Introduction 

Drug usage is a common practice in Tampa, Florida, thus many organisations and institutions have a common practice of conducting drug testing in Tampa, Fl. 

A national survey report by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater area released some figures relating to drug abuse. 

The report showed that 13.9% of people aged 12 or older used illicit drugs such as marijuana annually and 8% had a substance use disorder. It also reported that 24.5% smoked cigarettes monthly, and 23.2% engaged in binge drinking.

Considering these figures, drug testing has become a common yet a necessaty in many areas of life

Common Reasons For Taking Drug Tests

• Many employers in an organization demand or conduct drug testings in Tampa, Florida at number of instances:

• Before hiring an employee
• Spot testing i.e. an employer might pick a random day for drug testing of employees to make sure they adhere to “no drugs” rule
• Testing of an employee showing violent or negative behavior patterns
• Tests for employee who has had number of accidents or errors in a short amount of time

• There are a number of other reasons for drug testings too

• Medical reasons  
• For follow-up after drug treatment or for rehab patient 
• Court ordered treatment program / legal testing
• Athletic testing
• Accidental consumption or intake 

Types of Drug Tests 

Urine Drug Test (UDT): this is the most common drug test used. UDT detects the presence of even a little bit of substance or the metabolites. It has the capacity to detect presence of metabolites even after days of use of the substances like alcohol, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, opiates/opioids, cocaine and marijuana.

Blood Plasma Drug Test: this test is used by healthcare providers in case of emergencies. It is an invasive testing used to detect the level of substance or alcohol present in the blood. But it can only detect the presence of recently consumed substances because the substance’s presence in blood is very short-lived.  

Breath Drug Test:This drug test is also used to detect a person’s Blood Alcohol Content (BAC), after a recent consumption or when an individual is still under the influence. This method is most commonly used in workplaces due to its ability to detect alcohol or substance for up to 12 hours of use. It detects the presence of cocaine, marijuana, benzodiazepines, amphetamines, opioids, methadone and buprenorphine.

Hair Follicle Drug Test: this method is used to detect drug use by analyzing a small sample of hair, typically taken from the scalp. It can identify drug use over a period of up to 90 days, as drugs are incorporated into hair as it grows. This test is highly accurate and often used to detect substances like cocaine, phencyclidine (PCP), amphetamines, opioids and 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA).

Sweat Drug Test: this test method involves wearing an absorbent patch on the skin for a certain amount of time. And then that patch is used to test what level of substance did the individual consume. It detects the presence of marijuana, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines/methamphetamines & PCP.  

Drug Testings Used in Tampa, Florida

Professional testing labs in Tampa provide a range of drug tests, according to individual or the clients requirement. 

1. Blood 10 Panel Drug Test
2. Blood 5 Panel Drug Test
3. Hair 10 Panel Drug Test
4. Hair 5 Panel Drug Test
5. COC 12 Panel Drug Test
6. COC 5 Panel Drug Test
7. Instant 12 Panel Drug Test
8. Instant 5 Panel Drug Test
9. DOT Drug Test
10. K2 Spice Designer Testing Panel
11. Comprehensive Testing Panel

5-Panel Blood/ Hair Drug Tests

A 5- Panel drug test is used to detect five types of illegal drugs or substances using an individual’s blood or hair sample. It can be used by employers during recruitment or hiring process as a part of pre-employment screening and for random drug testing programs for employees to test for prescription or illicit drugs. 

5-Panel detects following substances:

1. Amphetamines, including drugs like Adderall and methamphetamine

2. Cocaine and its metabolites

3. Marijuana (THC)

4. Opiates, including heroin, morphine, and codeine

5. Phencyclidine (PCP)

10-Panel Blood/ Hair Drug Tests

Employers in more regulated industries like law, government officials or finance use an extensive drug testing method called 10-Panel drug tests. It is relatively costly than 5-Panel testing and looks for the 10 most common illicit drugs or substances that are consumed by people. These 10 drugs include:

1. Amphetamines (Adderall and methamphetamine)

2. Barbiturates, such as phenobarbital and butalbital

3. Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, and Ativan)

4. Cocaine and its metabolites

5. Marijuana (THC)

6. Opiates (heroin, morphine, and codeine)

7. Phencyclidine (PCP)

8. Propoxyphene, a painkiller similar to codeine

9. Methadone (used to treat pain and addiction)

10. Methaqualone (aka Quaaludes)

COC 5-Panel and 12-Panel Tests 

Chain of Custody Drug Testing is a process ensuring the integrity and traceability of a drug test sample from collection to reporting. It ensures well handled documentation and reporting to prevent tampering, contamination, or false positives, making it legally and scientifically reliable for workplace, legal, or regulatory purposes.

COC 5-Panel test includes detection of:

1. Amphetamines (Adderall and methamphetamine)

2. Cocaine and its metabolites

3. Marijuana (THC)

4. Opiates (heroin, morphine, and codeine)

5. Phencyclidine (PCP)

COC 12-Panel test includes detection of:

1. Amphetamines (Adderall and methamphetamine)
2. Barbiturates (such as phenobarbital and butalbital)
3. Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, and Ativan)
4. Buprenorphine

5. Cocaine and its metabolites
6. Methadone 

7. Methaqualone (Quaaludes)
8. Opiates
9. Oxycodone (a semi–synthetic opioid pain medication)
10. Phencyclidine (PCP)
11. Propoxyphene, a painkiller like codeine
12. Marijuana (THC)

Instant 5-Panel and 12-Panel Drug Tests

Instant drug tests are less extensive but efficient drug tests methods that provide results on the same day. These results are used for emergency needs by healthcare workers, employers or any individual, however these tests have low accuracy rates. If an instant drug test indicates positive results, you can apply for confirmatory results later. 

Instant drug tests detect the same drug substances for 5-Panel and 12-Panel tests as mentioned above. 

DOT Drug Test 

These are the drug tests conducted by the Department Of Transportation (DOT) on employees at different levels of the job such as pre-employment drug tests, post accident drug tests, and random drug testing. These tests are run on employees  like train and bus drivers, airline flight crew, commercial truck drivers or any transportation operators and engineers. All the employees that work actively under DOT agencies are required to give this 5-Panel test. 

K2 Spice Designer Testing Panel

This drug test is done to test the traces of synthetic marijuana also known as Synthetic Cannabinoids or K2 Spice. These are designer drugs that are made to mimic THC found naturally in marijuana. It does contain synthetic material like natural herbs, but it is even more detrimental to health than the THC drug. 

Comprehensive Testing Panel

A comprehensive drug test panel is a test conducted to detect a wide range of medicated/ prescription, non-prescription or illegal drugs in a person’s body. These tests are generally performed through urinalysis, blood tests and hair follicle tests.

Get Cleared Today!

Many organisations in Tampa are concerned about their work environment and company’s credibility that’s why they make sure to carry out drug tests on every level and on each stage of employment. And most of them rely only on professional testing.

Testing Labs offer a range of drug tests in Tampa, Florida, so whether it’s your new employer’s demand or a regular workplace testing, get yourself tested and clear your record today!