Drug test kits vary in design but the principles are all the same.
A drug confirmation test is required when you get a presumed positive result from a rapid or instant drug test kit.
Drug testing has now become a necessary part of our lifestyle. Illicit and prescription drugs are being used and abused more and more, and this is hurting our society and putting people’s lives in danger. Typically, areas to be concerned with are the workplace, schools and at home, but anywhere where there are signs of abuse the person in question should be tested.
Implementing drug testing whether it be in the home or the workplace is very straightforward. Try to follow our instructions on how to collect the specimen correctly. The collection, testing and interpretation are very important, but what happens when a test result is presumed positive? What do you do? Firstly, be certain that you followed our guidelines and that everything went to plan.
If you see a Pinky-red line (C) the test was successful. If you see a Pinky-red line (T) the result is negative. If you see a faint Pinky-red line (T) the result is still negative. If there is no line (T) then consider a drug confirmation test to prove the presumed positive, meaning the sample should be analyzed further by a SAMHSA approved laboratory.
Why is a drug confirmation test so important?
A laboratory is needed to confirm your presumed positive test and give you an accurate confirmatory result. They will initially screen your sample again. If the result is negative, then that’s the end of the process. If its presumed positive, they will further analyze your sample using a lab technique called Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry technology (GC-MS). This method is very accurate. If a drug or drugs are found, the confirmation will report the findings detailing what drugs were discovered and how much was found. The results are reported in Nanograms per Millilitre (ng/ml).
As an example; a rapid drug test kit would have a cut-off level for THC, (marijuana) of 50 ng/ml. If the result is 55 ng/ml then the person being tested (the donor) is only just over the limit which is a level recommended by SAMHSA. On the other hand if the result is 505 ng/ml then the donor is probably a regular user. Based on the results you get back from the lab you can then make a decision on how to treat the situation and how to proceed forward. We would always recommend continued random testing until the results are negative.
What do I do with the sample prior to getting a drug confirmation test?
- Before it is shipped to a SAMHSA approved laboratory. You should I keep the sample refrigerated. Yes and keep it a sealed container until it’s dispatched.
- How long will it take to get the pre-paid mailing kit? Typically three days from your request.
- What do I do when I receive the mailer? Full instructions will be included in the mailer on how to prepare the sample for shipping and what documents should be included and where to ship it to.
- What is included in the package? You will receive a Clinical FedEX envelope, mailing label, chain of custody form, specimen box, specimen container and specimen bag.
- How long will it take before I get a report? Typically one to three working days from receipt of sample.
- How will I receive the results of the test? You will receive a full report via confidential email as soon as the lab has finalized its findings.