What are the Different Panel Drug Tests?
You may have heard the term 5 panel drug test, but what does it mean? A drug panel is a class, family or collection of drugs, and the number of panels indicates the number of drugs that test can detect. The higher the number, the more drugs are detected. At Health Street, we offer our clients both urine and hair follicle drug tests in different panel configurations. For our urine drug testing, the industry standard, we offer a wide range of screens, from the basic 5 panel drug test that detects the most commonly abused drugs to comprehensive 16, 20 and 22 panel drug tests, which can detect many different substances
How Many Panel Drug Tests Are There?
This can differ between testing companies. Our most popular are the 5 panel, 6 panel, 7 panel, 9 panel, 10 panel, 11 panel, 12 panel and 14 panel drug tests. Each one adds more drugs, so that you can choose the one that best matches your needs. We also offer instant tests in 5-10 panels, drug and alcohol combined tests, panels with expanded opiates and specialty panels.
What Does a 7 Panel Drug Test Consist Of?
The 7 panel includes these five drug families — marijuana, cocaine, basic opiates (heroin, codeine and morphine), phencyclidine (PCP, angel dust) and amphetamines (Adderall, Ritalin). It adds ecstasy, which includes Molly and MDA, as well as 6-Acetylmorphine (6AM), a metabolite of morphine and heroin.
What Does a 9 Panel Drug Test Include?
Starting with the basic 5 panel drugs of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, codeine, morphine, PCP and amphetamines, the 9 panel test adds benzodiazepines (Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin and Librium), barbiturates, methadone and propoxyphene, an opioid pain reliever (Darvon, Darvocet).
What Panel Drug Test Do Most Employers Use?
Most private employers and government agencies use the standard 5 panel urine drug test. It is cost-effective and focuses on the most abused drugs, such as THC, PCP, cocaine, amphetamines and certain opiates.
What is a DOT Drug Test?
If you look through our screening services, you'll see the DOT drug test. The U.S. Department of Transportation requires companies in transportation industries like aviation, trucking, shipping, transit, rail and the merchant marines to give their safety-sensitive employees DOT tests before they're hired and throughout their employment. There are specific guidelines, and these tests comply with their requirements. The 7 panel (DOT Mirror) test can be ordered by any company. It matches the 7 panel DOT test in the drugs that it tests for.
Which Panel Test Should I Choose?
Although many companies use a 5 panel or 7 panel drug test, there are other considerations. First, you should choose the drug panel that best matches your workplace requirements. Some employers are required to do regular screenings; others want to maintain a drug-free workplace for health, safety and liability issues.
Your testing needs may vary due to drug usage trends in your location or your industry. Employees that work long hours and must stay alert may use amphetamines, which are included in the 5 panel, but workers in hospitals, pharmacies and other healthcare facilities have access to a wide range of prescription drugs, which can pose a greater risk of abuse.
What are the different panel drug tests that Health Street offers? See a full list of our drug test panels and screenings.
The Health Street Difference
We offer our clients more than 14,000 testing labs nationwide, and we use the most reputable laboratories for our drug testing analysis. The test results are reviewed at a SAMHSA certified laboratory by a Medical Review Officer, who is a licensed physician. Our drug testing services are easy to order and schedule online, and test results are delivered quickly and securely, viewable on any device.
For our business clients, our StaffGlass integrated platform helps you to set up and manage your company's drug testing program, including pre-employment drug testing and periodic employee drug testing. It also includes background screening, health screening solutions and other services.
