A Parent's Guide to Substance Abuse and Addiction
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The 2nd Edition is Out!

8/13/2013

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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
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    Kellena Page

    Kellena serves on the Board of the LifeSteps Council on Alcohol and Drugs (http://lifestepscouncil.org/) and is the mother of 2 curious kids whose questions about drugs and alcohol inspired this book

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