What is DRUG OF ABUSE ( DOA ) PANEL - 6 DRUGS, URINE?

Our 6-test panel drug test uses urine to check for the presence of drug abuse. In comparison to our 10-panel drug test, this test covers the most popular illicit drugs, also known as “street drugs” which are rarely prescribed.

What is Tested in the 6 Panel Drug Test?

• Benzodiazepines
• Barbiturates
• Cocaine
• Marijuana
• Opiates
• Phencyclidine

How drug testing works

When you take a drug, the body will eventually break it down. When this happens, it releases byproducts known as “metabolites,” which are expelled through urine. Our test looks for the presence of these metabolites in the urine. While everyone’s metabolism works differently, the detection period of drugs is usually about the same for most people. The presence of the metabolites is highly predictable and a reliable indication that the patient has recently been exposed to the drugs tested.

Because this test uses a urine sample, you can expect your results to be way more accurate than a blood test would be for drug testing, due to the drug leaving the blood a lot faster than it does urine. In addition to this, supplying a urine sample is non-invasive, painless, and, most of all, has a longer detection period for drugs. Another alternative test is a hair test, and although it has a 90-day detection period, it also costs about 3-4 times more.

How to Prepare and what to Expect

Do not drink an excessive amount of liquids before the test. It is commonly thought that high amounts of liquid will reduce the chances of a positive result, but instead, it waters down the urine, and risks the test being judged “invalid.” An invalid result means the technician was unable to deem the test positive or negative and a new sample must be obtained to provide accurate results.

When you go to the lab, you will need to present an official I.D. along with your test order form that is emailed after ordering the test. Upon arrival, you sign in and soon will be brought to the back where a lab technician will explain what is needed for your sample. You can expect to be given a small container and go to a private bathroom where you can collect your urine sample.

Explaining the Results

After providing the sample, it takes 1-2 business days for you to receive your results. If the results are positive, it can take an additional 2-4 business days of extra testing to confirm the positive result.

Your results will either indicate positive, negative, or inconclusive/invalid. Each drug test has a threshold that the detected levels need to exceed in order to be declared positive.

A positive result means that a high amount of metabolites were found in your urine for the drug indicated. Our results will tell you which drug you were positive for, along with the concentration of metabolites found in your sample. A negative result means the drug you tested for was not detected in your urine, or it fell below the threshold needed to be decided positive.