While drug testers commonly say to eat a normal meal before your test, it might be in your best interest to be mindful of what you eat before a drug test! If you have a surprising false positive on your drug test, these foods might be the reason:

Hemp Seeds

Hemp oil, milk or a seedy granola contain trace amounts of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. It’s not enough to make you high, but the compound can build up in your body if consumed regularly or in high amounts.

Breads and Pastries

Almost all breads and pastries are made with yeast. Yeast ferments the dough and naturally produces a small amount of alcohol. While it’s not enough to make you drunk, if you were to have dough stuck in your teeth while performing a Breathalyzer test, it could come up as a false positive.

Additionally, vanilla, commonly added to breads and pastries, has 35% alcoholic content and could trigger a false positive.

Thankfully, the effects should only last for about 15 minutes. Swishing with water before testing can help achieve accurate results.

Medications and Supplements

OTC cough suppressants such as DayQuil contain dextromethorphan which can result in false positives for phencyclidine (PCP). Another compound called pseudoephedrine is found in decongestants such as Sudafed resembles illegal amphetamines.

Ibuprofen and other NSAIDS have been linked to false positives for THC.

Hemp seed oil—also known as riboflavin—is also sometimes used to produce B12 supplements.

Don’t lose your job over a false positive drug test! If you’ve failed your drug test but suspect it is a false positive, you can request a new drug test.

At Nationwide Drug Testing Service, our staff is not only understanding and considerate, but knowledgeable as well. From the moment you contact us, you can expect to deal with a professional, well-trained Representative who will be with you throughout the entire process.

Nationwide Drug Testing Services is one of the largest accredited drug testing networks in the U.S. We offer testing in every state Nationwide, for affordable, Same-Day-Appointment Drug Testing and Fast, Accurate results.

Call us today at 877.497.1002 or Order a Test Online!

Drug testing has moved beyond the work sector and into schools. Specifically, students in one Texas school district are now required to perform a drug testing before they can participate in any extracurricular activities.

The new requirement is for students seventh to twelfth grades beginning this school year. The policy also includes random drug testing during the school year. If consent isn’t given by student and parent, the student won’t be allowed to participate in after school activities.

But the radical policy doesn’t end there. While some might understand drug testing for high-level sports like football or wrestling, the drug testing is for any extracurricular activities, including chess, choir, debate, yearbook, gaming club, and others.

“Great kids make bad decisions every day and what we want to do is make sure that our kids have the opportunity to make mistakes but come back and make amends,” District superintendent Chris Wigington said.

“We want the testing program to deter drug and alcohol use and help students live drug-free lives,” the board of trustees communicated to parents.

The policy has a four-tiered penalty system of various suspensions from competitions, extracurricular activities, and parking ranging from 30 to 365 days.

The response to the new policy was mixed, some showing disdain, some asking questions of drug testing for teachers, and others showing full support.

With the ever-climbing rise in youth drug use, the Texas school might be a trail-blazer in drug prevention. In any case, the school can be commended for their commitment.

Nationwide Drug Testing Services is one of the largest accredited drug testing networks in the U.S. We offer testing in every state Nationwide, for affordable, Same-Day-Appointment Drug Testing and Fast, Accurate results.

Call us today at 877.497.1002 or Order a Test Online!

Harrow Council in the UK has developed and successfully completed a trial for drug testing.

The innovative technology called Intelligent Fingerprinting uses fingerprints alone for the test. According to the report, the “portable device analyze[s] tiny traces of sweat from fingerprints and within ten minutes, it accurately detects use of drugs ranging from marijuana to heroin and more, which could only be possible by taking an urine or saliva sample.”

The technology was undertaken and developed by Harrow Council’s Children and Family Care service. Their purpose was to help parents prove that they were clean from drugs and help families stay together.

Christine Robson, Portfolio Holder for Children and Families, boldly claims Intelligent Fingerprinting is better than every type of conventional drug testing. She said, “It allows people to prove they’re clean with no fuss, in ten minutes flat. Its low cost means we don’t have to think twice about testing, and it gives people the assurance and satisfaction of showing their clear test results right away.”

This way, families can stay together without detaining children separate from parents until a conventional drug test comes back as clean.

