Drug Testing
Drug testing is a larger part of
life than most people realize and drug testing can make
or break various opportunities in a person's social,
familial and work life. Most employers rely upon drug
testing to make sure that their new employees are not
using or abusing illegal substances. Many Fortune 500
companies issue mandatory drug tests too all of their
new prospects. Other times drug testing is used within
family units to find out if a substance abuser that
says he/she has stopped is actually telling the truth.
There are hundreds, many thousands
of varieties of drug tests, and drug testing can be
done using hair, blood and urine to determine the drug
traces in a person's body. Each drug stays in a person's
body for a different amount of time and in order to
achieve the drug testing results you desire (i.e. you
want someone to admit to using opiates) you need to
follow appropriate directions and timing in order to
have effective drug testing.
Drug testing is also useful within
the legal system to check up on people with drug-related
crimes, either who are on house arrest or probation.
Drug testing has been heavily used within outpatient
treatment programs and counseling. Many times drug testing
done within a medical facility will be random and unplanned
so that the client's cannot plan ahead and try to "pass"
the test using other chemicals and products.
While drug testing is not a treatment
program, it is one of the first steps in helping a person
confront a problem with drugs or alcohol. Substance
abusers are likely to be in denial of any problem they
might have that is related to drugs or alcohol but numerous
"dirty" tests can help prove they do indeed
have a problem.
Urinalysis is a common form of drug
testing and requires a person to urinate into a specimen
cup, which is then examined by a medical professional.
Blood tests are not commonly used for actual drug testing,
but rather for drug related diseases and infections
including HIV/AIDS. Drugs can only be detected for about
48 hours after consumption thus making it ineffective
in many areas. Hair tests are also used because the
toxins within the drugs circulated throughout the body
and feed into hair follicles. These toxins are trapped
in the hair follicle and then tested by professionals
in a medical laboratory.
Drug testing is an important part
of the recovery process if a person believes he/she
does not really have a problem with drugs or alcohol.
Parents and family members often initiate the use of
drug testing if they feel as though the individual who
has a problem with substances is not responding in a
positive way. While drug testing is an effective way
to deduce information about a person's lifestyle and
drug use, more must be done for a person to change his/her
patterns and behaviors. Medical detoxs, inpatient treatment
and clean and sober living facilities are beneficial
to a substance abuser willing to try life free of drugs
and alcohol.
If you or someone you love has a
problem with substance abuse and has not responded to
regular drug testing or outpatient treatment there are
more comprehensive alternatives available. At Treatment
Referral we dedicate ourselves to helping families and
individuals recovery from substance abuse and addiction.
Therapy, recovery plans, and support groups can help
the dependent individual rediscover life. If you need
help, please contact us. 800.399.3612
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