Origin Diagnostics Drug Testing

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This question is asked by many different people, and for good reason. Marijuana is the most commonly used and tested for drug in the United States and several other countries as well. Marijuana is also the drug that is more likely to stay in your system for days, weeks, or even an entire month after the last time that you smoke.

Therefore, even though marijuana is one of the least harmful drugs out there, it is also the most likely drug to cause you to fail a drug test.

When you ask the question “How long does marijuana stay in your system?” you need to take into account the fact that there is no simple answer to this question. Quite simply, it’s argued both that THC never leaves your brain, as well as that there are several different factors which can affect whether or not you test positive for marijuana use.

The speed at which marijuana leaves your body depends both on the speed of your metabolism, as well as on the half life of THC. Unlike most other substances, the half-life of THC can vary quite a bit, depending on who is using it, when it’s used, and several other factors. For example, it’s estimated that THC can have a half life that ranges anywhere from 1-10 days. It’s almost impossible to find out what that half life is, which means that it is very difficult to use it to calculate how long it will take for all of the THC to leave your body.

Not only that, but your metabolism and how much marijuana you smoked will also have an effect on the length of time that it will take you before you can test without testing positive for marijuana use. After all, the half-life is only the length of time that it takes for you to lose half of the THC that is in your system. If you’ve smoked a lot of marijuana, then it will take you longer before the THC in your body drops back below the amount that is detectable by most drug tests.

For this reason, when you ask “How long does marijuana stay in your system?” you have to realize that it’s very unlikely that you’ll be able to get a usable answer. The most common period of time is anywhere from 3-30 days, depending on your metabolism and the amount of marijuana that you’ve smoked. This is unfortunate, since it means that while most drug tests can only turn up evidence of other drugs if you’ve been taking the drug within a few days of the drug test, marijuana could still be detected in a urine test up to a month after the last time it is used.

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CLIA refers to Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments. These amendments were passed by the Congress way back in 1988. These laws stipulate that laboratory testing procedures should ensure timeliness, accuracy and dependability irrespective of the location of the tests.

What is a CLIA waiver?
Every laboratory and home test has its own unique requirements. Certain tests can be highly complex and may require specialized equipment. If these tests satisfy certain conditions they can be exempt or waived from all regulatory procedures. In other words, these tests are cleared by FDA and can be performed at home. Most of these tests are very simple to carry out and use standardized equipment, which makes chances of an inaccuracy impossible. Such tests are referred to as a CLIA waived.
Which tests are CLIA waived?
There are specific tests which have been CLIA waived. These are:
Tests performed for urinalysis using a tablet or a dipstick: These include tests to ascertain the presence of protein, urobilinogen, hemoglobin, bilirubin, nitrite, pH, glucose levels, leukocytes, ketone, specific gravity etc.
- Pregnancy tests: There are many home kits available these days, which make it easy for a woman to determine if she is pregnant.
- Occult blood of the fetus
- Non-automated method of estimating the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation
- Ovulation tests: This involves performing color comparisons visually to ascertain luteinizing hormones
- Non-automated methods of detecting copper sulfate in hemoglobin
- Using glucose measuring mechanisms to ascertain blood glucose levels
Things to keep in mind
In order to have a particular laboratory test get CLIA waived, you need a certificate from the FDA. This certificate has to be issued from the Secretary. If you already have a certificate and it is about to expire, you need to get it renewed. The certificate can be rejected for renewal if your laboratory fails to comply with the regulations stipulated as per the CLIA law. A CLIA waived test should be so easy and simple to perform that even if it is done improperly it does not harm the patient in any manner. In cases where the laboratory application for a CLIA waiver has been disapproved the Secretary will issue a notice of the same. From that date onwards, the certificate will continue to be valid for a period of 60 days or longer if the second application is made in a timely manner.
Factors considered for a CLIA waiver
There are several aspects that are taken into consideration when treating a laboratory test as CLIA waived. Various factors like the quality control being used and method of calibration, processes and examination procedures in use, interpretation mechanisms, how much of independent judgment is required, training needed for instrument usage and operation as well as other associated factors are assessed before passing a test as CLIA waived. Regular inspections will also be conducted by the Secretary to ascertain that the procedures of the laboratory are in strict compliance with the stipulations as per CLIA law. Laboratories, which are accredited as per CLIA laws will be inspected as and when deemed necessary by the Secretary. Those laboratories, which are not accredited will be inspected on a bi-annual basis.