Alternatively, if the results come back as parents being high, Robson says “well that’s better for everyone too, as we can engage with the issue right away, together.” Perhaps in the future, Intelligent Fingerprinting can be used by law enforcement and even employers.

While technology is always fascinating and advancing, the Intelligent Fingerprinting isn’t widely available yet. So in the meantime, conventional drug testing measures are accurate and reliable.

Nationwide Drug Testing Services is one of the largest accredited drug testing networks in the U.S. We offer testing in every state Nationwide, for affordable, Same-Day-Appointment Drug Testing and Fast, Accurate results.

Call us today at 877.497.1002 or Order a Test Online!

Mayor Bill DeBlasio of New York, NY permitted two important regarding cannabis bills to become law absent his signature. These two bills—No. 1427 and No. 1445—limit the situations where cannabis users seeking employment or on probation may be drug tested for past cannabis exposure.

Erik Altieri, the Executive Director for NORML—an organization that seeks to legalize the responsible use of marijuana—commented in favor of both bills, “These reforms protect the civil liberties of New Yorkers and promote fair treatment… We shouldn’t penalize those who privately use cannabis responsibly from gainful employment, nor should the courts seize upon this behavior as a justification to return someone to jail or prison.”

Bill No. 1427 doesn’t require marijuana testing unless it is determined that abstinence from marijuana is necessary for the individual to lead a law-abiding life.

Bill No. 1445 prohibits the requirement of marijuana testing as a condition for employment. Exceptions are made for employees seeking safety sensitive positions, such as police officers or commercial drivers, as well as positions regulated by federal drug testing guidelines.

However, if you notice changes in your employees after hire that are consistent with drug use or abuse, you have the right to perform a random drug test. 

At Nationwide Drug Testing Service, our staff is not only understanding and considerate, but knowledgeable as well. From the moment you contact us, you can expect to deal with a professional, well-trained Representative who will be with you throughout the entire process.

Nationwide Drug Testing Services is one of the largest accredited drug testing networks in the U.S. We offer testing in every state Nationwide, for affordable, Same-Day-Appointment Drug Testing and Fast, Accurate results.

Call us today at 877.497.1002 or Order a Test Online!

In Arizona, more and more people have been caught cheating on employer-required drug tests. From 2017 to 2018, this number rose by 40%.

Up to 9% of people deal with substance abuse. Among doctors and nurses, that number is thought to be as high as 15 %. In Arizona, the most common forms of attempted cheating include using substitute urine or synthetic urine.

One woman, who wished to remain anonymous, explains, “It’s super easy to do. They give you a little bottle. It comes with a temperature strip on it. You premix the little urine in the water, and it looks yellow. It has, supposedly, all the properties.” She had used this synthetic urine successfully twice before.

But the third time, she got caught. The lab detected an imbalance with the properties of her urine. They called to inform her that she had failed her drug test, which also meant she lost her job in the medical field.

“I have learned a terrible lesson,” she said regretfully.

The upswing of cheating on drug tests should be a wake-up call to employers. The rates of those caught has risen 40%; who knows how many other cheating attempts went undetected. If an employee shows signs of drug use or abuse, you have the legal right to test all your employees at any time during employment, even if they have previously passed a drug test. It’s up to you to provide a safe and healthy workspace for all employees.

If you, other supervisors, or employees notice changes in a fellow employee, take action immediately through Nationwide Drug Testing Services. We offer affordable and reliable tests with quick results and convenient testing locations.

Call today to schedule an appointment or order online!

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a cannabis compound that allows the same medical benefits as marijuana. The difference is regular marijuana contains THC, the element that causes the drug’s “high,” whereas CBD oil does not.

CBD oil is extracted from marijuana or hemp and then consumed as liquid, pills, or mixed into foods. It is often used for ailments such as:

• Inflammation
• Anxiety
• Seizures
• Arthritis
• PTSD
• Epilepsy

CBD oil is popping up everywhere: in gummies, candies, “energy drinks”, and even dog treats. It’s claimed benefits grab the attention of people from all backgrounds and ailments. It’s been termed “the new avocado toast” for the younger generations, but is used by every age group.

You might know someone who uses CBD oil for their ailments or anxiety. If you don’t, it won’t be long before you do.

