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1-866-478-3417
Our drug testing laboratories are
certified by HHS/SAMHSA.
Over 90 laboratories across the USA
currently maintain accreditation in this program. Review and grading of both
inspections and proficiency tests by a central group ensures that any urine drug
screening test performed anywhere in the USA will follow the same procedures and
produce the same results. This is perceived by the public as ensuring fairness
in the drug screening program.
All substance abuse
specimens submitted to the Service Centers are initially tested using a
screening technique called Enzyme Immunoasay (EIA).
While pre-employment
drug screening is a good practice and a great start to a drug free workplace
drug program, it is only the first step in creating and maintaining a drug free,
cost effective, highly productive workplace. Random testing, voluntary testing,
reasonable suspicion testing, specific condition testing and follow-up testing
are all equally important types of drug testing.
In addition to the federally mandated NIDA panel we offer a variety of test
panels and cut off levels, which can be combined with adulterant testing.
Adulterant testing detects substances (either added to the urine specimen or
ingested) that are promoted as "cleansing agents" to prevent the detection of
drug use.
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Drugs
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Cut off Levels of our Drug screening(ng/mL) |
Detection Levels of GC/MS Confirmation
(ng/mL) |
| Amphetamine |
1000 |
500 |
| Cocaine |
300 |
150 |
| Marijuana |
50 |
15 |
| Opiates |
2000 |
2000 |
| Phencyclidine |
25 |
25 |
COCAINE:
Also
known as Coke; Crack; Dama Blanca; Erythroxylon Coca; Free Base; Gold Dust;
Liquid Lady; Nose Candy; Rock; Snow; Toot; White Lady. Cocaine is a highly
abused drug which is most frequently detected in the urine as the metabolite,
benzoylecgonine. Cocaine is a central nervous system stimulant. It usually
appears as a fine crystal-like powder which is the hydrochloride or sulfate salt
and as such is "snorted" (inhaled through the nose). When mixed with sodium
bicarbonate and converted to free base, it appears as hard pieces called "crack"
which can be smoked. This is currently a very prevalent form of the drug. The
effects of the drug begin within minutes and peak within 15-20 minutes. These
effects include dilated pupils, increase in blood pressure, heart rate,
breathing rate and body temperature. The dangers of cocaine use vary, depending
on how the drug is taken, the dose, and the individual. Some regular users
report feelings of restlessness, irritability, anxiety, and sleeplessness. In
some people even low doses of cocaine may create psychological problems. People
who use high doses of cocaine over a long period of time may become paranoid or
experience what is called a cocaine psychosis. This may include hallucinations
of touch, sight, taste, and smell. Alcohol inhibits cocaine degradation,
enhancing its liver toxicity. The drug is detectable in urine within 2-3 hours
and for a period of 36-48 hours. Up to a third of all instances of stroke in
young adults relate to drug use including amphetamines, phenylpropanolamine,
phencyclidine, methylphenidate, and opiates, as well as cocaine, but cocaine has
become the most common drug implicated in such events. Complications of cocaine
use may include shock, coagulation of blood inside blood vessels, and death of
heart muscle fibers. Cocaine is considered toxic to the liver.
MARIJUANA:
Synonyms: Cannabis, carboxy THC, Hashish, Hemp; Marijuana. The name comes from
the source of marjuana, the plant Cannabis Sativa. Urine may contain carboxy THC
for a week or 10 days after light or moderate use and as long as a month to 6
weeks after heavy use. Rapid storage of THC metabolites in body fat occurs after
use. These substances are then released from storage sites slowly over time. A
marijuana cigarette is made form the dried particles of the plant, Cannabis
sativa. The immediate effects of smoking marijuana include a faster heartbeat
and pulse rate, bloodshot eyes, and a dry mouth and throat. The drug can impair
or reduce short term memory, alter sense of time, and reduce the ability to do
things which require concentration, swift reactions and coordination, such as
driving and operating machinery. Driving experiments show that marijuana affects
a wide range of skills needed for safe driving. Thinking and reflexes are
slowed, making it hard for drivers to respond to sudden unexpected events.
