Origin Diagnostics Drug Testing

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Buprenorphine is an opioid partial agonist. This means that, although buprenorphine is an opioid, and thus can produce typical opioid agonist effects and side effects such as euphoria and respiratory depression, its maximal effects are less than those of full agonists like heroin and methadone. At low doses buprenorphine produces sufficient agonist effect to enable opioid-addicted individuals to discontinue the misuse of opioids without experiencing withdrawal symptoms. The agonist effects of buprenorphine increase linearly with increasing doses of the drug until at moderate doses they reach a plateau and no longer continue to increase with further increases in dose—the “ceiling effect.” Thus, buprenorphine carries a lower risk of abuse, addiction, and side effects compared to full opioid agonists. In fact, in high doses and under certain circumstances, buprenorphine can actually block the effects of full opioid agonists and can precipitate withdrawal symptoms if administered to an opioid-addicted individual while a full agonist is in the bloodstream.

Buprenorphine has poor oral bioavailability and moderate sublingual bioavailability. Formulations for opioid addiction treatment are in the form of sublingual tablets.

Buprenorphine is highly bound to plasma proteins. It is metabolized by the liver via the cytochrome P4503A4 enzyme system into norbuprenorphine and other metabolites. The half-life of buprenorphine is 24–60 hours.

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Methamphetamine is a stimulant drug chemically related to amphetamine but with stronger effects on the central nervous system. It is a white, odorless, bitter-tasting crystalline powder that easily dissolves in water or alcohol. “Meth” is made of highly volatile, toxic substances (based on such chemical “precursors” as methylamine and amyl amine) that are melded in differing combinations, forming what some have described as a “mix of laundry detergent and lighter fluid.”

Methamphetamine is a powerful central nervous system stimulant.
The drug works directly on the brain and spinal cord by interfering with normal neurotransmission. Neurotransmitters are chemical substances naturally produced within nerve cells used to communicate with each other and send messages to influence and regulate our thinking and all other systems throughout the body.

The main neurotransmitter affected by methamphetamine is dopamine. Dopamine is involved with our natural reward system. For example, feeling good about a job well done, getting pleasure from our family or social interactions, feeling content and that our lives are meaningful and count for something, all rely on dopamine transmission.

Ice is the translucent crystal, smokable form of methamphetamine. It is also commonly called glass or crystal and, like other stimulants, is highly addictive. (In terms of molecular structure, ice and methamphetamine are the same)The use of ice results in a longer, more intense high and an enhanced and more rapid onset of the negative effects of other forms of methamphetamine.

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Heroin is an illegal, highly addictive, opiate drug. Its abuse is more widespread than any other opiate. Heroin is processed from morphine, a naturally occurring substance extracted from the seed pod of certain varieties of poppy plants. It is typically sold as a white or brownish powder, or as the black sticky substance known on the streets as “black tar heroin.” Although purer heroin is becoming more common, most street heroin is “cut” with other drugs or with substances such as sugar, starch, powdered milk, or quinine.

Heroin is a semi-synthetic opiate derived from morphine or codeine and is the most potent of the opiates. It is typically found in white to brown powdered form and is injected, sniffed, or smoked. In the past, powders sold as illicit heroin typically contained only 1% to 10% of the drug.

Slang terms: “smack”, “junk”, “horse”, “skag”, “H”, “China white”

Indicated for:

Relief of extreme pain
Recreational uses:

Euphoria
Relaxation
Other uses:

Pain relief
Cough suppressant
Anti-diarrhea

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Cocaine, the most potent stimulant of natural origin, is extracted from the leaves of the coca plant (Erythroxylon coca), which is indigenous to the Andean highlands of South America. It is a potent brain stimulant and one of the most powerfully addictive drugs. Cocaine is produced as a white chunky powder. It is sold most often in aluminum foil, plastic or paper packets, or small vials. Cocaine is usually chopped into a fine powder with a razor blade on a small mirror or some other hard surface, arranged into small rows called “lines,” then quickly inhaled (or “snorted”) through the nose with a short straw or rolled up paper money. It can also be injected into the blood stream.

Cocaine is a potent, naturally occurring central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. It is derived from the leaves of the coca plant, found primarily in various regions of South America.

There are four primary methods of ingesting cocaine. These are:

1. “Snorting” – absorbing cocaine through the mucous membranes of the nose.
2. Injecting – users mix cocaine powder with water and use a syringe to inject the solution intravenously.
3. Freebasing – Cocaine hydrochloride is converted to a “freebase” which can then be smoked.
4. Crack Cocaine – Cocaine hydrochloride is mixed with ammonia or sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and other ingredients, causing it to solidify into pellets or “rocks”. The crack is then smoked in glass pipes.

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MDMA or ecstasy is a Schedule I, synthetic, psychoactive drug possessing stimulant and hallucinogenic properties. Ecstasy possesses chemical variations of the stimulant amphetamine or methamphetamine and a hallucinogen, most often mescaline. Ecstasy is a semi-synthetic chemical compound.

MDMA use is closely tied to the underground rave (and dance club) scene throughout the world, but has also been widely used by therapists as an adjunct to psychotherapy. Because MDMA is so popular and because it goes well with dance parties, the demand for it usually exceeds supply–especially at any given location on any given night.

MDMA, or ‘ecstasy’ is a ‘psychedelic amphetamine’ that has gained popularity over the past 20 years because of its ability to produce strong feelings of comfort, empathy, and connection to others. It most frequently comes in tablet form, although it is occasionally sold in capsules or as powder. It is most frequently used orally and rarely snorted.