While discrimination against marijuana users is not allowed (and certain states have laws protecting against discrimination), you as the employer have the legal right to test all your employees before hire and at any time during employment if you have reasonable suspicion that your employee is using marijuana. This includes states where its use is legal.

When used as directed or prescribed, CBD oil shouldn’t show up on a drug test or cause unusual or dangerous behavior in the user. If CBD oil relieves the user’s ailments or anxieties, you may see improved work ethic, productivity, mood, or socialization.

However, like any chemical-altering substance, CBD oil can be abused. If you, other supervisors or employees notice negative changes in a fellow employee, take action immediately through Nationwide Drug Testing Services. We offer affordable and reliable tests with quick results and convenient testing locations.

Call today to schedule an appointment or order online!

You go to the doctor for an ailment and he prescribes you a medication. You follow the directions carefully, are regimented to take your medication on time, and never miss a dose. Then your employer performs a random drug test for everyone in the office. Despite not using or abusing drugs, the results say that you’ve failed your drug test.

What happened?

You might be surprised to learn that false positive drug tests due to medication are becoming more common. A 2010 report shows the following medications have been known to cause false positive drug tests:

• Brompheniramine
• Bupropion
• Chlorpromazine
• Clomipramine
• Dextromethorphan
• Diphenhydramine
• Doxylamine
• Ibuprofen
• Naproxen
• Promethazine
• Quetiapine
• Quinolones (ofloxacin and gatifloxacin)
• Ranitidine
• Sertraline
• Thioridazine
• Trazodone
• Venlafaxine
• Verapamil

In 2018, another study discovered false positives from mexiletine, a drug given for the treatment of arrhythmia. As research probes deeper, more and more common medications are being attributed to so many false positive drug test results.

Don’t lose your job over a false positive drug test! If you’ve failed your drug test but suspect it is a false positive, you can request a new drug test.

At Nationwide Drug Testing Service, our staff is not only understanding and considerate, but knowledgeable as well. From the moment you contact us, you can expect to deal with a professional, well-trained Representative who will be with you throughout the entire process.

Nationwide Drug Testing Services is one of the largest accredited drug testing networks in the U.S. We offer testing in every state Nationwide, for affordable, Same-Day-Appointment Drug Testing and Fast, Accurate results.

Call us today at 877.497.1002 or Order a Test Online!

One term that is frequently encountered when dealing with abuse of prescriptions or illegal drugs is “half-life.” It is also sometimes called an “elimination half-life.” As the name suggests, a drug’s half-life is how long it takes for the drug’s concentration to drop 50%.

Each drug has a different half-life. This is determined by the drug itself, but also factors impacting how the drug is metabolized in an individual’s body like weight, age, physical health, and sex.

The drug’s half-life determines how long the substance will be in someone’s body and doesn’t directly relate to the onset of euphoric effects. Effects may be felt immediately or within a few minutes, but the half-life of the drug can last hours or days. The drug’s half-life is the same regardless of route of administration (orally versus injection).

The half-life of illegal drugs includes:

• Heroin: Between 2 and 6 minutes.
• Cocaine: One hour.
• Marijuana/THC: Between 4 and 6 days.
• Methamphetamine: About 11 hours.

Opioid painkillers:

• Oxycodone: 3 to 5 hours.
• Morphine: 1 to 7 hours.
• Fentanyl: 3 to 12 hours.

Knowing when to test is key to getting correct results. At Nationwide Drug Testing Services, our staff is not only understanding and considerate, but knowledgeable as well. From the moment you contact us, you can expect to deal with a professional, well-trained Representative who will be with you throughout the entire process. We can help you find the specific testing package you need.

Nationwide Drug Testing Services is one of the largest accredited drug testing networks in the U.S. We offer testing in every state Nationwide, for affordable, Same-Day-Appointment Drug Testing and Fast, Accurate results. Call us today at 877.497.1002 or Order a Test Online!

It’s inevitable that those using drugs will try to beat drug tests so they can continue with substance abuse. Especially for those in severe addiction, individuals may go to great lengths to cover their drug use.

The measures an individual uses depends on which drug test they are being subject to.

