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Drug Toxicology Test
Synonyms
Megaloblastic Anemia, Urine, tox screen, drug test, Drug Toxicology Test
Purpose
Drug toxicology testing is used to detect the presence of drugs, alcohol, or toxic chemicals in a person’s urine, blood, or other biological samples. It identifies both prescription and illicit substances, including opioids, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, cannabis, alcohol, and more.
This test is important for monitoring substance use in patients undergoing treatment for addiction, diagnosing overdoses or accidental poisoning in emergencies, and ensuring workplace or legal compliance (e.g., for employment, sports, or court cases).
Depending on the clinical need, additional tests may be performed alongside drug toxicology testing, such as blood alcohol testing, liver function tests (to assess damage from substance use), kidney function tests, and a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP).
Patient Preparation for a Drug Toxicology Test
Certain medicines and supplements should be avoided before the test.
Samples
5ml urine collected in a plastic urine container. No use of containers with soap, disinfectants, cleaning agents, or other possible contaminants. Refrigerate.
Reference Range
N/A
Results Turnaround
4 – 6 days after receipt of samples.
Diseases / Diagnostic Indicators
Clinicians use drug toxicology testing to identify specific drugs or their metabolites in the body and determine whether a person has recently used or been exposed to certain substances. It plays a critical role in diagnosing drug abuse, overdose, and poisoning, and in monitoring adherence to prescribed treatments.
Possible outcomes of the test include:
- Positive result: The test detects one or more targeted substances in the sample, suggesting recent drug use, misuse of prescription medication, or exposure to toxic substances. Healthcare providers often conduct further confirmatory testing (e.g., GC-MS) to validate the result.
- Negative result: The test does not detect any of the targeted substances at or above the established threshold. This outcome may indicate that the individual has not used the substance recently or that the levels present are too low for detection.
- Inconclusive or invalid result: The test may produce an inconclusive or invalid outcome due to sample tampering, contamination, or improper sample collection. In these cases, healthcare professionals typically request a repeat test.
These outcomes help clinicians make informed decisions about diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, or legal and occupational matters. For more on Drug testing, read this study.