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Part 3: Additional Considerations for Drug
Testing in Addiction Treatment
Î Users of POCTs should refer to the POC package insert and/or the
manufacturer to determine the device's capabilities.
Î Cost issues should be considered when deciding to initiate a POCT
protocol. These include costs associated with additional staff time and
training, space to perform testing, quality assurance procedures, and
documentation of POCT results.
Choosing a Laboratory
Î Providers should seek to work with a laboratory that has expertise in
drug testing in addiction treatment settings.
Î When selecting a laboratory, providers should investigate whether
state law requires a specific certification.
Î It is important to work with a laboratory qualified to perform accurate
tests and assist in the interpretation of results.
Î Providers should work to create a collaborative relationship with the
laboratory. Important areas for collaboration are test panel selection,
detecting sample tampering, interpreting test results, and regional
drug use trends.
Î When selecting a laboratory, providers should contact the toxicology
director or a medical toxicologist at the laboratory to discuss panels,
types of drug tests, testing procedures, and technical assistance.
Î Because drug testing should be individualized, laboratories should
allow providers to order specific tests for each patient.
Table 3. General Windows of Detection Across Matrices
(from SAMHSA's TAP 32)
Minutes Hours Days Weeks Months
Blood
Breath
Oral Fluid
Urine
Sweat
Hair
Part 4: Biological Matrices
