Urine drug screening is a simple, non-invasive way to detect drugs of abuse in a person. One urine screening test is the 10-panel drug screen test, which is done on urine and, as the name implies, detects up to ten different drug metabolites in the sample.

Reasons for Testing

Certain employers screen prospective employees as a condition of employment. Courts may also order drug screening of people on probation or parole as a condition of their agreement. Some physicians screen their patients to rule out drug use in cases of mental disturbances.

Urine Drug Tests

When the body processes any drug, the drug is converted to other substances, called metabolites. Metabolites are generally water-soluble, so they are excreted in urine. Urine drug tests detect these metabolites.

10-Panel Drug Screen

The 10-panel drug screen generally detects the metabolites of drugs included, but not limited to: marijuana, heroin, cocaine, PCP, opiates, methamphetamine, barbiturates, tricyclic antidepressants, benzodiazepines (valium), amphetamines, and methadone.

Confirmatory Testing

The 10-panel drug screen is done with a card impregnated with antibodies against the different metabolites. These cards are subject to false-positive results. To confirm these results, confirmatory testing with other lab methods may be required.

Masking and Cheating

Several products are advertised that promise to help mask the presence of drug metabolites in the urine. Most tests try to keep a step ahead of any such methods. Some people may also try cheating when giving their urine sample by providing urine from someone else or a liquid that is not their urine.

Source:

10-Panel Drug Test

Urine Drug Screen

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration