Which Substances Are Included in a Non-DOT 5 Panel Drug Test?

What drugs are about to be tested in a non DOT 5 panel drug test?

Transportation employees are subject to federal law concerning drug testing. In all other circumstances if an employer wishes to conduct a drug screening the government has provided little information with regard to pre- employment, reasonable suspicion, post accident or random testing. In these situations, employers may decide to go for a non DOT 5 Panel Drug Test. (Learn more in “DOT vs Non-DOT Testing: What’s the Difference?”.)

Drug Test Law

In case an employer chooses to embark on drug screening there are certain guidelines set by Employment Law. Employers must provide written policies for every employee and applicant (Learn more in “The Importance of a Good Drug and Alcohol Policy in the Workplace”.) regarding:

Who receives drug testing?

Circumstances where testing shall happen.

List of effects or outcomes associated with a positive to-drug screen result.

The non DOT 5 panel test also known as the standard 5 panel drug screen employs a urine sample for the screening. Urine samples are also the most favored for drug use testing within the last 3 days up to 72 hours in this case. They are good approximations and are cheaper compared to other devices, with results provided in the shortest time possible, in moments. (Learn more in “Drug Test Types: 5, 7 and 12 panel urine screening differences and reason for using the different panels Below:.

Substances Detected for the 5 Panel Test

Why consider a drug screen? Let’s look at the drugs included in a Standard 5 Panel (non-DOT) screening and why it may be important to know if the results are positive:

1. Amphetamines: Amphetamines are categorized as stimulants and the chemical formula for these drugs are: 1-phenylethylamine: the central nervous system including the brain and the main nerve from the spinal cord. Developed in 1887, amphetamine was not marketed for medical use until 1934 where it was fl marketed as a decongestant. During world war II pilots used amphetamine and methamphetamine, a substance related to the former, to remain alert on long flights. In the 50s they were taken by women as a slimming agent and as stimulants or “pep” pills by students, athletes, and truck drivers.
2. Cocaine metabolite: Metabolite is derived from the natural breakdown or metabolism of substance in human system. It is not stored in cells, and has a expiration time known as a “half life” before the body disposes it. For cocaine the metabolite is benzoylecgonine. Cocaine itself is chemically metabolized and removed by the liver within the space of 24-48 hours while benzoylecgonine is found in the urine for 3 – 5 days.
3. Marijuana metabolites: Marijuana most commonly refers to the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds of the cannabis plant; it has been used for at least 12,000 years, starting in Asia and was one of the first crops domesticated in that region. It was used by ancient Greeks and Romans; the Vikings also employed this plant for toothache and pain in childbirth. It has been time honored and has been recorded in history to have served some medical and religious uses. Marijuana was placed in Schedule 1 in 1970, the same year when the other reactive hallucinogens including heroin, LSD, ecstasy, and peyote were listed. Despite approved for rescheduling for medical purposes in 33 states, in 2016 it is still categorized in Schedule I – drugs with no currently accepted medical use and high potential for abuse. (Get more information on “Medical Marijuana Use and Concerns in the Workplace”.
4. Opiates: That’s why opium alkaloids are produced from the opium poppy plant and are used as a natural painkiller and as a narcotic for thousands of years. Morphine is the strongest and is used as anaesthetic and pain killer in the civil war period when most of the soldiers developed morphine addiction. Codeine may be derived from the poppy or it may be man-made; it is less potent than morphine. Heroin in fact was an effort by pharmaceutical industries of that time to develop an alternative substance to morphine. Nevertheless, it’s multiple times more powerful than morphine (it actually converts into morphine) and has caused a severe modern day disaster. It means that the only utility it serves is recreational by design. (You can read this in “An Introduction to Opiates and Drug Testing”.
5. Phencyclidine: Phencyclidine (PCP) is a drug of abuse. As an anesthetic, that was given intravenously it was developed in the 1950’s. It caused confusion and hallucination and was discontinued, however. Because it dissociates the user from the real world, it was a popular street drug. They might hear auditory hallucinations or see things with their eyes, and may experience numbness in their arms and legs, slurred speech, paranoia, amnesia even severe mood swings. The name PCP is also called Angel Dust, Wack, Hog, Lovely, Embalming Fluid, and Rocket Fuel.

Medical Uses and Effects of These Drugs

Amphetamines are mainly prescribed today for treatment of Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy, but other drugs are used too. Although amphetamines can increase alertness, some side effects can influence employee performance: mood swings, insomnia, irritability and anxiety. Recreational use also involves some serious risk of addiction.

Before we knew about the addictive properties, cocaine was a big selling point due to being a big part of beverages and doctors like Sigmund Freud even recommended it. Cocaine is now only used for a few medical purposes. Cocaine is applied by physicians to stop severe nosebleeds, or to prevent pain before an operation or procedure on the nose. It can be used as anesthesia before dental work by oral surgeons. But cocaine is one of the most addictive drugs you can get because it hits the brain directly. Some side effects include depression, loss of memory, delusions, paranoia, agitation and hallucinations.

Puhn asserts that the main metabolite is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The chemicals in the THC are what affect the brain, that’s the high feeling. THC stays in your system longer than other drugs since it’s stored in your fat cells. Even an occasional user can’t clear out the THC in a few days. For long term marijuana users, those are problems with memory, attention and their ability to process information. In addition to the risk of lung damage and respiratory issues, if the marijuana is smoked. (Read more about ‘Medical Marijuana Use and Concerns in the Workplace’. Momentum works with employers and federal agencies to help them develop plan designs that reflect robust drug testing programs addressing marijuana use, in compliance with the new California Law that becomes effective on July 1, 2018 and beyond.) The federal government does not recognize any legal marijuana use but some states have started legalizing use in certain cases. (More at “Medical Marijuana Law Differences and Contradictions”.)

In medicine opiates are used as sedative and for pain relief. With opiate painkillers such as oxycodone and hydrocodone going so far as to become the source of addiction, screening for inappropriate use of such medicine has also become commonplace. Opiates have a very short half life. Codeine will appear in a urine screen for 1-2 days; morphine for 1-3 days; hydrocodone for 2-4 days. Employees who habitually use opioids will have a drop in job performance and attendance. They may become fat and lose weight and begin to look and behave in strange ways. As should treatment to prevent decline or death. (Prescription Opioids and Safety Sensitive Work)

PCP has no medicinal uses. Addictive, and causes craving, seeking behaviour and psychological dependence. Use of this drug is detectable in urine for 1–7 days depending on frequency of use and body weight. These include memory loss, difficulty learning, depression, suicidal thoughts or violent behaviour. Treatment is needed, and overdose is possible.

Why Drug Test?

With the ability to learn if potential or current employees are using illegal/illicit drugs an employer is provided at least the relief and security of the workplace. Safety in working together is a bonus. Additionally there are legal and insurance reasons for doing a drug test. (Eight things employers need to know about DOT drug and alcohol testing.)

Laboratory Qualifications

One final note: If you are looking to have the laboratory testing drug screening done, make sure that the laboratory testing company that would be providing the services has the certainties of Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA-88), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and College of American Pathologists (CAP). There may also be separate requirements for licensing on a state basis. (Learn more in “POCT vs. Lab Testing: What is the Difference?”)