Everyone knows what drug testing is, but not everyone understands that term does not mean one specific test. There are two main types of drug tests, the 5 panel and the 10 panel, and the one you choose depends on how many different kinds of drugs you want to test for.
5-Panel Test: This is the standard test with which most employers are familiar. It tests for five drugs: Amphetamine, Cannabinoids (Marijuana), Cocaine, Opiates, and Phencyclidine (PCP). The 5-panel is all that is permitted by the Department of Transportation (DOT) in its mandatory testing program.
10-Panel Test: For most non-regulated employers, a 10-panel drug test typically will work better than a 5-panel test. However, because employers know some prescription drugs have the potential to become addictive, the 10-panel drug test also screens for several legal drugs that are also known to be drugs of abuse. The test screens for tricyclic antidepressants, benzodiazepines, opiates, methadone, barbiturates and methamphetamine.
In addition to the drugs, the 10-panel drug test can also measure characteristics of the urine sample, such as the pH level. Testing the characteristics of the sample can show if the urine has been altered to cheat the test.
Alcohol testing: Regulated breathalyzer testing is used to determine an individual’s breath alcohol level. It can be conducted with certified results through a medical professional.
