Drug testing is often a routine step in the pre-employment screening process &#; and for a good reason. Drug use on the job can cause accidents, conflicts, and liability issues that could be avoided if companies are able to identify drug use early on.
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A 5-panel drug test is a type of drug test employers can use to detect prescription or illicit drugs. Read on to learn how the test works, what it screens for, and drug testing laws that candidates and employers should know.
A 5-panel drug test screens for five types of illegal substances and commonly abused prescription drugs. Typically, a urine sample is collected for the 5-panel drug screening, but sweat, hair, blood, or saliva may also be tested.
A 5-panel drug test may be used as part of a pre-employment background check, such as for positions regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT). However, 5-panel drug tests are not typically used for other regulated industries, such as law enforcement, healthcare, or government, where more in-depth screenings are often required.
Employers that use 5-panel drug testing can choose to work with a qualified background check provider, like GoodHire, for background checks. This not only helps ensure efficient and accurate testing, but can help employers stay compliant with all federal, state, and local drug testing laws.
A 5-panel drug test identifies metabolites in an individual&#;s system, which are chemicals that remain after your body metabolizes certain substances, such as food or drugs. They typically screen for metabolites linked to the following drug types:
Although 5-panel tests do not screen for the presence of alcohol, labs may offer an add-on to include alcohol detection. Before using a 5-panel drug test, employers in states where marijuana is decriminalized or legalized should be aware of any local regulations regulating testing for marijuana &#; especially with rapidly changing legislation.
How far back a 5-panel drug test can go depends on the type of sample taken, the type of drug used, and the frequency of use. Some types of drugs may have a longer detection period when used frequently. For example, people that smoke marijuana occasionally may have no detectable THC in their system after only a few days. However, in heavy marijuana smokers, THC may be detectable in urine for several weeks. Alcohol can also have an effect on the metabolism of drugs and vary drug detection time frames.
Below is an approximate breakdown of how long a drug may be detectable in a urine drug test.
SubstanceDetection Time FrameAmphetamines48 hoursCocaine2-4 daysMarijuana2-3 days for light smokers; 5 days for moderate smokers; 10 days for daily smokers; up to 28 days for chronic smokersOpiates2-3 daysPhencyclidine~8 days, or up to 30 days for chronic usersThe following are estimated time frames that drugs may be detectable in blood, saliva, and hair:
SubstanceBloodSalivaHairAmphetamines~12 hours24-48 hoursup to 90 daysCocaine1-2 daysup to 72 hoursup to 90 daysMarijuanaup to 2 weeksup to 24 hoursup to 90 daysOpiatesup to 24 hoursup to 4 daysup to 90 daysPhencyclidine1-4 hours1-3 daysup to 90 daysThe results from a 5-panel drug test are typically ready a few business days after the sample is received by the lab. The final report will show a positive, negative, or inconclusive result for each of the five substances. Here is a closer look at how to read 5-panel drug test results:
Before pre-employment test results are sent to an employer, they are typically reviewed by a Medical Review Officer (MRO) to confirm positive test results or ensure that it was not a false positive. MROs are licensed physicians who are trained and certified to review and validate lab test results.
When results are questionable, the MRO may reach out to the candidate to discuss if they have taken any physician-directed prescription drugs or eaten any foods that could affect results. Or, they may order confirmatory testing to rule out a false positive. After the MRO has completed the review, employers are given the positive or negative test certification. At this time, the candidate can choose to dispute the findings or request further explanation of their test results.
While federal law does not prohibit employer drug testing of candidates and existing employees, employers are still required to stay compliant with federal, state, and local fair hiring practices, which include drug testing regulations. Here is a closer look at the key laws employers may need to know:
A 5-panel drug test screens for commonly abused prescription medications and drugs, including amphetamines, phencyclidine, cocaine, opiates, and marijuana.
Urine lab tests can detect the presence of some drugs from two to 28 days, depending on the substance and frequency of use. Hair samples can detect drugs for up to 90 days, while saliva and blood tests may only be able to detect the presence of drugs for just a few hours or up to a few days, depending on the substance.
Urine testing is often the industry standard for conducting drug tests. However, blood, saliva, and hair may also be used for 5-panel drug tests.
Yes. 5-panel drug tests are typically conducted using a candidate&#;s urine sample, however sweat, hair, blood, or saliva may also be tested.
No, a 5-panel drug test does not screen for or detect alcohol. However, if the test taker drinks alcohol, it could affect the results.
Yes. A 5-panel drug test screen includes marijuana. When conducted using a urine lab test, a 5-panel drug test can detect marijuana for two to three days for light smokers; five days for moderate smokers; 10 days for daily smokers; and up to 28 days for chronic smokers.
No. 5-panel drug tests do not test for steroids. They only test for the presence of amphetamines, phencyclidine, cocaine, opiates, and marijuana.
Drug testing can help employers make informed hiring decisions, while promoting a safer work environment, and mitigating risk. Partnering with a professional employment screening provider, like GoodHire, can streamline the entire background check process, including drug testing, while supporting compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. GoodHire offers a suite of drug testing options, including a 5-panel test, with fast, accurate test results verified by a Medical Review Officer. Get started.
