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Adulterated specimen
A specimen that contains a substance that is not expected to be present in human urine, or contains a substance expected to be present but is at a concentration so high that it is not consistent with human urine.
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Adulteration
The addition of a substance to the urine at the time of the collection is generally how adulteration is done; however, there are some commercially available products that are sold specifically as adulterants to add substances to one's urine to interfere with the testing process. There is also potential health risk to such internal adulterant; however, the actual risk is unknown. All SAMHSA-certified laboratories test for adulterants in urine.
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Amphetamines
Amphetamines are stimulants or "uppers" -- usually made synthetically in illegal labs. The effects include stimulation of the central nervous system, a sense of well-being and higher energy, a release of social inhibitions, and feelings of cleverness, competence and power. These are similar to the effects of cocaine but last longer. The term "amphetamine" refers to a large class of stimulants: amphetamines (black beauties, white bennies), dextroamphetamines (dexies, beans), and methamphetamines (crank, meth, crystal, speed). They can be taken orally, injected, smoked or snorted. Chronic use can cause paranoia, picking at the skin, auditory and visual hallucinations, and extremely violent and erratic behavior. Amphetamines are addictive.
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Barbiturates
Barbiturates are drugs that act as central nervous system (CNS) depressants, and by virtue of this they produce a wide spectrum of effects, from mild sedation to anesthesia.
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Benzodiazepines
The benzodiazepines are a class of drugs with hypnotic, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, amnestic and muscle relaxant properties. Benzodiazepines are often used for short-term relief of severe, disabling anxiety or insomnia. Long-term use can be problematic due to the development of tolerance and dependency.
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Blood Alcohol Test
Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is considered to be the standard for measuring the degree to which an individual is impaired by alcohol. For years, studies have shown that there is a direct correlation between the blood alcohol concentration and the degree to which reactions and judgments are impaired. The methodology used for blood alcohol testing is Gas Chromatography and is the most accurate forensic quality test in the industry today. However, drawing blood is an invasive and somewhat more expensive procedure that some companies prefer to avoid.
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Breath Alcohol Technician (BAT)
A person who instructs and assists employees in the alcohol testing process and operates an evidential breath testing device.
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Canceled test
A drug or alcohol test that has a problem identified that cannot be or has not been corrected, or which this part otherwise requires to be canceled. A canceled test is neither a positive nor a negative test.
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CDS
Controlled Dangerous Substance
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Chain of Custody
The set of procedures to account for the integrity of each urine or blood specimen by tracking its handling and storage from point of specimen collection to final disposition of the specimen. In drug testing, this requires the use of the appropriate drug testing custody form, from the time of collection to receipt by the laboratory.
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Collection site
A place selected by the employer where employees present themselves for the purpose of providing a urine specimen for a drug test.
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Collector
A person who instructs and assists employees at a collection site, who receives and makes an initial inspection of the specimen provided by those employees, and who initiates and completes the CCF.
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Confirmation drug test
A second analytical procedure performed on a urine specimen to identify and quantify the presence of a specific drug or drug metabolite.
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Confirmation validity test
A second test performed on a urine specimen to further support a validity test result.
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Contraband
An item that is illegal to possess, produce or distribute.
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Controlled Substance
Drugs and certain other chemicals, both narcotic and non-narcotic, which come under the jurisdiction of federal and state laws regulating their manufacture, sale, distribution, use and disposal.
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Creatine
A white crystalline nitrogenous substance C4H9N3O2 found especially in the muscles of vertebrates either free or as phosphocreatine.
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Cutoff Level
The defined concentration of a substance in a specimen at or above which the test is called positive and below which it is called negative. This concentration is usually significantly greater than the sensitivity of the assay.
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Date Rape Drug
See GHB
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Designer Drugs
Designer drugs are made by underground chemists in order to create street drugs that are not specifically listed as controlled substances by the Drug Enforcement Administration. A designer drug is made by changing the molecular structure of an existing drug or drugs to create a new substance. An example is Ecstasy. The street names vary. Because unlicensed and untrained amateurs create them, these drugs can be extremely dangerous. In many cases, these forms are more dangerous and potent than the original drug. Designer drugs derived from the pharmaceutical drug fentanyl have been associated with hundreds of deaths in the United States.
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Dilute Specimen
A specimen with creatine and specific gravity values that are lower than expected for human urine.
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Dilution
Adding a dilutant (water) to a specimen is the most common form of alteration. The collection process, along with the need to keep the dilutant at body temperature, has greatly reduced this practice. All SAMHSA-certified laboratories test specific gravity and creatinine levels for evidence of dilution.
