What is a drug test?
A drug test is used to detect drugs or certain medications in a person’s body. Different sample materials can be examined with the help of various methods. For example, drugs can be detected longer in hair or fingernails than in blood, saliva and urine.
When to take a drug test?
A drug test may be necessary in various situations to determine the type or amount of a substance. For example, detection may result in important steps such as administration of an antidote (antidote) or emergency ventilation. Reasons for drug testing include:
- Poisoning and emergency situations
- Monitoring the progress of drug withdrawal therapy
- Clarification of the question of guilt, for example in road traffic accidents
What do you do when you take a drug test?
Evaluation and findings are forwarded to the requesting office. If it is assumed that drug consumption took place some time ago, hair or fingernails are used as a sample for the drug test. This is because the drugs consumed and their degradation products are incorporated by the body during hair or nail growth. On average, hair grows 1 centimeter per month. With the help of this assumption, conclusions can be drawn about the period of drug consumption.
The detection of drugs in the blood is classically required for acute abnormalities, since most substances are already broken down in the blood within a few hours.
What are the risks of a drug test?
Performing a drug test does not pose any risks as an examination technique. Only the blood sample can lead to bruises (hematomas) or infection if not performed properly.
What do I need to know about drug testing?
The detectability of drugs depends on the original substance, the resulting degradation products (metabolites), the sample material and the test procedure performed. The frequency of use and regularity also play a decisive role. Thus, the question of how long drugs are detectable in urine cannot be answered clearly. The values in the following table should only be seen as rough guidelines.
|
Active substance |
Detection time after last consumption |
|||
|
Blood |
Urine |
Hair |
||
|
Alcohol |
Depending on quantity and degradation |
Degradation of approx. 0.1 to 0.2 per mille per hour |
– |
|
|
Amphetamines (Speed, Crystal) |
short-acting: 1-2 hours long acting: 3-6 hours |
6-10 hours |
3 days |
Months |
|
Cannabis (THC) |
2-4 h |
12 hours frequent consumption: weeks |
3-7 days frequent consumption: weeks |
Months |
|
Ecstasy (MDMA, MDE, MDA) |
3-12 h |
up to 24 hours |
1-4 days |
Months |
|
Heroin |
3-6 h |
12 hours |
3-4 days |
Months |
|
Cocaine |
1-2 h |
6 hours |
3 days |
Months |
|
LSD |
6-12 h |
up to 24 hours |
1-2 days |
– |
|
Opiates (morphine) |
up to 8 hours |
2-7 days |
Months |
If an expert opinion is required as part of a medical-psychological examination (MPU) to prove abstinence, the person concerned must pay the costs of the drug screening themselves. Since the various procedures are often very complex, a drug test can quickly cost several hundred euros.