Disclaimer
The resources provided here are for educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. We advise you to consult your own counsel if you have legal questions related to your specific practices and compliance with applicable laws.
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As GoodHire&#;s managing editor, Sara Korolevich produces educational resources for employers on a variety of employment screening topics, including compliance and screening best practices, and writes about GoodHire&#;s company and product news. Sara&#;s experience stems from 20+ years working as a B2C and B2B PR and communications professional.
Urine drug screens test for the presence of specific drugs and medications. It's most commonly used in the workplace to detect substance abuse issues or in a medical setting, for doctors to check for prescription drug abuse or the use of illegal substances. Or, it may be used in emergency treatment, so that EMTs can quickly screen for drugs that could explain a patient's symptoms or unusual behavior.
A sensitive, accurate urine testing can make a difference in treating someone who may be having a medical emergency or ensuring that any disciplinary action at work is fair and based on accurate information.
We will answer some of the most common questions about drug tests including how far back they go.
It All Depends on the Type of Test
There are several different types of testing methods that are used for urine drug tests, each with its own advantages and limitations. One common method is the instant result "panel cup" test, which provides quick and preliminary results. These tests are often used in workplace settings and for initial screenings, but they may not be as sensitive as more advanced tests. Another common method is gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), which is a highly accurate and precise testing method that can detect even trace amounts of drugs in the urine. This method involves separating the urine sample into its individual components and then analyzing each component for the presence of drugs.
Another type of testing method that may be used for urine drug tests is liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), which is a more recent and advanced testing method. LC-MS/MS is able to detect a wider range of drugs and metabolites than GC-MS, and it is also able to detect lower concentrations of drugs in the urine. &#;Using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry testing methods, we are able to identify several analytes throughout various drug classes and their corresponding metabolites in every urine specimen we run through the instrument. The science behind LCMS is so precise that we can result out how many nanograms per microliter of a substance are detected in every specimen,&#; says Rhyan Walcott, Meridian Diagnostics CEO. This makes it a particularly useful method for detecting prescription drugs and other substances that may be present in low concentrations. Ultimately, the choice of testing method will depend on a number of factors, including the specific drugs being tested for, the sensitivity of the test required, and the resources available for testing.
What Drugs Typically Show Up On a Test?
Urine tests can detect a variety of chemicals in the body, both legal prescription drugs and illegal narcotics. Common prescription drugs that may be detected are:
Barbiturates
Benzodiazepines
Diuretics
Erythropoietin
Hydrocodone
Hydromorphone
Methadone
Methaqualone
Oxycodone
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Oxymorphone
Propoxyphene
Steroids and HGH
Urine screenings also pick up street drugs, such as:
Cocaine
Marijuana
Opiates, including heroin, codeine, and morphine
Phencyclidine (PCP)
Amphetamines, including meth
Sensitive tests can detect not only the presence of one or more drugs in an individual's urine but also the amounts of each. Urine tests are an alternative to a breath test or blood test when an individual is suspected of consuming alcohol. They can also be used to detect nicotine and cotinine, which is a substance produced by the body as it breaks down nicotine in the system.
How Does the Amount of a Substance in Your System Factor Into Drug Testing?
Frequent or heavy use may cause the drug to remain in the system longer than occasional use. For example, using marijuana once may result in the drug being detectable for only a few days, while frequent, daily use means that the drug may remain in the person's system for up to a month after the person last used the drug.
For the most part, however, drugs and alcohol take about 2 hours to start showing up in a person's urine. While the amount of the drug you take can determine how long it stays in your system, the urine test itself simply tests for the presence of the drug, not the concentration of the drug in your urine.
For example, alcohol metabolizes at the rate of one drink per hour (an ounce of liquor or one 12oz. beer). If someone drank 10 shots, then alcohol would be detectable in their urine for about 10 hours, even if they stopped drinking several hours before the test was administered.
How Accurate are Drug Tests?
Urine drug tests use "cut-off levels," which indicate that a person's urine must contain a certain amount of the substance in order to be considered a positive result. For example, people that may eat a poppyseed bagel and then take a drug test may have a false positive for opium. To limit this and other accidental false positives, there's a threshold that must be reached in order for a test to be positive, which varies with each type of drug.
The type of test may also affect the results, as some methods are more sensitive and therefore, more accurate than others.
Testing strips typically test for the presence of a specific drug, one for each strip. In a lab test, however, which uses immunoassay, mass spectrometry, or chromatography, the results can be more accurate than a simple yes-or-no and may even be able to detect whether or not the person used the drug that day or if it's still in their system from using a day or more prior.