Furthermore, a driver's ability to 'track" through curves, brake quickly, and
maintain speed and proper distance between vehicles is affected. Research shows
that these skills are impaired for at least 4-6 hours after smoking a single
marijuana cigarette. If a driver drinks alcohol along with using marijuana, the
risks of a vehicular collision greatly increase.
OPIATES:
Opiates in general are a group of drugs (commonly referred to as narcotics)
which are used medically to relieve pain, but have a high potential for abuse.
Some opiates come from a resin taken from the seed Pod of the Asian poppy. This
group of drugs includes opium, morphine, and codeine. Other opiates are
synthesized or manufactured (eg, heroin).Opium appears as dark brown chunks or
as a powder, and is usually smoked or eaten. Heroin can be a white or brown
powder which is usually dissolved in water and injected.
Opiates tend to relax the user. When the opiates are injected, the user feels an
immediate "rush". Other initial and unpleasant effects Include restlessness,
nausea, and vomiting. The user may go "on the nod" going back and forth from
feeling alert to drowsy. With very large doses, the user cannot be awakened,
pupils become smaller and the skin becomes cold, moist, and bluish in color.
Furthermore, breathing slows down and death may occur. Clearance may be slower
in older people.
PCP:
Phencyclidine.
Synonym; Angel Dust; Crystal Joint; Elephant Tranquilizers; Goon; Hog; Kay Jay;
Killer Weed; Mist; PCP; Peace Pills; Peace Weed; Rocket Fuel; Sheets; Sherm;
Snorts; Soma; Supergrass; Wickstick. This is a widely used drug of abuse which
was formerly sold as a veterinary tranquilizer. All legal manufacture and sale
has been stopped. Acute intoxication with phencyclidine may be life threatening.
It causes psychosis and other symptoms and signs. Phencyclidine is most often
called "angel dust." It was first developed as an anesthetic in the 1950s. It
was taken off the market for human use because it sometimes caused
hallucinations. PCP is available in a number of forms. It can be a pure white
crystal-like powder, tablet or capsule and it can be swallowed, smoked (alone or
with marijuana), sniffed, or injected. Although PCP is illegal, it is easily
manufactured. Effects depend on how much of the drug is taken, the way it is
used, and the individual. Small amounts act as a stimulant, speeding up body
functions. For many users, PCP changes how they see their own bodies and things
around them. Speech, muscle coordination, and vision are affected; sense of
touch and pain are dulled; and body movements are slowed. Time seems to "space
out." Effects include increased heart rate and blood pressure, flushing,
sweating, dizziness, and numbness. When large doses are taken, effects include
drowsiness, convulsions, and coma. Taking large amounts of PCP can also cause
death from repeated convulsions, heart and lung failure, or ruptured central
nervous system blood vessels. PCP can be detected for 7 days after
administration; 2 weeks in chronic users.
AMPHETAMINES:
Synonyms "Crank"; Crystal; Desoxyn®; Doe; "Ice"; "Meth"; Methampex; Methedrine;
Speed. A form of this drug is used as an appetite controlling agent and for
treatment of hyperactive children. The most abused drug in this class is
d-methamphetamine. The optical isomer, l-methamphetamine, has less pronounced
central effects and is used as a nasal decongestant in Vicks lnhaler (legal,
over the counter). Amphetamine isomers are present in Dexedrine and Benzedrine.
These drugs are taken orally, in the veins or by smoking. It can be detected in
urine within 3 hours of use. Over the counter medication for colds and allergies
(Contac®, Dimetap, Sine-O, Sudafed) may give a positive screening test with a
type of testing method which is used however to detect
methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), a controlled substance classed as an
hallucinogen and "designer' drug. Phentermine (Adipex, Fastin), ranitidine
(Zantac), and chlorpromazine ((Thorazine) also give a positive test. In order to
rule out the false-positive given by l-methamphetamine (legal nasal
decongestant), a special confirmation procedure, must be used. Methamphetamine
is a sympathomimetic amine chemically related to ephedrine and amphetamine. It
is used in the management of obesity, to treat certain depressive reactions, and
as adjunctive therapy for narcolepsy, epilepsy, attention deficit disorders, and
some type of parkinsonism. Methamphetamine is readily absorbed by the intestine
tract and the effects last from 6-12 hours.