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When the subject of drug testing is discussed, most people think of marijuana, cocaine, heroin or ecstasy – but did you know that there is also a drug test for tobacco usage? That’s right, the same immunoassay technology that is used to detect illicit drugs can also be used to detect cotinine – a metabolite created when the body processes nicotine.

Testing for the presence of cotinine is a standard test to determine if a person is a tobacco user. Cotinine is found in urine from 2 to 4 days after tobacco use. By testing a urine sample, much like a pregnancy test, the tester can detect cotinine.

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It is a screening device. One of the best ways to protect your business is to aggressively screen out alcohol or drug abusers before they become employees. Drug tests can help pinpoint those who are dependent on alcohol and drugs.
It is a defensive tool. Giving applicants a drug test protects your company from negligent hiring claims arising from violence or safety violations. It is also true that drug abusers tend to avoid firms that test.
It may be a legal requirement. For certain safety-sensitive positions and occupations, drug and alcohol testing of applicants is mandated by federal or state law.

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Drug testing amongst employees is carried out by employers in order to find out about problems related to drug addiction amongst their employees. As the problem of drug addiction is a very serious one which affects the professional life of a person, it is in the best interests of the company to find out if any of their employees are indulging in any drug related malpractices.

Though drug testing requires an initial investment by the company, the benefits it provides are many. Most companies follow a two pronged strategy; they screen all new recruits for drug abuse, and also carry out random checks among their existing team members. As drug abuse spreads like cancer, it is better to find out the root of the problem, if it exists, and remove it as soon as possible. This will lead to a much healthier working environment at the organization. Absenteeism due to drug abuse related diseases will be reduced. Problems arising out of accidents at the workplace and also that of turnover will be reduced. As a combination of the above factors the productivity of the company goes up and as a result it enhances the profit margins of the company.

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Ketamine: Ketamine, also known as special K, K, vitamin K, and fort dodge, is a derivative of PCP (a powerful psychedelic drug) that has become increasingly popular. Although more difficult to produce than PCP, users can obtain large, inexpensive quantities from veterinary pharmacies in Mexico. Ketamine is commonly used in hospitals for sedation and pain relief.

• What it looks like: Ketamine is abused in clubs and other social situations. Most often, ketamine is inhaled, but it may also be injected into muscle or fat just below the skin or placed into the rectum. It has also been used to ease the crash associated with cocaine or amphetamine binges.
• What it does: Ketamine increases blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tone, and salivation. The clinical effects begin within minutes and last up to an hour. Overdose, which is often referred to as falling into a “K hole,” is common. Overdose is characterized by severe brain-body dissociation, or inability to sense what the environment is really like, and vomiting, restlessness, and tiredness. Ketamine can also produce an emergence reaction resulting in nightmares, floating sensation, visual and hearing disturbances, out-of-body experiences, agitation, and confusion that last up to a day after drug use. During this time, users are not necessarily asleep and usually remember the event.
• Harmful effects: Although the long-term effects of ketamine abuse have not been well studied, it is suggested that out-of-body experiences may recur even without additional use of the drug, and psychosis (severe mental instability) from chronic use may occur.

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GHB is the common name for gamma gydroxybutyric. It is a drug legitimately used to treat insomnia, narcolepsy and depression. This drug is also used as a general anesthetic. However, GHB is also used for date rape, along with other date rape drugs such as Ketamine and Rohypnol.