Detection Times For Different Drugs in Urine
Different drugs will have a different length of time for detection. How long depends n a few things, including:
The person's body mass (how big or small they are)
Hydration levels, for example, someone who is dehydrated may have a longer time that the drug is detected
The acidity of the urine sample
How long ago the person took the drug
Whether or not the person is a heavy user of the drug
How the drug was administered
The concentration of a drug
A urine test can detect the presence of each drug within a certain period of time, but these times vary due to how long drugs take to be metabolized by the body. In general, expect drugs to stay in the system for:
Alcohol: 7&#;12 hours
Short-acting barbiturates: 24 hours
Amphetamines (including meth): 48 hours
Heroin: 48 hours
Morphine: 48&#;72 hours
Cocaine metabolites: 2&#;4 days
Methadone: 3 days
Short-acting benzodiazepines: 3 days
PCP: 8 days
Long-acting barbiturates: 3 weeks
Long-acting benzodiazepines: 30 days
The more sensitive the test and the more accurate the lab conducting the test is, then the more reliable the results will be. Rhyan Walcott, Chief Executive Officer at Meridian Diagnostics, states "Many of our toxicology clients range from drug rehabilitation and medically assisted treatment (MAT) centers, to hospitals and primary care physicians. Meridian Diagnostics recognizes that fast results are key in the healthcare space, so we ensure that our state of the art mass spectrometers are routinely maintained and provide the most accurate results."
Once You Take a Urine Drug Test, How Far Back Do They Go?
The answer relies on 3 factors:
Which substance
The quantity of the substance
The testing and sensitivity of the test.
The amount of time that a urine drug test can detect drugs in your system depends on the substance and quantity used. Different drugs have different metabolites that can remain in your body for different periods of time. For example, marijuana can be detected in urine for up to 30 days after use, while cocaine is typically only detectable for a few days. The more drugs that are used, the longer they will remain detectable in your urine. See our graphic on timelines for general detection guidelines.
The type of drug test you take can also impact how far back the results can go. An instant result "panel cup" test is typically less sensitive than a mass spectrometry or chromatography test at a diagnostic laboratory. Panel cup tests are often used for quick and preliminary results, but they may not detect lower levels of drugs that a more sensitive test would pick up. Mass spectrometry and chromatography tests are much more precise and can detect even trace amounts of drugs in your system, making them a better option for diagnostic purposes. Ultimately, the detection window for urine drug tests will vary depending on the individual, the substance used, and the type of test administered.
How Long Does it Take to Get Results of a Urine Drug Test?
The length of time it takes to receive results from a urine drug test can vary depending on the type of test being performed. Instant result "panel cup" tests can provide results in a matter of minutes, making them a convenient option for quick screenings. However, these tests are typically less sensitive and may not detect lower levels of drugs that a more accurate test would pick up. In contrast, more advanced tests like mass spectrometry and chromatography tests are typically sent to a diagnostic laboratory for analysis and can take anywhere from a few days to a week to receive results. While these tests take longer to process, they are much more precise and can detect even trace amounts of drugs in your system.
The time it takes to receive results from a urine drug test can also depend on factors such as the workload of the laboratory and the complexity of the test. For example, if a laboratory is experiencing a high volume of tests, the processing time may be longer. Additionally, if a test requires additional analysis or confirmation, it may take longer to receive results. In general, if you have concerns about the timing of your results, it is always best to consult with the laboratory or healthcare provider performing the test for more information.
Are there things you should do to prepare for a urine drug test?
Before taking a urine drug test, there are several things that you should avoid in order to ensure accurate results. First and foremost, it is important to avoid using any substances that could potentially show up on the test. This includes both illegal drugs as well as prescription medications that may be detected. If you are unsure whether a medication could interfere with the results of your drug test, it is always best to consult with your healthcare provider before taking the test. You should inform your technician of any medications you have taken that may show up in results.
Another important thing to avoid before a urine drug test is excessive fluid intake. While it is important to stay hydrated, drinking too much water or other fluids can dilute your urine and potentially affect the accuracy of the test. It is generally recommended to avoid drinking excessive amounts of fluids for at least a few hours before the test. Additionally, it is important to avoid consuming any substances that could alter the pH level of your urine, such as citrus fruits or acidic beverages. These can also affect the accuracy of the test and should be avoided in the hours leading up to the test. Ultimately, it is important to follow any specific instructions provided by the healthcare provider or laboratory administering the test to ensure accurate results.
It is important to note that attempting to "beat" a urine drug test by masking or diluting the results is not only unethical, but it is also highly unreliable. There are many myths and false methods circulating about how to avoid detection, such as drinking excessive amounts of water or using detox products. However, these methods are often ineffective and can lead to even more serious consequences. In fact, many labs are aware of these methods and have measures in place to detect when someone has tampered with their sample. Attempting to cheat the system can not only result in a positive test, but it can also lead to criminal charges and serious legal consequences. It is always best to be honest with your healthcare provider about any drug use and to follow the appropriate steps to address any issues that may arise.
Do You Need Reliable Drug Screening and Confirmations?
If you need reliable, accurate drug screening & confirmation services, choose Meridian Diagnostics. We offer a wide range of laboratory services, including urinary tract infection testing, blood tests, and respiratory pathogen panel testing. Contact us online today to learn more about our services.
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