Adverse effects include tremor, insomnia, nervousness, anxiety, euphoria or high
or low blood pressure, disturbance of heart rhythm, circulatory collapse, and
nausea and vomiting.
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Adulterant & Cleansing Agents
Testing |
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Urine sample adulteration is
serious problem in forensic urine drug testing. Sample
adulteration is usually achieved by substitution, dilution
or the addition of adulterants including
so called "masking agents" sold commercially.
Adulteration is defined as
the tampering or manipulation of a urine specimen with the
intention of altering the test results. The use of
adulterants can cause false negative results in drug tests
by either interfering with the screening test and/or
destroying the drugs present in the urine. Dilution may also
be employed in an attempt to produce false negative drug
test results. Clinically, the accepted method to test for
adulteration or dilution is to determine certain urinary
characteristics such as creatinine, pH, and specific gravity
and to detect the presence of glutaraldehyde, nitrite and
oxidants /pyridinium chlorochromate (PCC) in urine.
Creatinine
is a waste product of creatine; an amino acid contained in
muscle tissue and found in urine. A person may attempt to
foil a drug test by drinking excessive amounts of water or
diuretics such as herbal teas to "flush" the system.
Creatinine and specific gravity are two ways to check for
dilution and flushing, which are the most common mechanisms
used in an attempt to circumvent drug testing. Low
creatinine and specific gravity levels may indicate diluted
urine. The absence of creatinine (<5mg/dl) is indicative of
a specimen not consistent with human urine
Specific
gravity tests for sample dilution. The normal range for
specific gravity is from 1.003 to 1.030. Values outside this
range generally indicate specimen dilution or adulteration.
Nitrite tests for commonly used commercial
adulterants such as "Klear" or "Whizzies". They work by
oxidizing the major cannabinoid (marijuana) metabolite THC
COOH˛. Normal urine should contain no trace of nitrites.
Positive results generally indicate the presence of an
adulterant.
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CHAIN OF CUSTODY |
Chain of Custody is a legal
term that refers to the ability to guarantee the identity
and integrity of the specimen from collection through to
reporting of the test results.
It is a process used to maintain and document the
chronological history of the specimen. (Documents should
include name or initials of the individual collecting the
specimen, each person or entity subsequently having custody
of it, the date the specimen was collected or transferred,
employer or agency, specimen number, patient's or employee's
name, and a brief description of the specimen.)
A secure chain of custody, together with the analytical
techniques used by the Laboratory for Toxicology to confirm
the identity of drugs present in a specimen, leads to the
production of a legally defensible report
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Urine 7 Drug Metabolites
Screening |
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In addition
to the five drug metabolites included in the standard 5 Drug
Panel the 7 Drug panel includes the detection of
Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines metabolites
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Confirmation on "positives"
(Gas Chromatograpy
and Mass
Spectrophotometry). |
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Samples that
indicate a positive result to the screening test are subjected to a
confirmatory analysis using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GCMS).
The GCMS analysis is a sophisticated methodology used to confirm the
presence of, and identify the nature of the drug entity or
metabolite responsible for the positive screen result.
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Blood Alcohol Level |
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Ethyl
alcohol (ethanol) is measured by a gas chromatographic
procedure which is able to differentiate it from other
alcohols, notably methanol and isopropanol. The results of a
urine ethanol assay is expressed qualitatively as "positive"
or "negative". The quantitative measurement of ethanol in
blood (which requires a 4 ml specimen in a fluoride-oxalate
container) is the preferred test in chronic alcoholism or in
an acutely intoxicated patient.
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Urine
Nicotine Metabolites |
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Marker for
active smoking; medical surveillance and smoking cessation
programs
Cotinine is the major metabolite of nicotine and may be
detected for as long as 7 days after exposure. Cutoff is set
high to rule out passive inhalation.
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