Frequently Asked Questions Substance Abuse Drug Tests Drugs

Substance Abuse Prevention

1. What do I need to know for my drug screen?

Do not drink too much water before a screen. It could cause you to dilute out and may also be considered a fail, or you could be required to re-test.
THC can stay in the body for different lengths of time depending on many factors, including how the THC was ingested, gender, a person’s diet, and amount of physical activity. Forget the “30-day rule.”
Know the type of test you need and ask questions to understand so that you don’t pay too much. Not all tests are designed to do the same thing.
If you need an OBSERVED drug screen, please make sure you notify us when making your appointment.
We require appointments so that clients do not have to wait. We have everything ready and waiting when you arrive. The average time in and out is 16 minutes.
Do not believe everything you read on the internet concerning drug testing.

2. At what age should I sit down with my children to discuss the dangers of drugs?

It’s never too early to share how you feel about drugs and what your expectations are in terms of zero tolerance of drug use by your children. A study showed that 74% of 4th graders wished their parents would speak with them about drugs.

3. At what age should I begin randomly drug testing my child?

Every family situation is different. Some children are experimenting with drugs as young as 8 and 9 years old. We suggest that a program of random drug testing is implemented by the age of 12.

4. What should I do if my child tests positive for drugs or alcohol?

First of all, stay calm. You are in control and now have the proof that your child is using drugs. Our program manual teaches you how to respond to a positive test. We’re with you every step of the way. Should your child need counseling or treatment, we have the resources to help you take the next steps.

5. Is there a way to get a sample without my child’s knowledge?

Some children may refuse to comply with taking a drug test. We address this issue in our program manual. As a last resort, we do offer parents a method to test their child without the child’s knowledge.

6. In a multi-drug test, how will I know which drug tests positive?

Each panel shows the positive or negative result for a particular drug or drug category. So you know at a glance which drug you have tested positive for if there is one red line on the test strip.

7. What are the warning signs of drug and alcohol abuse in Teens?

Be on the look out for warning signs such as:
Skipping school, a drop in grades, and changes in friends
Changes in appearance, mood, behavior, or motivation
Missing money, valuables, liquor or beer
Discovery of smoking paraphernalia (e.g., pipes, papers, small containers, baggies, or short sections of drinking straws)
Frequent unexplained colds, nausea, or watery or red eyes

8. What are some of the warning signs of drug and alcohol abuse in Adults?

In addition to several of the warning signs of abuse listed for Teens, be observant of the following signs:
Inability to remember what he or she said or did while under the influence of drugs or drinking
Avoiding family or close friends while drinking
Fails to keep prommises
Depression or anxiety

Drugs in the Workplace

1. I am an employee (for example, truck driver, merchant mariner, pilot, etc) covered under the DOT regulations. Can you give me specific information on the DOT regulations?

We provide convenient Drug Tests for Department of Transportation (DOT) testing for those in safety-sensitive positions. DOT drug tests are required in the following situations: pre-employment; reasonable suspicion/cause; random testing; return-to-duty testing; follow-up testing; and post-accident testing. Contact us to schedule an appointment for a DOT Drug Screen.

2. What percentage of random tests should be conducted each year for an employer to maintain an effective deterrence and detection program?

There is no established optimum percentage of random tests that will ensure the most effective deterrence and detection program. Logically, a very small percentage (e.g., 5 percent) may not be sufficient to deter or detect someone abusing an illicit substance, while a very high percentage (e.g., 95 percent) might be much more than is needed to maintain an effective program. The Department of Transportation permits the percentage of random tests to vary depending on the positive rate. In some cases, an industry is permitted to test at a 10 percent random rate while another industry is required to test at a 50 percent rate. Please contact DOT at 202-366-3784 for additional information on its policy.

Drug Tests

1. Will substances that I use regularly like vitamins, penicillin, aspirin and caffeine affect the results in any way?

No – because our rapid drug tests react to drugs and drug metabolites, not to these substances which have a different chemical structure.

2. If a drug test shows positive, can it be proved how long ago the drug was taken?

Saliva, urine and blood only show up a positive or negative result, not how long ago a drug has been taken.

3. Can one test be used for all the possible drugs of abuse?

No, it cannot. Each drug needs a specific test. We do offer multi-drug tests – up to 10 drugs can be tested at a time.

4. How do your rapid drug tests work?

Rapid drug tests detect the presence of drug metabolites in saliva or urine in minutes. When a detection strip is wetted with a saliva or urine specimen, the specimen reacts with the reagents and antigens on the strip and produces a color reading so you can interpret a positive or negative result.

5. What is the difference between a Dip Card Test and an Integrated Cup Test?

The Dip Card is dipped into a urine specimen to obtain results. A cup is a convenient method of testing where the specimen is collected in the cup and tested there as well. There is no handling of the specimen.

6. How accurate are your drug-testing products?

Our products are reliable. Our tests are United States FDA-cleared (unless stated otherwise). Laboratory testing has revealed that they are over 99% accurate. However, it is always advisable to get results confirmed by a laboratory.

7. If I receive a positive drug test result, what should I do?

Confirm that it is indeed positive through a laboratory test.

DNA Paternity / Maternity Testing

1. How accurate is DNA paternity testing?

DNA paternity testing is very accurate and yields results that indicate a probability of paternity greater than 99% (inclusion) or 0% (exclusion).

2. How quickly can DNA test results be obtained?

For paternity and maternity tests, we will provide a detailed and comprehensive report within 5-7 business days after our lab partner receives the DNA samples.

3. What situations might require DNA testing?

DNA paternity and maternity testing results are often required or are useful in the following siutations:
Obtaining child support
Gaining visitation rights or child custody
Providing family relationships for immigration cases
Having peace of mind from knowing the true father or mother
Establishing eligibility for Social Security or military benefits
Protecting one’s estate from illegitimate claims
Providing Native American ancestry for tribal rights
Confirming biological relationship between an adoptive child and birth parents or other possible relations
Resolving adoption disputes

Testing Preparation

Please take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with some tips on preparing for your test. These few minutes will save you lots of time and money.