Drug Testing

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Drug Testing is a medical procedure that involves the analysis of biological specimens, such as blood, urine, hair, sweat or saliva, to detect the presence or absence of specific drugs or their metabolized traces.

Overview[edit | edit source]

Drug testing is commonly used in health care settings, workplaces, sports organizations, and legal or forensic situations. It can be used to determine if a person is under the influence of drugs at a particular time, to monitor drug use over time, or to screen for the presence of illegal or prescription drugs.

Types of Drug Testing[edit | edit source]

There are several types of drug testing, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. These include:

  • Urine Drug Testing - This is the most common type of drug test. It is relatively inexpensive and can detect most drugs within a few days of use.
  • Blood Drug Testing - This type of test is more invasive and expensive than urine testing, but it can detect drugs in the system more quickly and accurately.
  • Hair Drug Testing - This test can detect drug use over a longer period of time, typically up to 90 days. However, it cannot detect recent drug use.
  • Saliva Drug Testing - This test is less invasive than blood testing and can detect recent drug use. However, it has a shorter detection window than other types of tests.
  • Sweat Drug Testing - This test involves wearing a patch for several days to collect sweat. It can be used to monitor drug use over time.

Drug Testing Procedures[edit | edit source]

Drug testing procedures vary depending on the type of test and the specific drugs being tested for. Generally, the process involves collecting a biological specimen, sending it to a laboratory for analysis, and interpreting the results.

Legal and Ethical Issues[edit | edit source]

There are many legal and ethical issues associated with drug testing, including concerns about privacy, accuracy, and discrimination. It is important for individuals and organizations to understand these issues and to follow all applicable laws and regulations.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Drug Testing Resources
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD