| Drug testing is different from the drug screening | | | | a positive test result for a drug abuse suspect. |
| test. A drug screening test is a rapid diagnostic | | | | Sensitivity test tracks the efficacy of drug |
| test, which gives qualitative results regarding the | | | | treatments based on the impact on functioning of |
| presence or absence of the drug. These tests | | | | different body organs. It can be used as a tool to |
| can even detect nicotine, alcohol, caffeine and | | | | help in determining whether a treatment with a |
| many more commonly used drugs. There is no | | | | particular drug should be continued, modified or |
| need to fast or to follow any special dietary | | | | stopped. It also checks for any subtle changes in |
| restrictions before going for any drug screening | | | | the vision, which is resulted from any therapy. |
| test. | | | | Specificity |
| Immunoassay and chromatography | | | | Probability of a negative result in the drug test for |
| Immunoassays are used world wide for the rapid | | | | any suspect who does not abuse drugs is |
| screening of drugs and recommended as useful | | | | referred as specificity. Each testing method has |
| tool for screening. Immunoassays works on the | | | | sensitivity, specificity, reproducibility and reliability |
| principle of antigen-antibody interaction and | | | | of results for regulatory or approval results. The |
| Chromatography is based on subjective judgment | | | | accuracy of drug testing reflects both chemical |
| of a technician. | | | | factors, which influences test results such as |
| The analysis of confirmation with conclusive | | | | sensitivity and specificity and as well as |
| methods (GC-MS or chromatography) is inevitable | | | | pharmacological considerations like drug dose, |
| for the valid identification of substance, the | | | | times of drug use etc. |
| detection of the congeners, and the precise | | | | For measuring the level of drugs in the body the |
| determination of the concentrations in the body | | | | immunoassay and chromatography can be |
| liquids. Though these are highly valuable tools for | | | | adapted. Screening assays are less expensive and |
| testing illicit drugs, there is a real risk of | | | | less labor intensive than sensitivity and specificity. |
| false-positive and false-negative findings when | | | | The above information helps the individuals who |
| tests are used by non-professionals. | | | | want to go for the simple and easy process of |
| Sensitivity | | | | drug screening test. |
| Sensitivity in drug testing means the probability of | | | | |