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Home Drug Testing: Important Things to Know When Using an At-home Drug Test Kit

Sometimes recovering addicts want to prove to their family or friends that they are not using drugs. Many turn to at-home drug testing kits, which are easy to use and provide immediate information. Proving that you are clean is a very important issue and you want to make sure your drug test provides accurate results. Here are some tips to help you make the best choice:

Choose a Test That Has Been FDA-Cleared

There are lots of home drug-testing kits on the market, but many of them are not FDA-cleared. The FDA reviews performance data to assure that the drug test meets current standards for accuracy and reliability. Tests that are not cleared by the FDA may not meet current laboratory standards. If the FDA has not reviewed a drug test product, consumers cannot be assured that the results of that drug test are as accurate as with an FDA-cleared test such as First Check Home Drug Testing Kits.

Types of At-Home Drug Testing Kits

There are many home drug testing kits available. Most are based on urine samples or saliva. There are kits that test for a single drug including amphetamines drug tests, barbiturates drug tests, cocaine drug tests, marijuana (thc) drug tests, meth drug tests and opiate (heroin) drug tests.

You can also get at-home drug test kits for panels of drugs. Combinations range from 2-panel drug tests for marijuana and cocaine to 12-panel drug tests for marijuana, cocaine, opiates (heroin), meth, Ecstasy, amphetamines, PCP, benzo's, barbiturates, methadone, tricyclic antidepressants, and Oxycodone.

How to Collect a Urine Sample for Testing

It is vital that you follow the directions on the at-home drug testing kit exactly. Be sure to fill the urine cup to the recommended level. Usually the results appear after a specified number of minutes. Wait the specified time to read results. Typically, results are not valid after the time limit.

Understand the Limits of Drug Test Results

Accuracy of a drug test depends on a variety of factors, including how soon the test is administered after ingestion of the drug and the amount of drug in the system relative to the cutoff concentrations levels (i.e. established minimum levels).

Some drugs stay in the system longer than others. Drugs like coke and meth stay in the system up to 2-4 days while PCP stays in the body 7-14 days. Heavy marijiana users may still test positive up to 40 days after the last time used.

False positives may result in the case of testing for amphetamines, if you drink a lot of caffeinated beverages or take cold medications containing pseudoephedrine. Other over-the-counter and prescription drugs may also react with various drug tests. It is important to read all information with the home drug testing kit so you are aware of what may cause false positives.