Things to remember :
- Urinalysis can be used to detect various drugs, with laboratory tests ranging from 216 to 243 euros, depending on the substances tested for.
- Screening tests can be performed at home without a prescription, but their reliability is generally inferior to that of laboratory tests.
- Results of urine screening tests can be obtained within 5 days, depending on the type of test and the reason for it.
Urinalysis provides information on decisive medical factorsThese tests can be carried out for a variety of reasons. For example, it is recommended that people undergoing long-term opioid therapy (treatment for opioid addiction: heroin, oxycodone, hydromorphone or "Dilau-did", fentanyl and Percocet) have their urine drug levels checked periodically.
This analysis is not covered by professional insurance, but is reimbursed by the Assurance Maladie. Reimbursement rates vary enormously from case to case. Find out in this article how much a urine drug testing and all related terms and conditions.
Costs of urine tests for drugs in the laboratory
The price varies depending on the drug(s) to be researched:
- Narcotics (cannabis, amphetamines, cocaine and opiates)
216 € for screening by gas chromatography coupled to the mass spectrometry GC/SM - B 800 1 and 2.
- Psychoactive drugs
243 € for a chromatography high performance liquid chromatography coupled to a diode array, and gas chromatography coupled to GC/MS mass spectrometry - B 9001.
Cannabis tests (Toxicotests) can also be purchased in the same way as alcohol tests (alcotests) for those wishing to self-test. They are available in pharmacies and on the Internet at prices ranging from €8 to €25.
How is a urine screening test carried out in the laboratory?
These tests are done either by using small strips immersed in a urine sample, or by using boxes containing cotton wool, or by using electronic devices where a few drops of urine are deposited.
So, to put it simply, you'll need to urinate in a clean container that will be given to you to obtain a urine sample. You may be required to provide your urine sample in the presence of a nurse or technician to ensure that the sample is from your own body. (A phlebotomist will take a small amount of blood from a vein in your arm or hand for a blood sample).
Once the sample has been collected, the supplier will forward it to a laboratory for analysis.
What are the different methods used?
Drug testing is grouped into two main classes: “qualitative” methods and “quantitative” methods.
- So-called qualitative methods use a chemical reagent to verify the presence or absence of a drug in the test sample. The reagent is calibrated to react above a certain threshold for the presence of the substance. If the threshold is exceeded, the result is said to be "positive". Below this threshold, the result is said to be "negative".
- Quantitative" screening procedures precisely determine the drug rate in the sample examined.
What drugs are screened for in a urine test?
Urine testing is the most widely used drug screening method, because it is risk-free, easy to perform and effective for spot multiple types of drugs that have been taken in the last four days, or even longer, depending on the nature of the drug taken.
Qualitative methods can only identify the major drug categories and families: cannabis, opiates (heroin, morphine and natural derivatives), cocaine and crack, amphetamines and certain derivatives including ecstasy and methamphetamine, ketamine, buprenorphine (Subutex®), methadone. They do not detect other drugs, such as GHB and hallucinogens (LSD, hallucinogenic mushrooms). Quantitative methods, on the other hand, can detect all drugs in existence.
In which cases can a urine drug test be carried out?
One of the situations in which a drug test is performed is during a roadside check.
Urine screening during a roadside check
Screenings can be carried out in the context of a accidenta exceeding the speed limitany other violation of the highway code or on the simple assumption of a suspicion. If the driver's behavior is abnormal, the member of the criminal investigation department may recognize that he or she is dealing with a pot smoker. Drug tests are mandatory in the event of a fatal accident.
As urine screening involves measuring drug levels in the urine, urine tests must be carried out by a doctor and in a location appropriate for this type of procedure, which explains why they are so rarely performed in the context of conventional roadside checks.
A urine drug test procedure may also be used in other cases, such as in the case of a drug overdose. medical check-up in a company. But this is not compulsory, and must meet certain criteria.
Can I take a drug test without a prescription?
The answer is yes! You can perform an over-the-counter drug test. Home drug tests are available. Some kits allow you to test urine samples in the privacy of your own home. The accuracy of these products varies. As a general rule, their sensitivity is lower than that of formal laboratory tests.
This means that a home test can be negative, while a laboratory test can be positive with the same sample. This is why home drug testing is not recommended.
Drug test: How soon will I receive the results?
How long does it take to complete a drug test? depends on the reason for the test and type of test drug testing.
Generally speaking, urine and blood drug tests are faster than capillary drug tests.
Some laboratories provide a result within 5 days or moreOthers do so more quickly. It's best to contact the laboratory that performed the drug test for information on future results.
A urinalysis can also detect a problem related to a stroke, or other health-related problems such as cancer... Only a health professional can decide whether or not it's necessary. Have you ever undergone urinary screening? Under what circumstances?
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