The Role of the 5-Panel Test in Drug Testing and Screening

Prescription medicines and drugs are extensively misused by people, which is a pressing global concern. Drug misuse refers to when an individual takes a particular drug in amounts other than prescribed. The consequences of the misuse have detrimental effects on the human health. It can give rise to several diseases and disorders and, in some cases, can be life-threatening.

Commonly Misused Prescription Medicines and Drugs

The most extensively misused prescription medicines and drugs include:

-   Cannabis

-   Cocaine

-   Fentanyl

-   Hallucinogens

-   Narcotics

-   Depressants

-   Stimulants

Causes of Misuse

People generally misuse drugs and prescription medicines due to environmental stressors, societal influence, emotional disorders, mental problems, and personal dispositions. The most common reason why drugs are misused by people involves family problems. Many times individuals face situations that force them to opt for drug misuse. A history of addiction in the family is also a big reason behind it. Generally, when elders are addicted to drugs, the younger family members imitate their behavior which makes them an addict as well.

Mental health disorders are also a big reason behind the misuse of prescription medicines and drugs. These medicines and drugs give temporary pleasure to the patients which makes them addicted. This addiction continues to grow and ends up in substance misuse. People going through mental disorders such as ADHD, anxiety, and depression are more prone to drug misuse. In addition, sometimes, taking a highly addictive prescription medicine also results in developing its addiction. Once an individual gets addicted, they start increasing the dosage which results in its misuse.

What are its consequences?

The consequences of prescription medicine and drug misuse can range from mild to severe. They can range from mere disorders to life-threatening diseases. The most common disorders that result from the misuse include bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia. Substance misuse can also give rise to chronic diseases associated with the heart, brain, kidneys, liver, and lungs. If not stopped on time, drug addiction can be life-threatening.

Not only does it affect health, but it also has serious implications on social life as well. Drug addiction can adversely impact relationships and can make you want to isolate yourself. The long-term misuse of substances can also give rise to suicidal thoughts and make you want to end your life. It can also make you lose concentration and make visible mistakes in the tasks assigned to you. This is the reason why employers in many big companies conduct a 5-panel Test before hiring employees.

What is a 5-panel Test?

A 5-panel Test is a form of drug testing that is extensively used in government agencies and big companies to test employees for substance misuse. Many times individuals are also tested for drugs by a court order DNA test. The most common reason behind conducting this test is to ensure that the workplace has no drug-addicted employees. This is because an addicted employee could potentially be the reason for the financial and productive downfall of a firm. The Department of Transportation is where a 5-panel test is mostly required before hiring. However, as this test is not extensive, it is not acceptable for sectors such as healthcare or law enforcement. A 5-panel Test mainly assesses the five most commonly misused types of drugs, which include:

-   Amphetamines

-   Phencyclidine

-   Cocaine

-   Opiates

-   Marijuana

The process uses urine as the basic sample for drug testing. However, in many cases, saliva, blood, or sweat can also be used. The results of the test do not demonstrate the presence of alcohol. However, many diagnostic centers provide extra services for alcohol detection.

Why is a 5-Panel Test Conducted?

A 5-panel test plays an important role in drug testing and screening. It is used across various departments to pinpoint drug addicts before hiring. The most common reason behind the conduction of this test is to ensure a drug-free workplace. The employees who are addicted to drugs could tarnish the goodwill of the business by poor performance. A drug test is therefore conducted to ensure a clean workforce. Moreover, it is also conducted legal proceedings for example in child custody cases. A court order DNA test is done for drug testing, which ensures that the individual asking for a child’s custody is not an addict.

The sports and athletic industry also requires a 5-panel test for most athletes to ensure unbiased competition. Many times when players from a team are addicted to substance use, there is a higher prospect of losing. This is why to ensure fair play; the sports industry requires the players to undergo drug testing. In addition, 5-panel testing is also extensively used for placement in the transportation industry to ensure safety. It is mostly required for jobs that require greater safety such as pilots and drivers. In cases of accidents, a court order DNA test is also conducted to look for the misuse of drugs.

Results of a 5-panel Test

The results of a 5-panel Test can be:

-   Negative: This means the individual is not an addict

-   Positive: This means that the individual is addicted to at least one of the drugs.

-   Invalid: This means the test was not conducted accurately