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DOT Drug Test
The Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991 requires drug and alcohol testing of safety-sensitive transportation employees in aviation, trucking, railroads, mass transit, pipelines and other transportation industries. DOT publishes rules on who must conduct drug and alcohol tests, how to conduct those tests and what procedures to use when testing. These regulations cover all transportation employers, safety-sensitive transportation employees and service agents -roughly 12.1 million people. Encompassed in 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 40, the Office of Drug & Alcohol Policy & Compliance (ODAPC) publishes, implements and provides authoritative interpretations of these rules.
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Downers
See Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines.
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Drug Schedules
Federal drug statutes establish schedules of controlled substances, defining and classifying illegal drugs. The Attorney General has the authority to delete, add, or re-schedule substances according to certain criteria. State schedules refer to, or are based upon, federal schedules. Drugs included on these schedules are referred to as "Controlled Dangerous Substances" (CDSs).
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Drug Testing
Any test administered to detect the presence of drugs, esp. from a blood or urine sample and esp. for illegal substances.
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Due Diligence
A reasonable and expected measure of attention taken for a particular action. Not measurable by an absolute standard, but dependant on the situation.
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Ecstasy
See MDMA
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EMIT Test
Enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique is the most common test performed when doing a drug urinalysis.
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Gas Chromatography
A process in which the specimen is vaporized and injected into a stream of carrier gas (as nitrogen or helium) moving through a column containing a stationary phase composed of a liquid or particulate solid and is separated into its component compounds.
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GC/MS Confirmation
Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) is a quick method to analyze mixtures of vapours. Gas Chromatography sorts the individual molecules. Mass spectroscopy is then used to identify each type of molecule on the basis of weight.
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Heroin
See Opiates
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Immunoassay
A rapid and accurate test that uses antibodies embedded on test strips to reveal drug use. Antibodies react only in the presence of very specific substances - in this case, drugs present in urine. When a sufficient concentration of a drug (or drugs) are present, the test strip will indicate which substances have been detected. A control band on each strip confirms that the test was done correctly.
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Interference
The effect that a compound (or group of compounds) has on the accuracy of test measurement.
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Intoxicates, Intoxication
Reduction of physical or mental capabilities caused by the ingestion of an intoxicating substance such as alcohol or drugs.
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Ketamine
Ketamine - a general anesthetic and tranquilizer (not a barbiturate) that is administered intravenously or intramuscularly; used mainly by veterinarians or for minor surgery with geriatric or pediatric patients; taken in large doses it causes hallucinations similar to those associated with the use of PCP.
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Liquid Ecstasy
See GHB
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Mass Spectrometry
An instrumental method used in conjunction with Gas Chromatography that provides accurate information about the molecular mass and structure of complex molecules. This technique can identify and quantify extremely small amounts of drugs or metabolites by their mass-fragment spectrum.
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MDMA
methylenedioxymethamphetamine - a stimulant drug that is chemically related to mescaline and amphetamine and is used illicitly for its euphoric and hallucinogenic effects; it was formerly used in psychotherapy but in 1985 it was declared illegal in the United States; "MDMA is often used at parties because it enables party-goers to remain active for long periods of time."
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Metabolite
A compound produced from the chemical changes of a drug in the body.
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Methadone Treatment Program
A program for opiate addicts, usually conducted in an outpatient setting. These programs use a long-acting synthetic opiate medication, usually methadone or LAAM, administered orally for a sustained period at a dosage sufficient to prevent opiate withdrawal, block the effects of illicit opiate use, and decrease opiate craving. Pregnant women who are addicted to opiates can also be safely treated with methadone. Using the most effective dose of methadone does not increase the baby's symptoms of withdrawal. People who are stabilized on adequate, sustained dosages of methadone or LAAM can function normally. They can hold jobs, avoid the crime and violence of the street culture, and reduce their exposure to HIV by stopping or decreasing injection drug use and drug-related high-risk sexual behavior. Patients stabilized on opiate agonists can engage more readily in counseling and other behavioral interventions essential to recovery and rehabilitation. The best, most effective programs include individual and/or group counseling, as well as provision of, or referral to, other needed medical, psychological, and social services. Also known as agonist maintenance treatment or opiate agonist maintenance.
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Methaqualone
Nonbarbiturate sedative/hypnotic that produces sleep for about 6 to 8 hours. It also produces muscular relaxation, feelings of contentment, and total passivity.
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Negative Test Result
A test result which states that no drug or metabolite is present or no drug or metabolite is present in an amount greater the cutoff concentration.
