DrugTestStrips Articles

Cocaine is obtained from the leaves of the plant erythroxylum coca, which grows in South America, India, Java, etc. The leaves contain about 0.5% to 1% cocaine. It is a colorless, odorless, crystalline substance with bitter taste. It is used as local anesthetic which decreases the sensitization of the peripheral nerves. (more…)

The most important way for drugs out of our body is through the renal excretory mechanism. The drugs that are taken orally for systemic absorption and action undergo metabolism in liver or kidney and excreted mainly via urine. This forms the basis of urine drug testing methods in most of the 10 drug test panel, nida 12 panel drug test, drug test 5 panel nondot and several other drug multi panel screen test that are available in online drug testing companies.

If you are using any drugs of abuse as per the SAMHSA, then there are a lot of possibilities of you getting exposed by the urine drug testing. It has been found that people who are involved in drug abuse have lesser productivity compared to their counterparts and are more liable to suffer from addiction problems, anxiety, lack of concentration, depression and so on. Though the above listed problems are long term, yet there is a more potential short term problem- hang over.

So the employees are keen in taking only those people who are not addicted to any of these drugs of abuse. Urine drug testing serves this purpose. It can detect drugs in urine even after the drug has lost its effect on higher centers. If you happen to take heroin a day before interview and have got over the hang over, then there are still chances of you being exposed in the interview. Urine would still contain the metabolites.

Employees use urine drug testing in two ways, either testing people before interview or in their workplace. The entire process of urine drug testing is very simple and time saving. It just needs few minutes to give sensitive results.

A bit of moral sensitivity can help people abstain from drug abuse; however, it requires a lot of counseling and help to have on realize the pinch of the effects of drug abuse and a lot of training to say no to drugs.

Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs that are used as sedative for treating insomnia, anxiety, and seizures. Benzodiazepine drug testing is used to identify benzodiazepine.

They are psychoactive drugs which act as a muscle relaxant. Some of the commonly used benzodiazepine drugs are lorazepam, Diazepam, etc. The drug enhances the activities of GABA (Gamma-amino butyric acid) neurotransmitter in the brain which helps in slowing down the neuronal activities thereby producing sedative effects.

There are 2 categories of benzodiazepines. They are short-acting and long-acting. The short-acting benzodiazepines are excreted out from the body in a short period. The long-acting benzodiazepines get accumulated in the blood stream and are cleared out after a long time.

Abusive properties of Benzodiazepine: Benzodiazepine when used for a longer term causes psychological dependence and one is bound to become addicted to the drug. The drug is usually taken orally either in capsule form or tablet form. Short-term effects of Benzodiazepine when used at moderate doses are dizziness, confusion, motor coordination impairment, slurred speech, changed vision, respiratory distress, depression, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, etc.

Pre employment drug testing companies do check for most of the drugs via ten panel drug screen test, 12 panel drug test, 5 panel drug screen etcetera.

High doses of Benzodiazepines can cause euphoric effects, decreased level of reflexes, erratic behavior.

Long-term use of the drug will causes accumulation in the blood stream and results in disorientation, lack of coordination, muscle weakness, slurred speech, etc. In this case, the over dosage effects may not at all be evident for some days.

This is also characterized by severe withdrawal symptoms. They include insomnia, tremors, delusion, perspirations, etc. However, the onset of withdrawal symptoms takes some time for long-term users.

Medical properties:

The medical properties of benzodiazepines helps in the treatment of anxiety disorders, sleep disorders including insomnia, and status epilepticus. It is also used as an effective antispasmodic agent to provide muscle relaxation. The drug is also used to produce preoperative sedation and amnesia.

Methamphetamine is a clear-to-white crystalline substance derived from of amphetamine usually having a greater addictive effect than amphetamine. It is a psychoactive drug that affects the central nervous system. The dependence of the drug occurs more quickly. There are lot many street names for the drug. The common ones are chalk, meth, ice, speed, crystal, etc. (more…)

Cocaine: Cocaine is an alkaloid which is extracted from the coca leaves. It stimulates the central nervous system and creates psychological dependence with its prolonged usage.

Abusive properties of cocaine:

When it is in powder form, it is inhaled. It is dissolved in water and injected. It is also available in forms which can be smoked when combined with other drugs. It is not commonly taken per oral as this has resulted in very adverse effects including death. Cocaine when smoked, known as crack, has more quick and powerful effect.

It has the potential of affecting both the physical and mental health of a person. The users report periods of euphoria, increased physical and mental strength, less hunger, etc. This might also develop to restlessness, emotional instability, fear, tremor, twitching of certain muscles, hallucinations, and cocaine psychosis which might result in paranoia and maniac disorders.

The other effects may be in the form of dilated pupils, nausea, headache, vomiting, vertigo, etc. The serious effects of cocaine abuse are headaches and vertigo due to hypothermia, stroke, coma, decreased blood pressure, etc.

As mostly cocaine is snorted through nostrils, there are increased complaints of nasal bleed, nasal irritation, etc. The use of it damages the mucous membrane on the nasal septum which results in perforation in nasal septum.

Cocaine when smoked affects the lungs directly and increases the possibilities of chronic bronchitis and chronic coughing which might lead to shortness of breath and chest pain.

Medical properties of Cocaine:

Though cocaine is termed as a psychoactive drug, it was originally known for its medicinal value and as an effective drug for alcohol addiction, depression, tiredness. Its use as a local anesthetic in dentistry and throat surgeries were really tremendous. In the 1880s, a drink containing cocaine from the coca leaf and caffeine from kola nut was introduced. It was considered to be a great remedy for headaches, abdominal pain, and menstrual cramps.

Cocaine drug test can be easily used to identify cocaine abuse cocaine drug test kit is available exclusively to test just cocaine or you can try those drug screening kits that permit you to test for several other drugs of abuse and you might be able to Benzo drug screening, drug testing for amphetamine and lot more for up to 12 drugs in one single test strip!