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The drug abuse among people, employees, and especially among teenagers is a cause of concern and several drug testing methods are used to check drug abuse. Multi panel drug testing kits can be easily used for employee drug testing, home drug testing, performance drug testing, pre-employment and random employee drug testing etc. The multi panel drug testing proves to be beneficial as they test for number of drugs, are easy to perform, and provides reliable and accurate results. The multi panel drug testing kits use urine or saliva to detect drugs.

Checks for Multiple Drug Tests
The primary objective of multi panel drug testing kits is to test for several drugs in a single sample at one time. Since number of drugs can be tested through one kit, there is no need to conduct separate test for each drug and thus it saves time. The multi panel drug testing kits can detect number of drugs present in any combination in urine or saliva samples. Multi-panel urine drug screen test also increases the efficiency of the drug test as it can find multiple drugs presence in single specimen at first attempt. They are available in different formats like multi panel drug test cups and multi panel drug test cards. The multi panel drug tests can detect commonly abused drugs like Amphetamine, Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Marijuana (THC), Phencyclidine, Opiates, Methadone, Barbiturate, Benzodiazepine, and Ecstasy in urine and saliva samples.

Cost-Effective
The multi panel drug tests saves considerable amount of money as it tests for several drugs in single sample in first attempt. They are also suitable for random drug testing which requires quick results. The multi panel drug tests are also easy to conduct, provide accurate, quick, and reliable results. Multi panel drug tests are also available in different drug combinations according to the needs. Thus, it provides for a cost-effective way that gives good returns and value for the money.

Simple and Easy To Use
Multi panel drug tests are available in test cards and test cups which are designed for easy handling and easy to use. They can be easily performed at onsite locations and provides results in just 5 mins. It provides an easy step by step procedure to conduct the test without the need of any additional instruments. It also gives same accuracy levels for preliminary tests when conducted in laboratories.

Helpful At Workplace
Multi panel drug tests are suitable for random drug testing performed at workplaces, colleges, schools, sports events etc. When used in random test for employee drug testing at workplaces, it tests for 10-12 drugs which makes it difficult for employees to clear the test. Many multi panel drug test cups are available with attached temperature strip which makes it difficult to tamper and maintains integrity of sample.

Multi panel drug tests are set to SAMHSA cut-off levels for drug concentration. Various multi panel drug tests for oral fluids are non-invasive, provide quick results, and useful for onsite testing. However, the multi panel drug tests provide only preliminary analytical results and for confirmatory purposes the samples should be send for Gas Chromatography\Mass Spectrometry (GC\MS) test.

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The method of collecting a urine sample for drug screening can be important. Some illicit drug users may attempt to substitute another person’s urine, or chemically alter their own specimen. If the urine drug screen is being used for an important decision, such as employment or legal action, procedures to minimize chances of an adulterated or substituted sample may be necessary. These include measuring the temperature or pH of the sample immediately after it is procured, and using tamper-proof containers. Supervised specimen collection may be conducted to ensure that the urine indeed comes from the person being screened.

The most commonly used method for urine drug screening is immunoassay, a rapid and accurate test that uses antibodies embedded on test strips to reveal drug use. Antibodies react only in the presence of very specific substances—in this case, drugs present in urine. When a sufficient concentration of a drug (or drugs) are present, the test strip will indicate which substances have been detected. A control band on each strip confirms that the test was done correctly.

Positive screening results should always be confirmed by a more sensitive method. The most widely accepted corroborative test for all drugs is gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), which can determine the specific substances in the body by recognizing not only the molecular structure of the original compound, but also its metabolite, a chemical created when the drug is metabolized.

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Work place drug testing has become almost a must these days and you need to pass one in order to keep your job safe.

The addiction to drugs has increased to such an extent these days that several steps taken in that respect doesn’t prove to be much fruitful. For that reason in the last few years it has been seen that different companies and their employers are putting forth the condition of having cleared a drug test before giving employment to their employees. Not only in different companies but also in several other institutions like schools, sports teams, and many such are also conducting On-Site Drug Test programs to ensure that their candidates are not addicted to drugs. This process is legally acclaimed and almost most of the countries acclaimed the practice.

Therefore if you want to apply for a job in any company and the employer asks you for a drug test, you are bound to go for it and of course pass it in order to get the job. Along with that it is also true that everybody is allowed the choice whether he wants to give a drug test or not. Nobody can force on it. But along with that it is also to be taken for sure that if your employer asks for a drug test and you do not agree with that, you are not going to get the job.

In some companies it is also seen that periodical drug test campaigns are organized. The reason is that the employers want to make sure that their employees have not taken to drug addiction after joining the company. Therefore to keep your job safe you need to be conscious enough that you do not fall pray to the evil clutches of drug addiction anyway.

There are various methods for conducting a drug test. The most effective one is of course the blood test. But besides that there are several other ways to find out traces of drugs in your body. These methods include urine test, saliva test, hair or hair follicle test etc. Let us now discuss about some of these methods.

Let us first take the example of urine test. In this process the urine samples of the candidate is collected. After that this sample is tested with the help of a panel kit. The sample can also be sent to the laboratory for a through testing to be done on it. This process can find the tresses of drugs easily. And this is a very common process used in most of the cases.

Other than the urine test there are other methods also. One such method is the saliva test. The problem with saliva test is that the usage of drugs in only last few days can be tressed. But the usage more than that cannot be found out that easily. Therefore the practice of saliva tests is not that much popular. But in cases where the only the usage of drugs in the recent days is needed this process is applied. In case of hair and hair follicle testing hair samples are collected to found tresses of drugs in the body. With the help of this process the long-term usage of drugs can be found out. But the problem is that in this process recent usage cannot be noticed. The hair follicle test is conducted in case the candidate is not having any hair on his head. This is rather a painful process and is avoided as far as possible.