Urine Tests

Methods for trying to beat a urine test include:

• Detoxify their urine by drinking large amounts of water or cranberry juice. Numerous drinks, capsules, and chewables are available online that promise to cleanse urine in as little as one hour.
• Use additives—liquid or solid crystal chemicals that “guarantee” to mask or eliminate the presence of drugs.
• Substitute someone else’s urine for their own, often from a friend or loved one, and pour the subsitute urine into the test cup.

Other Tests

For tests involving saliva, there are a variety of gums, capsules, and mouthwashes that claim to deliver purified saliva. There are also a variety of shampoos, cleansing hair mud products, and purifying systems for hair tests.

Do They Work?

In short, no.

Home remedies and online products are often expensive and don’t succeed in cleansing or detoxifying urine. Dilution and additives show up on the results to alert employers to perform further testing.

With Nationwide Drug Testing Services, you don’t have to worry about false results. Our knowledgeable staff will be with you throughout the entire process. We can help you find the specific testing package you need and deliver accurate, informative results.

Nationwide Drug Testing Services is one of the largest accredited drug testing networks in the U.S. We offer testing in every state Nationwide, for affordable, Same-Day-Appointment Drug Testing and Fast, Accurate results.

Call us today at 877.497.1002 or Order a Test Online!

“Drugs” is a general term that defines a variety of foreign substances in the body that cause some kind of effect. Drugs may include illegal or illicit drugs. They might be correct or abusive use or prescription drugs. Some substances like cleaning supplies and gasoline can be used abusively for psychoactive effects.

There are many factors that impact a drug test. According to American Addiction Centers, some of these include:

• The dose
• Presence of other drugs in the body
• Age
• Ethnicity
• Sex
• Weight
• Incidence of medical conditions affecting drug elimination, like kidney problems

This means that two people consuming the same drug could have very different effects. Even prescription drugs have great variance in their dosage for the patient’s safety.

While it’s true that two different people consuming the same drug will metabolize and expel the drug differently, it’s also true that two people of similar age, weight, sex, and health will metabolize the same drugs similarly.

Once a drug is consumed, the body begins the process to metabolize the drug. This means it will break down the drug into specific molecules, chemically changing the substance to be expelled from the body. Each drug has a different timeline for how long the body takes to break down and expel the drug.

Even with different factors, illegal drugs stay in a person’s system generally the same amount of time:

• Heroin: 1-3 days.
• Cocaine: 2-3 days.
• Marijuana/THC: 1-7 days.
• Meth: 2-3 days.

If you suspect that one of your employees is using illegal drugs or abusing prescription drugs, you have the right to perform a random drug test.  At Nationwide Drug Testing Service, our staff is not only understanding and considerate, but knowledgeable as well. From the moment you contact us, you can expect to deal with a professional, well-trained Representative who will be with you throughout the entire process.

Nationwide Drug Testing Services is one of the largest accredited drug testing networks in the U.S. We offer testing in every state Nationwide, for affordable, Same-Day-Appointment Drug Testing and Fast, Accurate results.

Call us today at 877.497.1002 or Order a Test Online!

As more states legalize medical marijuana, the industry continues to grow. And growing with the industry is a body of research that shows marijuana is beneficial as alternative medicine to treat certain ailments.

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a cannabis compound that allows the same medical benefits as marijuana. The difference is regular marijuana contains THC, the element that causes the drug’s “high,” whereas CBD oil does not.

CBD oil is extracted from marijuana or hemp and then consumed as liquid, pills, or mixed into foods. It is often used for ailments such as:

• Inflammation
• Anxiety
• Seizures
• Arthritis
• PTSD
• Epilepsy

With the potential for more and more people to use CBD oil, is this something we should be concerned about in the workplace? Does CBD oil cause the same effects as marijuana? Can you fail a drug test by using CBD oil?

It’s important to remember that THC—the dangerous part of the drug—is removed. Therefore, CBD oil doesn’t cause a “high” and is safe to use for those in the workplace.

Drug tests screen for the presence of THC, not CBD. Occasionally, those who take high doses of CBD oil will get a “false positive,” but further tests can conclude that the user is taking CBD oil and not marijuana. When in doubt, it’s best to refrain from using CBD oil if a drug test is expected.

