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Information Packet
Urine drug testing (UDT) is widely used for testing for
opioids and illicit drugs. There are two types of UDT: a
screening test and a confirmatory test. The screening
test uses an immunoassay to look for the parent drug
and/or metabolite. Most UDTs screen for marijuana,
cocaine, opiates, PCP, amphetamines, while some also
test for benzodiazepines and methadone. The confirmatory
urine drug test is done by gas Chromatography/mass
spectrometry (GC/MS) or high-performance liquid
chromatography (HPLC); this test is highly specific and
is typically used when testing for the presence of a
specific drug is needed.
How far does it go back?
Urine testing detection periods will vary greatly for drug to
drug. Table below will cover the common drugs and
detection time.
|
Substance Detection Time: |
|
Substance |
Detection Period |
Substance |
Detection Period |
|
Amphetamines
|
2-5 days |
Barbituates (Short-Acting) |
2 days |
|
Barbituates (Long-Acting) |
3-4 weeks |
Benzodiazepines |
7-10 days |
|
Cannabinoids (THC, Marijuana) |
5-60 days (See Chart Below) |
Clenbuterol |
4-6 days |
|
Cocaine |
1-4 days |
Codeine |
5-7 days |
|
Euphorics (Ecstasy, Shrooms) |
5-7 days |
Ketamine (Special K) |
5-7 days |
|
LSD - ACID
|
7-10 days |
Methamphetamines |
5-7 days |
|
Nicotine (Cigarettes) |
4-10 days |
Opiates |
5-7 days |
|
Peptide hormones |
undetectable |
Phencyclidine (PCP) |
2-4 days |
|
Phenobarbital |
10-20 days
|
Propoxyphene |
6 hours to 2 days |
|
Steroids (anabolic oral)
|
14-28 days
|
Steroids (anabolic
parenterally) |
1-3 months
|
|
Cannabinoids (THC, Marijuana) Detection Time: |
|
1 time only |
5-8 days |
|
2-4x per month |
11-18 days |
|
2-4x per week |
23-35 days |
|
5-6x per week |
33-48 days |
|
Daily |
49-63 days |
Do medications interfere?
There are some prescriptions that contain the same drugs that are
commonly found "on the street". There is no easy way to
distinguish between the two forms of the drug. However,
the problem is not as big as it would seem.
There are no prescriptions for PCP or cocaine. It is extremely rare
to find cocaine used in a medical setting, although it
happens occasionally, usually to control bleeding from
the eye or nose. If used, it will be well documented in
the person’s medical file. Such use would cause the
urine to test positive for cocaine metabolite for a few
days.
Heroin is rarely prescribed in the United States, but again would
be well documented. Other prescribed opiates may
occasionally cause a positive screen, but are sorted out
in a confirmation test.
There are some prescription diet pills that contain either
amphetamine or methamphetamine, as well as a drug for
Parkinson’s Disease that is a form of methamphetamine.
Some doctors prescribe amphetamines for ADHD. Ecstasy is
included in the amphetamine class of drugs, and is
identified at confirmation.
What if I’m in a room with someone who is using
drugs?
Since it takes multiple uses to test positive, and metabolites are
checked when possible, it is pretty much impossible to
test positive from passive exposure on a limited basis.
Where can I order an at
home urine drug test?
You can order one
though our online store
here.
