What Drugs are Detected in Urine Tests?

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What Drugs are Detected in Urine Tests?
By MediNat Australia 4 years ago 1448 Views

Organisations are responsible for the wellbeing of your staff while they’re at work. This includes taking steps to minimise the risk of accidents resulting from drug use. Urine testing is a fast, easy and cost-effective way of determining whether employees have used illicit drugs.

While urine testing can detect impairment from alcohol, it can only detect the presence of drugs. The test can determine whether a person has used specific drugs in the past few days or weeks, even after the effects have worn off. Urine tests can detect both illegal and prescription drugs.

Amphetamines and Methamphetamines

Amphetamines and methamphetamines are stimulants and two of the six core drug groups that can be detected by our Maxi Clear - 6 Drug Urine Drug Test Cup. They can be injected, smoked, swallowed, or snorted.

These drugs vary in colour from white through to brown, and can take the form of powder, tablets, capsules, and crystals. Methamphetamine is a derivative of amphetamine and most commonly used by illicit drug users, however only amphetamines can be legally prescribed for certain medical conditions.

Cocaine

Cocaine, derived from the leaves of the South American coca bush, is also a stimulant and looks like a white powder or crystal. It’s usually snorted, injected, rubbed into the gums, or added to food and drink. Crack cocaine looks like white or translucent crystals with a pink or yellowish tint and is most often smoked.

Opiates

Opiates (naturally derived from the opium poppy) and opioids (which are synthetic opiates) are depressants capable of relieving pain and creating feelings of relaxation. There are many forms of opiates and opioids and they can affect people differently depending on several factors, including the person’s size and weight.

Cannabis

Also known as marijuana, cannabis comes in various forms but is generally smoked or ingested. It affects people differently but many report feelings of relaxation and euphoria, along with increased appetite, slower reflexes, and memory impairment.  Synthetic cannabis, which is sold under multiple brand names such as Kronic, K2, Spice and Kaos, can also be detected in urine tests.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are depressant drugs that can be legally prescribed but are often used illegally. They are usually swallowed as pills and come in a range of long, intermediate and short acting types.

Which Drugs Can Urine Tests Not Detect?

Some drugs do not show up in urine tests, including:

  • Psychedelics - Psychedelic drugs such as LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, DMT, mescaline and peyote are extremely difficult to test for. They are never included on urinalysis instant drug tests. Some can be detected through hair samples, but this is expensive and time-consuming.
  • Research chemicals - Also known as designer drugs, research chemicals are found in synthetic drugs such as “bath salts,” “U-47700” and “Flakk”. They are often designed to mimic other substances and are called designer drugs because they are being constantly changed or improved, often for the purposes of beating drug tests. Since there are hundreds of designer drugs, it is expensive to put them on common panel drug tests unless one is widely and consistently used enough, e.g. synthetic cannabis.
  • Kratom - A relatively new drug, Kratom is a plant with effects that resemble opioids. People who want to seek a “high” similar to that of opioids while also trying to beat drug tests may use it.

Reliable Workplace Drug Testing in Australia

At MediNat Australia we can provide a range of urine drug test kits, all made in full ISO and quality-controlled environments. This includes the Maxi Clear - 15 Drug Urine Drug Test Cup, which detects the six most common illicit drugs listed plus ecstasy, buprenorphine, methadone, oxycodone, barbiturate, fentanyl, ketamine, phencyclidine and propoxyphene.

We also offer advice on drug and alcohol testing policies in the workplace and onsite testing services. Call us on 1300 725 520, email us at info@medinat.com.au or contact us online for more information.