You can be confident choosing Nationwide Drug Testing Service as your drug test provider. Our staff is not only understanding and considerate, but knowledgeable as well. From the moment you contact us, you can expect to deal with a professional, well-trained Representative who will be with you throughout the entire process.

Nationwide Drug Testing Services is one of the largest accredited drug testing networks in the U.S. We offer testing in every state Nationwide, for affordable, Same-Day-Appointment Drug Testing and Fast, Accurate results.

Marijuana comes from the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds of the Cannabis sativa or indica plants. It contains the mind and mood-altering chemical THC. Marijuana is usually smoked in cigarettes, pipes, and vaporizers, or can be ingested orally through food, candy, and tea.

While marijuana can have long-term effects (mostly affecting the brain development of teenage users), the most noticeable changes are the short-term effects. THC is passed from the lungs to the brain where users experience heightened senses, changes in their mood, impaired body movement, difficulty with thinking and problem-solving and impaired memory. Hallucinations, delusions, and psychosis can occur when marijuana is used in higher doses.

Marijuana can cause breathing problems, increased heart rate, nausea and vomiting, and effects developing fetuses. It can also cause temporary hallucinations and paranoia, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.

Detection times for marijuana vary depending on how often the drug is used, but is detectable in blood and saliva for only a few hours regardless of frequency. It can be detected in a urine sample for up to 13 days for a one-time use, up to 45 days for regular use, and up to 90 days for heavy use. Hair tests can detect the drug for up to 90 days as well. 

Marijuana and it’s legalization for recreational or medical use is a hot political and social topic. It is currently legal for medical use in 23 states and for medical/recreational use in 10 states. Many other states are pushing for legalization. How do you know your rights as an employer, or when you’ve crossed the line?

While discrimination against marijuana users is not allowed (and certain states have laws protecting against discrimination), you as the employer have the legal right to test all your employees before hire and at any time during employment if you have reasonable suspicion that your employee is using marijuana. This includes states where its use is legal.

Even though marijuana use may be legal in your state, the employer has the right to ban its use in their workplace by giving a clearly-defined drug policy to all employees. Abuse or overuse of marijuana—even marijuana given for medical use—can compromise the safety of other staff members and create an unstable work environment.  

If you, other supervisors, or employees notice changes in a fellow employee, take action immediately through Nationwide Drug Testing Services. We offer affordable and reliable tests with quick results and convenient testing locations.

Call today to schedule an appointment or order online!

Marijuana comes from the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds of the Cannabis sativa or indica plants. It contains the mind and mood-altering chemical THC. Marijuana is usually smoked in cigarettes, pipes, and vaporizers, or can be ingested orally through food, candy, and tea.

While marijuana can have long-term effects (mostly affecting the brain development of teenage users), the most noticeable changes are the short-term effects. THC is passed from the lungs to the brain where users experience heightened senses, changes in their mood, impaired body movement, difficulty with thinking and problem-solving and impaired memory. Hallucinations, delusions, and psychosis can occur when marijuana is used in higher doses.

Marijuana can cause breathing problems, increased heart rate, nausea and vomiting, and effects developing fetuses. It can also cause temporary hallucinations and paranoia, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.

Detection times for marijuana vary depending on how often the drug is used, but is detectable in blood and saliva for only a few hours regardless of frequency. It can be detected in a urine sample for up to 13 days for a one-time use, up to 45 days for regular use, and up to 90 days for heavy use. Hair tests can detect the drug for up to 90 days as well. 

Marijuana and it’s legalization for recreational or medical use is a hot political and social topic. It is currently legal for medical use in 23 states and for medical/recreational use in 10 states. Many other states are pushing for legalization. How do you know your rights as an employer, or when you’ve crossed the line?

While discrimination against marijuana users is not allowed (and certain states have laws protecting against discrimination), you as the employer have the legal right to test all your employees before hire and at any time during employment if you have reasonable suspicion that your employee is using marijuana. This includes states where its use is legal.

Even though marijuana use may be legal in your state, the employer has the right to ban its use in their workplace by giving a clearly-defined drug policy to all employees. Abuse or overuse of marijuana—even marijuana given for medical use—can compromise the safety of other staff members and create an unstable work environment.  

