5 Panel Drug Test

 

5 Panel Drug Test What is it?

The most popular sort of drug test offered to both individuals and companies is the five-panel test. A  5-panel drug test is a great choice for employers wishing to implement a trustworthy drug testing program because it is frequently utilized by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and other Federal tests.  The five-panel drug test is frequently used for random drug testing.

The following drugs are detected by five-panel drug screens:

·                 Marijuana/Cannabis (THC)

·               Cocaine (COC)

·             Phencyclidine (PCP)

·           Amphetamines (AMP)

·         Opiates (OPI)

Marijuana/Cannabis (THC)

The substance for which people test positive for drugs the most frequently is marijuana, commonly known as tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. It only appears naturally and in the cannabis plant, often known as marijuana. Under the brand name Marinol, a pharmaceutical formulation that is essentially synthetic THC is sold only by prescription. Marijuana comes in a variety of forms, including dried flower buds, hash, oil, and baked goods like cookies and brownies. Users can either consume the baked items or smoke the hash, oil, or dried buds. Cannabis has modest to moderate analgesic effects when consumed or inhaled. This might result in feelings of anxiety or paranoia as well as sensations of relaxation and exhilaration. Because marijuana changes the release of transmitters in the periaqueductal grey (PAG) and the dorsal root ganglion in the spinal cord, it is also used to treat pain. Additionally, THC has been shown to increase hunger, and it is often recommended for this function when an illness or cancer treatment, such as radiation therapy, results in a decreased appetite. Despite the fact that several states permit the legal prescription of marijuana for medical purposes, the federal government still categorizes it as a Schedule 1 drug with no accepted medical use. Therefore, regardless of whether it is legal in a given jurisdiction, THC is still tested for in all normal 5-panel drug tests.

Phencyclidine/PC

Phencyclidine, popularly known as PCP or angel dust, is a lawfully produced animal tranquilizer that is frequently stolen or illegally manufactured in laboratories. Either a clear, yellowish liquid or a powder form is available. There are numerous ways to consume PCP, including sniffing, smoking, and injecting. Dangerous hallucinations are the side effects, and long-term use can lead to schizophrenia-like conditions. The federal government classifies PCP as a Schedule 2 drug.

Cocaine, sometimes known as coke, is a potent stimulant typically used for recreational purposes. It is made from the South American native cocoa plant's leaves, which are then processed. Cocaine typically takes the shape of a white powder and is frequently combined with fillers that have a similar appearance, like baking soda. It is typically injected, snorted, or breathed to achieve its numbing and/or wakefulness effects. It can also be used to suppress hunger.

Cocaine is classified by the federal government as a Schedule 2 substance, meaning it has a significantly higher potential for addiction and misuse than narcotics on Schedule 1. Cocaine is regarded as extremely harmful and tested for because it can lead to physical or psychological dependence if used frequently.

Amphetamines

Since the user frequently crushes amphetamine pills for snorting, they are susceptible to fake fillers, much like cocaine. Adderall and Ritalin are two popular types that are used to treat ADD and ADHD. Like cocaine, but to a lesser extent, amphetamines are stimulants and appetite suppressants. Since they enable the user to remain aware and awake longer and be much more concentrated, they are commonly known to be used as a "study drug" among college and high school students. Methamphetamine, sometimes known as "meth," is a highly addictive and hazardous type of amphetamine that can be found in powder or crystallized form. Meth is extremely addictive and violent, and it takes more of it each time to get the same high. Long-term use damages dopamine receptors and renders pleasure perception impossible. Both amphetamine and methamphetamine are classified as Schedule 2 drugs because of their significant misuse potential and potential for developing harmful physical dependency or psychological addiction. Amphetamine use for recreational purposes is prohibited, despite being legal to obtain with a prescription.

When detecting amphetamine and methamphetamine, the five-panel drug test will also pick up 3, 4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA), popularly known as Ecstasy or Molly.

How to Perform a 5-Panel Drug Test?

Saliva (oral fluid) can be used in 5-Panel Drug Tests in addition to hair follicles and urine. A lab-based test or point of care testing (POCT), also known as express testing, can be used for these. Samples are collected for lab-based testing, after which they are delivered to the lab for analysis.

Although lab-based testing is thought to be more accurate, POCT tests can provide answers rapidly, frequently in a matter of minutes, which is crucial in some employment circumstances. However, the time between sending samples to a lab and getting the findings back could be 2 to 5 business days. Additionally, POCT tests are typically less expensive for businesses to administer and more practical for employees.

To rule out the potential of a false positive and help ensure the legal justification of any actions taken by the employer, a laboratory test must confirm a positive POCT result. A Medical Review Officer (MRO) can also safeguard the business.