Drug Testing in Substance Abuse Treatment Program
Substance use, including underage drinking and the non-medical use of prescription and over-the-counter medications, significantly affects the health and well-being of American youth and people of all ages:
- In 2013, an estimated 8.7 million people aged 12 to 20 (22.7 percent of this age group) reported drinking alcohol during the past month. The legal drinking age is 21.
- Approximately 25 million Americans age 12 and older were current illicit drug users. The most commonly used drugs were marijuana (19.8 million current users) and non-medical a use of prescription medications (6.5 million current users).
- More than 17 million Americans age 12 and older were diagnosed with alcohol dependence or abuse.
Spectra Clinical Labs understands the challenges faced by patients and physicians in substance abuse programs. We are committed to providing you with the decisive tool of drug monitoring to help your patients with their first step towards rehabilitation.
What are the benefits of drug testing in substance abuse treatment programs?
- Initial assessment of patients being evaluated for a diagnosis of substance abuse.
- A screen to prevent potential adverse effects of pharmacotherapy (e.g., opioid screen prior to starting naltrexone).
- A tool to monitor the substance abuse patient‘s use of illicit substances or adherence to pharmacotherapy treatment.
- A method to evaluate the efficacy and patient response to the treatment plan.
- A way to identify a relapse to substance use.
- Provide supportive documentation of self-reporting for legal matters, disability determinations, custody disputes, or reinstatement in certain professions (e.g., lawyers, healthcare providers, airline pilots).
- Verifies or contradicts patient’s self-reporting or family member‘s reports of substance use.