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Opiates
Substances that come from the opium poppy, as well as any substance that dulls the senses, relieves pain, and causes deep sleep. Some, such as morphine and codeine, are helpful in dulling the pain of cancer and other ailments. Others, such as heroin, can be deadly, and all are potentially addictive.
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Oxycodone
A semisynthetic morphine derivative used as a pain reliever. Trade names include Percodan, Percocet-5, and Tylox.
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PCP
See Phencyclidine
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Phencyclidine
Phencyclidine, or PCP, is a white crystalline power with a distinctively bitter chemical taste. PCP turns up on the illicit drug market in a variety of tablets, capsules and colored powders. It is snorted, smoked or eaten. When smoked, PCP is often applied to a leafy herb such as mint or parsley, or to tobacco or marijuana. It is called "crystal supergrass" and "killer joints" when mixed with marijuana. PCP was developed as an intravenous anesthetic. Medical use of PCP in humans was discontinued because patients often became agitated, delusional and irrational while recovering from its anesthetic effects. PCP is often sold on the street as "angel dust," "ozone," "wack" and "rocket fuel."
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Positive Test Result
A test result which states that a drug or metabolite is present.
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Preferred Third Party Providor
A participating member of the network providing drug test collections nationwide.
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Propoxyphene
A mildly narcotic analgesic drug (trade name Darvon) related to methadone but less addictive.
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PSC
Patient Service Center
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Rohypnol
Rohypnol - a depressant and tranquilizer (trade name Rohypnol) often used in the commission of sexual assault; legally available in Europe and Mexico and Colombia.
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SAMHSA
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Schedule I Drugs
The drug or other substance has a high potential for abuse. The drug or other substance has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug or other substance under medical supervision.
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Schedule II Drugs
The drug or other substance has a high potential for abuse. The drug or other substance has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse of the drug or other substances may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
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Schedule III Drugs
The drug or other substance has a potential for abuse less than the drugs or other substances in schedules I and II. The drug or other substance has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse of the drug or other substance may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychologicaldependence.
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Schedule IV Drugs
The drug or other substance has a low potential for abuse relative to the drugs or other substances in schedule III. The drug or other substance has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse of the drug or other substance may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to the drugs or other substances in schedule III.
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Schedule V Drugs
The drug or other substance has a low potential for abuse relative to the drugs or other substances in schedule IV. The drug or other substance has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse of the drug or other substance may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to the drugs or other substances in schedule IV.
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Split Specimen
In drug testing, a part of the urine specimen that is sent to a first laboratory and retained unopened, and which is transported to a second laboratory in the event that the employee requests that it be tested following a verified positive test of the primary specimen or a verified adulterated or substituted test result.
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Substitution
Using a urine specimen that is known to be free of any illegal drug is the most successful method of altering test results. However, the donor must be able to conceal the specimen from the collector, keep it at body temperature and transfer it into the collection container within a very short time. One of the more common practices used by drug users in the medical field is the reverse catheter. A donor will empty his/her own bladder, insert a catheter, and insert someone else's drug-free urine through the catheter into his/her own bladder. There are also expensive devices that may be purchased for this very purpose. Although there is no test to determine if a substituted specimen has been used, collectors are well trained to detect the substitution of specimens.
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THC
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol; the main active ingredient in marijuana, which acts on the brain to produce its effects.
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Third-party administrator (TPA)
A service agent that provides or coordinates the provision of a variety of drug and alcohol testing services to employers. TPAs typically perform administrative tasks concerning the operation of the employers' drug and alcohol testing programs. This term includes, but is not limited to, groups of employers who join together to administer, as a single entity, the DOT drug and alcohol testing programs of its members. TPAs are not "employers" for purposes of this part.
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Third-Party Collection Sites
An independent facility where drug test collections can be performed.
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Third-Party Collectors
Collectors who are under contract to collect debts for a credit department or credit company; collection agency.
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Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor or Drug
Any condition where the nervous system, brain or muscles are impaired to an appreciable degree by an intoxicating substance.
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Uppers
See Amphetamines
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Urine Alcohol Test
Although urine alcohol testing will indicate the presence of alcohol in a person's body, it will not indicate an individual's current condition. Once consumed, alcohol enters the blood through the stomach within 15 minutes, causing immediate impairment. It is then metabolized by the body and, after 1 1/2 to 2 hours, will begin to show up in the urine. Therefore, urine alcohol does not measure a true condition of the person. The results indicate the person's condition several hours before.
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Verified Drug Test
A drug test result or validity testing result from an HHS-certified laboratory that has undergone review and final determination by the MRO.