DRUG TEST FAQ (U.A.'s for Employment/Military/Probation)

[Phreezer]

This is probably long over due.

We recieve a lot of posts by people asking about Urine analysis for Military or Employment. These types of tests DO NOT check for Anabolic Steroids. Checking for Steroids is extremely expensive and employers will not foot the bill for these types of tests for pre-employment screening. If you have been hired, and they have reason to suspect you and they want to get rid of you, your employer may test you for Anabolic Androgenic Steroids.

We also recieve lots of posts about people questioning if the tests their Parole/probation gives them tests for Anabolic Steroids. They Do NOT Test for steroids unless it was part of your conviction (or steroids are in fact the reason you are on the program to begin with). Keep in mind they may test you if they start to suspect that you are an Anabolic Androgenic Steroid user.

There is no single drug test that will detect each and every substance consumed by you. Each drug must be tested for independently. Here is a list of the drugs that employers/Military/Community Corrections will typically test you for. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) specifies that the minimum test be for the following 5 categories (this is commonly referred to as a 5 panel test by the drug testing industry):

-Amphetamines and methamphetamines (Ectasy will show up here, as well as the diet pill Phentermine)
-Cannabinoids (Marijuana and Hashish)
-Cocaine
-Opiates (this includes Heroin, Opium, Morphine, Oxycoton, Percocet, Vicadin other forms of Codeine)
-Phencyclidine (commonly known as PCP and Angel Dust)
• While this is usually the minimal test, additional testing can include:
-Barbituates (includes Amytal, Fioricet, Nembutal, Seconal)
-Benzodiazepines (includes Ativan, Klonapin, Librium, Valium, Xanax)
-Methadone (used to overcome withdrawal symptoms from Opiates)
-Methaqualone (Quaaludes)
-Propoxyphene (includes Darvon and Darvocet)
-Alcohal (Over the legal limit)

[If suspected of AAS usage or on Probation or Parole for steroid related offense]
-Anabolic steroids (Stanazolol, Nandrolene, etc.)

DETECTION TIMES IN URINE
• Amphetamines and Methamphetamines---------------------------1 to 4 days
• Barbiturates----------------------------------------------------------2 to 3 days
• Benzodiazepines-----------------------------------------------------21 to 30 days
• Cannabinoids, Marijuana
Single use---------------------------------------- 3 to 7 days*
Moderate use (once or twice a week)--------21 to 30 days*
Chronic use (at least once a day)-------------up to 60 days*
(*These times relate to outdoor grown "street" marijuana, which has a typical THC level of 2% to 3%. Indoor grown "cryppie" can have THC levels as high as 7% to 10%, so keep that in mind.)
• Cocaine-------------------------------------1 to 3 days
• Codeine-------------------------------------2 to 4 days
• Methadone---------------------------------4 to 7 days
• Methaqualone------------------------------2 to 4 days
• Opiates-------------------------------------2 to 4 days**
(**Hydrocodone and Oxycodone are synthetic versions of morphine, found in pain medications such as Lorcet, OxyCotin, Perocet, Vicodin, etc. Normal dosage of these is not usually detectable as an opiate, but excessive use can be detected. As uses of these medications become more wide spread, however, specific tests for synthetic morphine are being added to the opiates list.)
• Phencyclidine------------------------------3 to 5 days

• Anabolic steroids (orally)----------------------------------14 to 28 days
• Anabolic steroids (parenterally)----------------------------30 to 60 days
(Deca may stay in your system as long as 18months)

FACTORS AFFECTING DETECTION TIMES
• History of use (the greater the frequency of use, the longer the detection period)
• Metabolism (a faster metabolism gets rid of the substance more easily, so exercise)
• Body weight (the more body fat, the longer the detection time)
• Potency of drug (this is obvious)
• Tolerance (prolonged use brings higher tolerance and shorter detection times, as the body metabolizes the substance more quickly)