Drug Testing Labs
Most Common Drugs
Marijuana
(THC) (9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is the primary
active ingredient in cannabinoids (marijuana). When
ingested or smoked, it produces euphoric effects. Users
have impairment of short-term memory and THC use slows
learning. Also, it may cause transient episodes of confusion,
anxiety, or even frank toxic delirium. Long term, relatively
heavy use may be associated with behavioral disorders.
The peak effect of smoking THC occurs in 20-30 minutes
and the duration is 90-120 minutes after one cigarette.
Elevated levels of urinary metabolites are found within
hours of exposure and remain detectable from 7 to 65
days days depending on how often and how long you have
smoked. The main metabolite excreted in the urine is
11-nor- 9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid.
Cocaine
(COC), derived from the leaves of the coca
plant, is a potent central nervous system stimulant
and a local anesthetic. Cocaine induces euphoria, confidence
and a sense of increased energy in the user; these psychological
effects are accompanied by increased heart rate, dilation
of the pupils, fever, tremors and sweating. Cocaine
is used by smoking, intravenous, intranasal or oral
administration, and excreted in the urine primarily
as benzoylecgonine in a short time. Benzoylecgonine
has a longer biological half-life (5-8 hours) than cocaine
(0.5-1.5 hours) and can generally be detected for 2-5
days after cocaine use or exposure.
Amphetamines
(AMP) is class of potent sympathomimetic agents
with therapeutic applications. They are chemically related
to the human body's natural catecholamine, epinephrine
and norepinephrine. Acute higher doses lead to enhanced
stimulation of the central nervous system and induce
euphoria, alertness, reduced appetite, and a sense of
increased energy and power. More acute responses produce
anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, and psychotic behavior.
The effects of amphetamines generally last 2-4 hours
following use, and can be detected 2 - 5 days after
use. About 30% of amphetamines are excreted in the urine
in unchanged form, with the remainder as hydroxylated
and deaminated derivatives.
Methamphetamines
(MET)
is a potent sympathomimetic agent with therapeutic applications.
The drug can be taken orally, injected, or inhaled.
Acute higher doses lead to enhanced stimulation of the
central nervous system and induce euphoria, alertness,
reduced appetite, and a sense of increased energy and
power. Cardiovascular responses to MET include increased
blood pressure and cardiac arrhythmias. More acute responses
include anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, psychotic
behavior, and eventually, depression and exhaustion.
The effects of MET generally last 2-4 hours, and the
drug has a half-life of 9-24 hours in the body. MET
is excreted in the urine primarily as amphetamine and
oxidized and deaminated derivatives. However, 10-20%
of MET is excreted unchanged. Thus, the presence of
the parent compound in the urine indicates MET use.
MET is generally detectable in the urine for 3-5 days,
depending on urine pH level.
Opioid
analgesics (OPI) comprise a large group of
substances, which control pain by depressing the central
nervous system. Morphine is the prototype compound of
this group. Morphine is excreted in the urine primarily
as morphine-3-glucuronide while smaller amounts are
excreted as unchanged free morphine and other metabolites.
It is also the major metabolic product of codeine and
heroin. Morphine is delectable in the urine for 5-7
days after an opiate dose.
Phencyclidine
(PCP) commonly referred to as PCP or Angel's
Dust,Hog, is classified as an hallucinogen when used
by humans. Once used by veterinarians as an anesthetic
and as a tranquilizer, Production
was stopped due to a psychotic reaction in some people.
It has been replaced with safer alternatives. Tenocyclidine
(TCP) is chemically similar to PCP and is also an hallucinogen.
All the PCP made today is done so Ilegally. PCP enters
your blood stream and is deposited into the fat cells.
Usually out of your system in 2 - 4 Days.
Benzodiazepines
(BZO) are prescription sedatives normally in
pill form. The most commonly abused are Xanax (Alprazolam)
and Valium (Diazepam). Benzodiazepines are prescribed
for anxiety and stress relief and as muscle relaxants.
Rohypnol (Flunitrazepam), commonly referred to as Ruphies
or the Date Rape Drug, is another Benzodiazepine, currently
unavailable by prescription in the United States, but
still sparsely available in the black market. Benzodiazepines
enter your blood stream and are deposited into your
fat cells. Depending on which one used they can be detected
in the urine and blood for 7 - 10 days.
Nicotine (COT) is
one of the most heavily used addictive drugs in the
United States. Cigarette smoking has been the most popular
method of taking nicotine since the beginning of the
20th century. The
presence of nicotine in the body can be seen through
the detection of cotinine, the major metabolite of nicotine
in human urine and blood and can be detected 7-21 days
depending on usage. In
1998, 60 million Americans were current cigarette smokers
(28 percent of all Americans aged 12 and older), and
4.1 million were between the ages of 12 and 17 (18 percent
of youth in this age bracket). In 1989, the U.S. Surgeon
General issued a report that concluded that cigarettes
and other forms of tobacco, such as cigars, pipe tobacco,
and chewing tobacco, are addictive and that nicotine
is the drug in tobacco that causes addiction. In addition,
the report determined that smoking was a major cause
of stroke and the third leading cause of death in the
United States.
|