GHB is a tasteless, odorless and colorless drug. It can be very difficult to notice if someone has slipped it into your food or drink, which means that you should always be very careful about accepting food or drink from strangers whenever you go out. The initial symptoms of drug abuse can be very difficult to recognize, especially if you are not familiar with what to watch out for.

Signs and symptoms of GHB in the system can begin to show 10 to 20 minutes after you have consumed the drug. Depending on the dosage, the effects of the drug can last anywhere from 3 to 6 hours.

1. The first sign of drug abuse is an unusual sense of relaxation. You will feel as if you are merely intoxicated by alcohol. Moderate amounts of GHB can cause someone to lower his or her inhibitions. You will also start to feel drowsy and it is very possible that you will eventually pass out.

2. GHB can also make it difficult for you to think properly. You may have an impaired sense of judgment. You may also begin to experience hallucinations and later on experience insomnia.

3. Another symptom of drug abuse is amnesia or memory loss. GHB can cause someone to pass out and wake up with no memory of what happened a few hours before. Some victims of this drug find it extremely difficult to remember simple facts.

4. Another symptom that you were abused is nausea and possibly even vomiting. You will also have difficulty breathing, especially if GHB was mixed with alcohol and other drugs.

5. You may begin to experience tremors and migraines. You might begin to sweat profusely. These are also common signs of GHB in your system.

6. A common sign of drug abuse is slurred speech and the inability to form coherent sentences. You may be more talkative, but you may not necessarily be making any sense.

7. As GHB enters your body, your anxiety level will either increase or decrease. As the drug leaves your body, it will increase your heart rate and possibly cause hypertension.

8. Upon waking up, inspect your genital area for a physical sign of any abrasions or bruises. Signs of a struggle may mean you were drugged with GHB and were a victim of date rape.

These are some of the most common signs and symptoms of GHB abuse. If you notice that you have some of these symptoms, then immediately call a family member or go to the nearest police station.

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Each state has its own body of laws which concern workplace drug testing or monitoring. For example, Alaska has no mandatory drug-testing laws but does have voluntary drug-testing laws that employers must follow if they chose to conduct drug-testing of job applicants or employees.

In many states, employers have the legal right to test job applicants for drugs or alcohol provided the applicants know that the testing is part of the interview process for all employees.

In most situations, the testing cannot be conducted until the applicant has been offered a position.  Click on State Laws.

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Many people drink water to excess while trying to flush their body clean of drugs. There are two points to think about here:

Drinking lots of water does not work to cheat a drug screening test: Most screening tests check for dilution (too much water) and may reject your results if they believe this is what has occurred.
Water intoxication/overdose: You can drink too much water for your body to handle and cause damage to your body. If too much water is consumed, the kidneys cannot excrete enough fluid. Water intoxication can lead to headaches, blurred vision, cramps and eventually convulsions. For water to reach toxic levels, you would have to consume many litres a day.

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According to a news report from the Los Angeles Times New Service, a study of 161 prescription and over the counter medications showed that 65 of them produced false positive drug test results in the most widely administered urine drug test procedure. Ronald Siegel, a psychopharmacologist at UCLA said ‘The widespread testing and reliance on tell-tale traces of drugs in the urine is simply a panic reaction invoked because the normal techniques for controlling drug use haven’t worked very well. The next epidemic will be testing abuse.” Currently there are more than 250 over-the-counter medications and prescription drugs that can cause false positives.  

Click on links to find false positive drugs:

Marijuana (THC)
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCA)
Barbiturates (BAR)
Buprenorphine (BUP)
Benzodiazepines (BZO)
Phencyclidine (PCP)
Methadone (MTD)
Oxycodone (OXY)
Methamphetamine (MAMP)
Amphetamines (AMP)
Propoxyphene (PPX)
Opiates and Morphine (OPI or MOR)

Note: Cocaine (COC) and Ecstasy (MDMA) has no cross reaction drugs at this time.