The 2nd Edition is Out!

The second edition is available and full of vital information!  Here's the press release:  http://www.prweb.com/releases/Parents-Guide-Addiction/Kellena-Page/prweb10994762.htm

On the download page and you'll find several formatting options to choose from.

Following is a table from the second edition that you might find useful.  It lists the advantages and disadvantages of different drug tests.

Type of Drug Test

Advantages

Disadvantages

Urine

• Well studied
  
• Easy specimen to work with
  
• Standardized laboratory methods
  
• Can test many drugs
  
• Affordable
  
• Point-of-collection devices available (i.e., devices that do not require a laboratory analysis and provide rapid results)
• Low risk of false positives
  

• Short detection window (about 1 – 4 days)
• Requires special collection facility for most accurate results
• Collection may be invasive
• Drug concentration varies with hydration status
• Easy to adulterate or substitute sample
• High risk of false negatives

Salvia or Oral Fluid

• Detects recent drug use
• Minimally invasive specimen collection
• Concentrations can be similar to blood concentrations
• Point-of-collection devices available
• Difficult to adulterate
• Low risk of false positives

• Short detection window (about 1 to 48 hours)
• Sample collection not standardized
• Contamination from passive exposure (e.g., second-hand marijuana smoke) possible
• Analytical methods less established and expensive
• Some individuals may have difficulty providing sample
• Small amounts present testing challenges
• High risk of false negatives

Hair

• Longest detection window (7 to 100+ days)
• Sample difficult to adulterate
• Low risk of false negatives
• At-home collection available

• More recent drug use not detected (<7 days)
• Laboratory analysis only
• High risk of false positives
• Environmental contamination to sample possible
• Potential hair color bias (dark hair may retain more drugs than light hair)
• Sample may not be available

Blood

• Low risk of false positives
• Sample extremely difficult to adulterate
• Sample difficult to substitute

• Short detection window (1 to 48 hours)
• High risk of false negatives
• Very invasive
• Clinical collection only
• Laboratory analysis only