If you, other supervisors, or employees notice changes in a fellow employee, take action immediately through Nationwide Drug Testing Services. We offer affordable and reliable tests with quick results and convenient testing locations.

Call today to schedule an appointment or order online!

Methamphetamine is a dangerous drug that can cause serious damage to the brain, skin, and teeth, and has significant addictive qualities that hold users captive. Here’s what you need to know about meth.

Methamphetamine hydrochloride (also known by “street” names like crank, crystal, glass, ice, meth, rock candy or speed) is a powder that varies in color from white to light brown. It can also look like crystal or ice. Meth can be used by smoking or snorting the powder, injecting it with a needle, or ingesting orally.

There are five stages to meth intoxication. First is “the rush,” where a flood of dopamine rushes to the brain and intensifies the senses. The second stage is the high from meth, which lasts for up to 14 hours, where the user becomes hyperactive, exhibits aggressive or compulsive behavior, confusion, and the inability to form coherent sentences.

The third stage is binging on meth, where users continue to use meth for several days to avoid crashing. This often involves avoiding food until the fourth stage, the crash, occurs. This stage is characterized by extreme exhaustion and prolonged periods of sleeping.  

The final and most dangerous stage is called tweaking, where the user becomes paranoid, frustrated, unstable, unpredictable, and even develop a meth psychosis. Cravings for more meth are intense, but the effects aren’t as strong due to overuse. This keeps users going back for more.

Several factors impact the detection time for meth: how the drug was administered, if used with other drugs and/or alcohol, the frequency of use, and the age and health of the user.

Meth can be detected in a urine sample as early as 2 hours after use and up to 5 days after the last use. In blood, detection ranges 1 hour to 3 days. Saliva has the earliest detection at 10 minutes and can still detect at 4 days post-use. Hair has the longest detection time at up to 90 days post-use. 

As an employer, you have the legal right to test all your employees before hire and at any time during employment if you have reasonable suspicion that they are using meth. If you, other supervisors, or employees notice changes in an employee, take action immediately through Nationwide Drug Testing Services. We offer affordable and reliable tests with quick results and convenient testing locations.

Call today to schedule an appointment or order online!

Diacetylmorphine, the pure form of heroin, is a white powder derived from chemical substances found in the opium poppy plant. It is 2-3 times more potent than morphine and highly addictive. It is usually a white or brownish powder that can be injected intravenously, smoked, snorted, as a suppository, or orally ingested.

Diacetylmorphine is usually “cut” with other substances; some are harmless, like sugar or powdered milk, but it can be cut with poisons like fentanyl and carfentanyl that are deadly to an unsuspecting user. This diluted version of diacetylmorphine—heroin—is also known by common street names like White China, Smack, Big H, Black Tar, Chiva, Skag, Junk, Brown Sugar, Skunk, White Horse, and Thunder.

Common opiates (codeine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, fentanyl, methadone, morphine, tramadol, oxycodone, oxymorphone, and tapentadol) are available by prescription for pain relief, but heroin possession comes with serious criminal penalties and has no medical benefits.

After injection, the user experiences a sense of euphoria followed by alternating states of wakefulness and drowsiness. Mental functioning is also clouded, along with nausea, respiratory depression, and constricted pupils. The signs of an overdose include:

• slow and shallow breathing
• hypotension
• blue lips and nails
• muscle spasms
• convulsions
• coma
• possible death

Heroin overdose is a medical emergency that requires naloxone for revival! Contact your local emergency services immediately if you observe these symptoms of overdose.

With frequent use, the abuser builds a tolerance to the drug and needs increased amounts of heroin to achieve the same euphoric effects. This results in physical dependence and addiction. Decreased use or withdrawal from the drug can cause drug craving, restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea and vomiting, and other symptoms.

Heroin is a fast-acting drug that is expelled from the body fairly quickly. Detection through saliva is only possible in the first 5 hours after use; blood, in the first 6 hours after use. Urine testing is most common, where heroin is detectable for up to 7 days. Hair tests can detect heroin usage for up to 90 days post-use. 

