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Part 6: Special Populations
Adolescents
When to Test Adolescents
Î Use drug testing to assist in early identification of substance use in
high-risk populations of adolescents including but not limited to those
with known past substance use and those in treatment for mental
health disorders.
Î Drug testing to monitor adolescents in addiction treatment or recovery
from an SUD can be performed by providers in primary care.
Î When an adult observes symptoms characteristic of substance use
in an adolescent, providers should use drug testing as part of an
assessment for a possible addiction.
Adolescents and Self-reported Substance Use
Î Even if an adolescent reports substance use, providers should
consider drug testing for additional information because adolescents
are less likely to self-report accurately.
Adolescents and Home Testing Kits
Î Because of a variety of limitations with home drug testing process and
interpretation, providers should not encourage the use of home drug
testing for adolescents.
Adolescent Consent
Î Before beginning the drug testing process with an adolescent,
providers should explain drug testing protocols in full.
Î Drug testing an adolescent without his or her consent is not
appropriate, except in emergency situations (e.g., accidents, suicide
attempts, and seizures).
Î Providers should acquire consent before drug testing an adolescent
with symptoms such as school failure, fatigue, or excessive
moodiness. Because these are not emergency situations, they are not
hazardous enough to warrant skipping this step.
Î If an adolescent refuses to consent to a drug test, the provider should
clearly document refusal and continue to evaluate the possibility of
SUD through other methods and refer the patient to a specialist with
additional mental health or substance use expertise.
