If you answered yes to either of these, you're likely going to need drug screening shortly. Most places of employment and schooling require some kind of drug screening.

If your employer or school is asking for you to get drug tests done, you should make sure that you get reliable, accurate results. With Ulta Lab Tests, you can get drug screening lab tests and any other tests you may need.

To learn more, keep reading.

What Is Drug Screening?

A drug screen is a panel of tests that look for the presence of one or more drugs in your system. Depending on the test, the panel may require a sample of urine or blood.

However, urine is the most common method of drug testing.

Here are some of the most common drugs that these screens test for:

Marijuana
Amphetamines, such as methamphetamine
Cocaine
Steroids
Phencyclidine
Barbiturates, such as secobarbital and phenobarbital
Opioids, such as: codeine, oxycodone, morphine, hydrocodone, heroin, and fentanyl

A drug screen will come back positive for various drugs depending on how long they've been in your system. Some drugs remain in your body longer than others.

Once your body completely metabolizes and passes these drugs, the test will come back negative. If you haven't been using these drugs, your test will come back negative as well.

Drug Screening Risk Factors

Someone may ask you to complete a drug screen if you're in any of the following situations:

Getting a new job
Coming up on a job anniversary
Being evaluated for legal reasons
Providing forensic evidence
Taking opioids or other prescription drugs that show up on drug screens
Joining or already a part of a sports organization

If any of these or similar scenarios apply to you, you may have to take a drug screen at some point.

Reasons for Drug Screening

Most commonly, drug screens are ordered in the following situations:

Employment, both new employment opportunities, and repetitive testing during employment
School-related testing
Sports organizations for professional and collegiate players
Legal purposes
Healthcare monitoring

It's important to note that your healthcare provider may ask you to take regular drug tests if you're on a prescription for a drug that shows up positive on the test. They could be doing this to make sure that you're taking the medication while ensuring that you're not taking any other drugs that are contraindicated.

Your healthcare provider may also order a drug screen if they suspect drug abuse.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Drug Abuse?

Drug abuse is a disease that forms a dependent relationship between a patient and drugs. No matter the drug, this kind of relationship can be detrimental for the patient. Therefore, healthcare workers are vigilant in ensuring that drug abuse is caught early and treated as needed.

Here are some of the common signs and symptoms of drug abuse:

Inability to stop using a specific drug or set of drugs
Thought that one needs the drug to continue with their standard way of living
Ignorance of any consequences that may come from their use of drugs
Slowed or slurred speech
Agitation
Mood swings
Panic attacks
Paranoia
Difficulty breathing
Nausea
Blood pressure changes
Heart rhythm changes
Delirium

If you believe that you or someone you know may be abusing drugs, you should let a healthcare worker know as soon as possible. Getting help early is the key to battling drug abuse and drug addiction.

Remember, not everyone who abuses drugs has an addiction. However, the chronic use of drugs can lead to addiction over time.

How Is Drug Screening Conducted?

During a drug test, you have to follow a specific series of tests. These standard instructions ensure that all patients are handled fairly:

Wash your hands
Clean your genital area with a wipe
Move the collection container under your urethral opening
Start urinating in the container
Collect the minimum amount as determined by the facility you're testing at
Finish urinating into the toilet
Return the container to the designated professional without flushing the toilet
Wash your hands

The facility that you get your test done at may have slightly different procedures. However, you'll find that most facilities will follow these standards closely.

The Lab Tests to Screen, Diagnose, and Monitor Drug Screening

At Ulta Lab Tests, we offer two kinds of drug screens:

Serum drug screen
Urine drug screen

Between these two drug screens, we test for a variety of drugs:

Acetaminophen
Amphetamines
Barbiturates
Benzodiazepines
Cocaine Metabolite
Methadone
Salicylates
Tricyclic
Volatiles

These tests cover the basic drugs that most physicians test for or track. They're also useful in situations of acute drug toxicity.

Whether you're looking to get your labs done for an employer, a physician, or someone else, Ulta Lab Tests can get you quick and reliable results. Be sure to choose the drug test that fulfills your testing requirement and tests for the correct drugs.

Get Drug Screening Lab Tests With Ulta Lab Tests

Whether you're required to get drug screening lab tests or you'd like to test yourself, you should get your drug screens done with Ulta Lab Tests. We offer highly reliable and accurate tests that can help you make more informed decisions about your health. Here are a few of the benefits that you'll enjoy with Ulta Lab Tests:

You'll get secure and confidential results
You don't need health insurance
You don't need a physician's referral
You'll get affordable pricing
We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee

Order your drug screening lab tests today, and you'll get your secure and confidential results online in 24 to 48 hours for most tests.

Take control of your health with Ulta Lab Tests today!