence of drugs or other harmful substances. Blood tests can have a high degree of accuracy and can detect a wider variety of substances, however, the time frame is very short due to substances being quickly metabolized and eliminated from the body (substances are detectable only within a few minutes to hours).

Sweat Patch Drug Test

A sweat patch drug test requires an individual wear a patch on their skin for seven days. The sweat drug-detection patches provides continuous monitoring of the individual over several days. If the individual is actively using drugs, they will excrete trace amounts of the drug through perspiration on the skin. A sweat patch tests for the 5 most common types of drug abuse (marijuana, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines/methamphetamines & PCP).

 

Where to Get a Drug Test?

There are different drug testing options available depending on one’s needs: at-home drug testing kits or lab testing facility.

At-Home Drug Test

If an individual or family member would like to conduct a test in the privacy of their own home, the can purchase a home drug test kit from their local pharmacy or drug store. 

Laboratory Drug Testing Facility

If an employer is hiring, it is common that the applicant will have to go to a lab testing facility to get screened.

Drug Testing Process

Wether you use an at-home drug testing kit or go to a lab testing office, the drug test samples will be sent to a lab to conduct immunoassay testing. The lab will process the sample, then conduct two tests. The first screening test discovers traces of addictive substances within a category. The second confirms the positive result, and can more specifically define what kind of drug was abused. For example, the first test can detect the presence of opioids, and the second test can find oxycodone or diamorphine. This can help an employer, physician, or loved one determine if there has been an abuse of an illicit drug.

Are You Looking For Drug Testing Services “Near Me”?

The need for drug testing in your home or office may already be indicative of a serious problem with addiction. The numerous testing methods of drug testing can help diagnose the type and extent of chemical dependency. Gaining this information might help a person struggling with addiction realize how badly their substance abuse affects his or her life, or it might enlighten someone enabling addiction to the depth of the problem. Positive drug tests may be the beginning of the long road of treatment. Remember, addiction is a chronic, progressive disease that can devastate the lives of anyone in its path. Stop it from overrunning you or loved ones, and seek help today. If you need information regarding drug testing, intervention, or addiction, contact Bradford Health Services and ask for a professional intervention specialist to guide you through the process.

Related Article

Drug Tolerance

Workplace Accidents and Drug or Alcohol Abuse