Are the rapid drug tests as accurate as GC/MS?

Our drug tests are qualitative, which means it only determines the presence of drugs at detection limits comparable to SAMHSA cut-off concentration. GC/MS, which costs more, quantifies the concentration of drugs in the sample. Given the purposes of most drug testing (pre-employment, post-accident, random) is to detect the presence of drug use and not determine the amounts ingested, our rapid drug test satisfies the needs of almost all Drug Screening Programs.

What is the shelf life of the on-site test devices?

Our test devices have a shelf life of 18 months from the date of manufacture. The expiration date of each Lot of devices is indicated on each individual foil pouch and can be used up until that date.

Do the results hold up in court?

Rapid Drug test provides only a preliminary analytical test result. A more specific alternate chemical method must be used in order to obtain a confirmed analytical result- gas chromatography / mass spectrometry (GC/MS) is the preferred confirmatory method. Any result taken to court, must be confirmed.

What are the screening cutoff concentrations?

The screening cutoff concentrations of our tests are consistent with those of SAMHSA. Those cutoff levels are as follows:

Amphetamines - 1000 ng/ml

Barbiturates - 300 ng/ml

Benzodiazepines - 300 ng/ml

Cannabis - 50 ng/ml

Cocaine - 300 ng/ml

Methadone - 300 ng/ml

Methamphetamines - 1000 ng/ml

Opiates - 2000 ng/ml

PCP - 25 ng/ml

Tricyclic Antidepressants - 1000 ng/ml

How long do drugs stay in the system?

Amphetamines - 2-6 days

Barbiturates - 3-8 days

Benzodiazepines - 2-14 days

Cannabis - 14-30 days

Cocaine - 2-5 days

Methadone - 2-8 days

Methamphetamines - 2-6 days

Opiates - 2-5 days

PCP - 3-8 days

Tricyclic Antidepressants - 10 days

How accurate are your drug tests?

Laboratory test results for drugs of abuse have indicated a greater than 97% accuracy when used according to the instructions.

Will commonly used substances such as vitamins, penicillin, aspirin, caffeine and acetaminophen (Tylenol), affect the results?

No. Our tests are drug and drug metabolite specific.These commonly taken substances are chemically and structurally different after being metabolized by the body from the drugs being tested for and therefore, under most circumstances, not interfere with or compromise test results.

Are there any legal medications that can trigger positive results?

Yes. The most common problem is the pseudoephedrine in many over-the-counter sinus and cold medications, which can cause a positive result for methamphetamine. A GC/MS confirmation as well as a MRO review is necessary to determine the source of the positive result. Some forms of the drugs we test for may be available legally under prescription as well.

What is the difference between Methamphetamine and Amphetamine?

Both amphetamine and methamphetamine are potent symphathominetic agents. Methamphetamine is the parent drug. It metabolizes into amphetamine in the body. Methamphetamine and/or amphetamine are excreted in the urine.

Are Morphine, Opiates, and Heroin the same kind of drug?

Yes, they are all tested using the Opiates test. These drugs are from the same family of drugs.

When a large quantity of alcohol is consumed, usually over a short period of time, alcohol poisoning can result. The human body is capable of processing 1 to 1.5 ounces of alcohol in an hour. This is the amount usually contained in a standard drink a 12 ounce bottle of beer, a five ounce glass of wine, or one mixed drink (however, many mixed drinks and punches contain far greater quantities of alcohol).

It is well known that alcohol is a depressant and dulls or weakens functioning abilities of the nerves which control an individual's breathing, heartbeat and gag reflex. The gag reflex is activated when the body cannot process all of the alcohol consumed. What it cannot process, is vomited out, due to the gag reflex. When the gag reflex is weak, the body absorbs even the extra alcohol, which otherwise it would excrete as vomit. In extreme cases, this can cause alcohol poisoning.

The following are the symptoms that indicate possible alcohol poisoning:

1. The person is unconscious

2. The person is taking in less than 12 breaths per minute, or no breaths at all for up to 10 seconds at a time.

3. The skin/lips are cold and turning blue in color

If you happen to be with someone displaying the symptoms of alcohol poisoning, you should call for emergency help immediately. In the meanwhile, turn the person over to their side in order to prevent them from choking if they happen to vomit in the state of unconsciousness.

Other symptoms to be watched out for in a person who has been drinking too much are:

1. Slurred speech

2. Difficulty walking or standing up

3. Unpredictable behavior

4. Inability to make eye contact or continue a conversation

5. A lot of vomiting and feeling ill

At the hospital, the patient suffering from alcohol poisoning may undergo a stomach wash, where a saline solution is used to wash and pump out its contents. Alcohol poisoning is a serious effect of excessive drinking and can be fatal if not attended to in time.

