Easy Ways to Read Drug Test Results: 10 Steps with Pictures
This type of test uses immunoassay to find the parent drug and/or metabolite. Immunoassay means the test looks for certain substances and molecules to provide a positive or negative result. Most common drugs screened include cocaine, amphetamines, opiates, marijuana, PCP, methadone, and benzodiazepines (BZO). who are the most famous alcoholics A urine screening test is fast, but may not be the most reliable result.
- It varies from person to person depending on a wide variety of factors including how frequently it is used, a person’s size and activity level, etc.
- The collector then pours the sample from the urine testing cup into the specimen container.
- Doctors, sports officials, and many employers require these tests regularly.
- Measuring the temperature is an effective way to verify that the sample came from the person being tested.
- The intensity of the color of a line on the drug test should not be interpreted as a measure of the amount of drugs present.
Pre-Employment Drug Testing Laws Explained
They then measure the temperature of the urine sample to make sure it is suitable for testing. If a person cannot return their sample to a medical professional within 1 hour, they should seal it in a plastic bag and store it in a refrigerator. A false-negative result can occur when urine is very diluted, for example. Signs of drug use can remain in a person’s system long after the physical effects wear off. The analysis can determine whether a person used specific drugs days or weeks before testing. Two lines of any color intensity appear to indicate a negative result.
What information cannot be obtained from positive drug test results?
Even if the line that appears is very faint, the result should be considered negative. The test administrators may have special preparation instructions as well. These may include not urinating for a couple of hours before the test or avoiding drinking extra water before the test.
Negative results
Interpreting drug test results and making fair employment decisions requires an understanding beyond a “positive” or “negative”. Partnering alcoholic narcissistic mother with a background check provider that offers drug testing can help streamline logistics, simplify results analysis, and support compliance. Before taking any action, you should review your company’s drug testing policy and follow those guidelines for next steps. To best understand how to read drug test lab results, you also need to know what was included in the test.
These metabolites are produced when drugs break down inside one’s body after consumption. Drug testing kits measure concentrations of these substances using immunoassay techniques, which involve antibodies that bind to target molecules. Consider following the SAMHSA guidelines on workplace drug testing policies and always follow best practices when conducting random tests. As a company that purchases drug testing supplies, it’s important to know how to read a drug test cup. Fortunately, it’s a simple process that can be done in just a few steps. Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of reading drug test cups, let’s get familiar with their components.
There are several scenarios where a urine drug test might be necessary. Alright, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of collecting that all-important urine sample. Urine samples are often temperature-tested to ensure sample integrity. After obtaining a sample, a line should appear next to the control region, or the C mark. If the Control line does not appear after 10 minutes of obtaining a sample, discard the test and administer a new one. Also known as Darvocet, this is a prescription painkiller with the potential for abuse.
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A 30 mL midstream urine sample is needed to conduct a standard urine drug test like the 10 Panel T-Cup CLIA Waived Urine Drug Test Cup. A urine testing cup that reaches up to 90mL is preferred for testing for ease what does it feel.like to be drunk of use for the donor and to collect extra urine if extra tests are to be performed. This brand offers an integrated urine drug test kit that can be used either by employers, pain centers, clinics and other health centers. When no line appears in the Test Region (T) but a colored line is displayed in the Control Region (C), the drug test result is POSITIVE.
This helps ensure that people receiving treatment for drug or alcohol abuse stay sober. If you’re on probation or parole for a drug- or alcohol-related offense, the officer in charge of your case may request random drug tests to verify your sobriety. If you need high-quality drug testing supplies that are easy to use and provide accurate results, visit Halux Diagnostic.
For drug screening, a urine temperature that is within the range of °F is usually acceptable. Ensuring that the sample is in this temperature range is the best way to tell whether the sample actually came from the donor at the time of testing. If the specimen temperatures go lower or higher than this range, the urine test was likely tampered with or contaminated. If this is the case, the sample will be rejected and the donor may be subject to consequences and another drug test. Medical staff will often measure the temperature of urine samples that are submitted to them. The appearance of a sample specimen is not nearly enough to verify that the sample submitted is authentic and unadulterated.
Similar tests are popular for testing potential employees, though a simpler 4- or 5-panel drug test with alcohol is more common. If your first test comes back positive, a follow-up test known as gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) is done for confirmation. This type of test uses the same procedure for getting a urine specimen as the immunoassay.