Drugs of Abuse Urine Testing

Drugs of Abuse Urine Testing

Article
Behavioral & Mental Health
Teen Health
+1
Contributed byMaulik P. Purohit MD MPHMay 26, 2018

What are the other Names for this Test? (Equivalent Terms)

  • Sports Doping Urine Test
  • Substance Abuse Urine Test
  • Urine Drug Screening Test

What is Drugs of Abuse Urine Testing? (Background Information)

  • Ethanol (drinking alcohol) is the most commonly abused legal substance. Additionally, performance-enhancing drugs, such as steroids and erythropoietin, can be tested
  • To test for the presence of the above compounds, an initial screen is first performed. The initial screen detects the presence of a drug or its byproducts
  • However, the initial screen may detect compounds that are similar to illegal drugs and their byproducts. To differentiate between this and a legitimate drug abuse, a secondary test is performed, which is more sensitive
  • The Drugs of Abuse Urine Testing is used to detect the presence of illegal drugs or their byproducts in urine. The test is used to determine if an individual has taken illegal drugs. It is also used to diagnose a drug overdose

The National Institute for Drug Abuse (NIDA) has put together a list of the most commonly abused drugs. These include:

  • Amphetamines – stimulants (e.g. methamphetamine and Adderall®)
  • Barbiturates – depressants (e.g. phenobarbital)
  • Benzodiazepines – depressants (e.g. diazepam or Valium®)
  • Cannabinoids – hallucinogens (e.g. marijuana)
  • Cocaine
  • Opiates – depressants (e.g. codeine, morphine)
  • Phencyclidine (PCP)
  • Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)

What are the Clinical Indications for performing the Drugs of Abuse Urine Testing?

Following are the clinical indications for performing the Drugs of Abuse Urine Tests:

  • Routine screening for medical, legal, forensic, or athletic (sports) purposes
  • Diagnosing a drug overdose that is marked by:
    • Nausea
    • Erratic behavior
    • Dilated pupils
    • Vomiting
    • Dizziness
    • Seizures
    • Abdominal cramps

How is the Specimen Collected for Drugs of Abuse Urine Testing?

Following is the specimen collection process for Drugs of Abuse Urine Testing:

Sample required: Urine

Process: Urination into a sterile container at a random time.

Preparation required: No special preparation is needed prior to the test.

What is the Significance of the Drugs of Abuse Urine Testing Result?

  • Positive Drugs of Abuse Urine Test indicate that an individual’s urine contains significant levels of a drug of abuse.

The laboratory test results are NOT to be interpreted as results of a "stand-alone" test. The test results have to be interpreted after correlating with suitable clinical findings and additional supplemental tests/information. Your healthcare providers will explain the meaning of your tests results, based on the overall clinical scenario.

Additional and Relevant Useful Information:

  • Some drugs, such as methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA), are difficult to test because adequate procedures are not available, unlike for many other drugs
  • Furthermore, drugs like gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) are quickly cleared from the body. Thus, by the time a test is performed, significant levels may not remain in the body

Certain medications that you may be currently taking may influence the outcome of the test. Hence, it is important to inform your healthcare provider, the complete list of medications (including any herbal supplements) you are currently taking. This will help the healthcare provider interpret your test results more accurately and avoid unnecessary chances of a misdiagnosis.

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Maulik P. Purohit MD MPH picture
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Maulik P. Purohit MD MPH

Assistant Medical Director, Medical Editorial Board, DoveMed Team

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