There is a common understanding that mixing drinks will make you more drunk. For example mixing beer with, say vodka. However, mixing alcoholic drinks will not make one more or less drunk. What is important is the amount of alcohol consumed in a specific amount of time. But, combinations of certain beverages may cause the drinker's stomach to get upset. Each individual should keenly watch their body's own reactions and drink accordingly.

Alcohol poisoning or even unpleasant drunken behavior can be avoided by taking the following simple precautions:

1. Take your drink slowly

2. Sip your drink, don't swallow big gulps

3. Dilute your drinks

4. Avoid undiluted shots

5. Take alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks alternately

6. Be on a full stomach before you begin drinking

An alcohol addiction treatment program consists of three general alcoholism treatment option steps. These three steps are intervention, detoxification and rehabitation.

Many persons with a drinking problem do not see or acknowledge that they have a problem with alcohol abuse. Intervention used in an alcohol addiction treatment program used to be more confrontational since problem drinkers would be confronted about their excessive drinking and threatened with consequences if they did not begin treatment.

Today, the more effective alcoholism treatment option consists of caring and understanding counseling and intervention. Studies have found that more people begin an alcohol addiction treatment program when family members or employers are honest with them and try to help the drinker see that alcohol abuse is adversely affecting their health and lives in many ways.

Family or friends may need to help start the process of drinking problem recognition by reading relevant books on the subject to become better informed, by contacting their healthcare professional or by locating the nearest Alcoholics Anonymous or similar group.

An alcohol addiction treatment program intervention is a structured process where a group of family members, friends or co-workers get together in a caring way to communicate their concerns about a problem drinker's behavior. Done correctly, intervention has the objective of moving the person (and those who are part of the problem drinker's life) out of crisis mode and into addressing the addiction. Without the problem drinker recognizing and acknowledging that he or she has a drinking problem, there can be no effective and lasting alcoholism treatment option.

Here are the three main alcohol addiction treatment program steps:

1. Intervention - this is the initial alcoholism treatment option whereby the drinking problem is recognized and acknowledged by the drinker and perhaps family members or employer as well. Once the alcohol problem is recognized, alcohol consumption is stopped for those persons that are alcohol dependent.

If the person is a problem drinker, moderate drinking may be successful. Many alcoholics at first will not acknowledge that their drinking is out of control, and moderation can often be a successful way to deal with the drinking problem. If moderation works, the drinking problem is solved. If it doesn't work, then the person is usually ready to try abstinence. Because alcoholism affects the people closely related to the problem drinker, education and treatment for family members through counseling is often necessary.

2. Detoxification - this phase of an alcohol addiction treatment program usually takes from 4 to 7 days. The more alcohol a person has been drinking each day, the higher the likelihood the person will develop alcohol withdrawal symptoms when they stop drinking.

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can range from annoying and uncomfortable to serious and even life-threatening. Withdrawal symptoms generally begin within 12 hours of the last alcohol consumption and will be the maximum in two or three days. The person may need to stay at the hospital for medical observation.

In a medically supervised environment, withdrawal from alcohol can be done safely, and medications can be used as needed to relieve withdrawal symptoms. Other medical problems that may exist increase the likelihood of developing severe withdrawal symptoms. For example, blood clotting and liver problems are often found in heavy drinkers, and serious symptoms such as convulsions, fever or delirium tremens can develop.

3. Rehabilitation - recovery from alcoholism should include support for the problem drinker once the detoxification alcoholism treatment option phase is completed to help maintain alcohol abstinence. This important recovery support will likely include counseling, nursing and medical care within these kinds of programs. Alcoholism disease education and alcohol effects on the body should be part of this alcoholism treatment option and rehab.

An alcohol addiction treatment program can be an inpatient or outpatient program. Medications are sometimes prescribed in alcoholism treatment to help prevent relapses. Naltrexone will reduce the desire for alcohol. Antabuse is another drug that is used in alcoholism treatment. It functions by producing unpleasant side effects if any alcohol is consumed within fourteen days after the drug is taken. Counseling or support groups are often needed on a long-term basis to help maintain sobriety.

Alcoholism and alcohol abuse can become life-threatening if not treated. It is never too late to begin the process of intervention, detoxification and rehabilitation to help a problem drinker regain control of their health and their lives.

If you'd like to see what alcoholism treatment option facilities exist, you can search online for a USA alcohol abuse treatment center that's located near you. If recovery from alcohol becomes a priority in your life or the life of someone you care about, seek an alcohol addiction treatment program that can provide the caring and professional alcoholism treatment that the problem drinker truly deserves.