What You Should Know About Drug Tests

Employers often ask for a drug test either periodically or at the beginning of a contract. They request for these reports to know whether an employee has used specific substances that might affect how well they perform in their jobs. For federal agencies, the reports are necessary to maintain a clearance. If you require screening for any drug, book an appointment with a Humble drug testing specialist for quick and efficient services. Here are important things you ought to know about drug testing.

Which are the commonly tested drugs?

Detection times of these drugs vary depending on how much an individual has used and the type of drug. The person’s metabolism may also determine it. It is difficult to tell if the person is still on the drugs as the test measures presence of byproducts in the body. After the detection time has elapsed, it gets difficult to detect the substance in urine. When the employer asks you to get a drug test, they are often looking for the presence of the following drugs in our system:

Opioids: Opioids can either be prescribed or used illegally. The most known opioids include heroin, morphine, codeine, hydrocodone, and smoked opium. The detection time for heroin is 48 hours, 72 for morphine, and three days for methadone.

Marijuana: A ten-panel drug test will also detect the presence of marijuana and resins in an individual’s system. They include hashish, extracts such as wax, oil, glass, and marijuana. For a single use of marijuana, the detection time is up to three days in urine, while for heavy users, it takes up to 30 days.

Amphetamines: The 10-panel drug test picks up the presence of methamphetamines, amphetamine sulfate, and attention deficit disorders medications. The detection time for these substances is 48 hours. 

Barbiturates: A couple of barbiturates will leave similar residues in your body that is detectable using the 10-panel drug test. They include amobarbital, secobarbital, phenobarbital, and phenobarbital. Detection times of barbiturates would range from one day long and three weeks if the use was long.

Benzodiazepines: These drugs may be a prescription from a doctor, but some people abuse their use. The test will pick up their presence in the body. Detection times also range from one day to a month.

What can you expect during the procedure?

The organization that wants you to take the test may give you prior notice of about 24 hours. Before the testing, specialists instruct you not to urinate for a couple of hours before testing or drinking water. They will then require you to take a urine sample for a drug analysis. Some tests take hours to give results, while others can take a few days. Positive results show a detectable amount in the individual’s system, while negative results indicate no presence. In some cases, results might turn out as inconclusive, meaning that the test should be redone.

You might require a drug test if you have had an accident in a vehicle belonging to the company, if an organization wants to employ you after an accident at work, or for a periodic report to maintain a position or license. The next time you require a drug test, book an appointment online with Calvary Urgent Care or walk into their offices.