As an employer, you have the legal right to test all your employees before hire and at any time during employment if you have reasonable suspicion that your employee is using heroin. If you, other supervisors, or employees notice changes in a fellow employee, take action immediately through Nationwide Drug Testing Services. We offer affordable and reliable tests with quick results and convenient testing locations.

Call today to schedule an appointment or order online!

Derived from the opium that comes from poppy plants, opioids are a classification of drug that is used to treat pain.  Users experience a sensation of euphoria and well-being from taking opioids. Some common opioids include:

• Codeine
• Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Hycodan)
• Morphine (MS Contin, Kadian)
• Oxycodone (Oxycontin, Percoset)
• Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
• Fentanyl (Duragesic)

While these opioids are legitimately used to treat pain, users develop a tolerance to the effects of the drugs over time. This requires an increased dose in order to achieve the same effects. Over time, users may find the euphoric effects addictive, begin to think obsessively about opioids, and participate in illegal activities to obtain more.

Tolerance to opioid’s euphoric effects occurs before tolerance to the drug itself. Because of this, people can overdose by mistake in trying to achieve a greater high. With prolonged and/or frequent use, the need for opioids continues to increase, creating a greater addiction. Symptoms of opioid use and addiction include:

• poor coordination
• drowsiness and slurred speech
• physical agitation, depression, and irritability
• poor decision making
• abandoning responsibilities or lowered motivation
• mood swings
• euphoria
• anxiety attacks

Opioids may be the hardest to detect, as each has a different metabolism time and they leave the body quickest of all drugs. In general, blood tests have the shortest detection period at no longer than 12-24 hours. Opioids are detectable in saliva and urine tests for up to 4 days and in hair for up to 90 days. Visit this website for a further breakdown of specific opioids.

As an employer, you have the legal right to test all your employees before hire and at any time during employment if you have reasonable suspicion that your employee is using opioids. If you, other supervisors, or employees notice changes in a fellow employee, take action immediately through Nationwide Drug Testing Services. We offer affordable and reliable tests with quick results and convenient testing locations.

Call today to schedule an appointment or order online!

Quest Diagnostics has recently released a report that shows Transportation and Warehousing workers have had positive drug tests increase by double-digits over the last two years.

This is just one of the surprising developments in drug testing in the workplace, where facts don’t always match perceptions. For example, when asked to guess which industry had the biggest percentage of workers high on drugs, Food and Beverage topped the list. But in actuality, it’s Retail. And while retail did see a 12.8% increase in Quest’s statistics, Transportation and Warehousing nearly doubled that, with a 21.4% increase.

However, it’s always helpful to break this statistic further.

Marijuana positivity was the most detected substance in all the tests, and jumped by 33% within the positive results. This is not surprising as the drug, while still technically illegal at the federal level, enjoys more and more legality depending on which state you’re in and whether you have a medical condition or not. Marijuana seems to be able to treat a wide variety of medical conditions, but also can impair your judgement, cause elevated heart rate, and some studies suggest long-term use can lead to lung cancer.

Coming in second place was cocaine use, which spiked 22%. Cocaine can cause feelings of euphoria and make the user more energetic and talkative, but can also cause side effects of anxiety, panic, paranoia and erratic behavior. Life-threatening side effects like heart attacks can also result, even in young and otherwise healthy individuals.

A final large chunk of drugs taken were amphetamines and methamphetamines, with a 16% jump. While these substances can be prescribed for ADHD or Obesity they’re often used illictly. They can elicit feelings of excitement, increased attentiveness and feelings of energy, but are also extremely addictive and can cause compulsive drug-seeking behavior and cravings, violent behavior, and hallucinations.

This is why so many companies have committed to a drug-free workplace. 56% of U.S. Employers require pre-employment drug tests, and those companies that do maintain a successful drug-free environment report improvements in morale, productivity, and decreases in absenteeism and turnover.

Nationwide Drug Testing Services is one of the largest accredited drug testing networks in the U.S. We offer testing in every state Nationwide, for affordable, Same-Day-Appointment Drug Testing and Fast, Accurate results.

Our staff is not only understanding and considerate, but knowledgeable as well. From the moment you contact us, you can expect to deal with a professional, well-trained Representative who will be with you throughout the entire process.

Call us today at 877.497.1002 or Order a Test Online!