12 Panel Drug Screen – UK Workplace Standard

A 12 drug panel test is a quick way to check for drugs in your body. This test contains 12 different test strips all on one device. Each strip looks for a different type of drug in your urine sample.

The test is very popular with employers. They use it to make sure their workers are not taking illegal drugs. It is also used by doctors and treatment centres.

How the Test Strips Work

The test device has 12 separate strips built into it. Each strip is designed to find one specific drug. When you dip the device into a urine sample, all 12 strips work at the same time.

Each strip has what we call a “cut-off level”. This is the smallest amount the strip can detect. If there is less drug than this level, the strip will show negative. If there is more, it will show positive.

The test gives results very quickly. You usually know the answer in just a few minutes. This makes it very useful for quick screening.

Reading the Test Results

Each of the 12 strips uses colours to show results. Every strip will either be positive or negative. A positive result means the drug was found above the cut-off level. A negative result means it was not found or was below the cut-off.

The cut-off levels are set for good reasons. They help avoid false positive results. They also make sure the test only finds people who have actually used drugs, not just been around them.

You can see all 12 results at once. This makes it easy to check for many drugs quickly.

What Drugs Does the Test Check For?

This 12 drug panel test looks for these substances:

Amphetamines (Speed) – These are stimulant drugs that make people feel more alert and energetic. The test can detect them if there’s 1,000 ng/mL or more in your urine. They stay in your system for 2 to 6 days after use.

Buprenorphine (Subutex) – This is a medication used to treat opioid addiction. It’s also sometimes misused. The cut-off level is 10 ng/mL, and it can be detected for 3 to 6 days.

Benzodiazepines (Roofies, Benzos) – These are prescription medicines for anxiety and sleep problems. Some people call them “roofies” when they’re misused. The test detects them at 300 ng/mL or higher. They show up for 2 to 14 days.

Cannabis (Marijuana) – This is one of the most commonly tested drugs. The cut-off is 50 ng/mL. Cannabis can stay in your system for 2 to 30 days, depending on how often you use it.

Cocaine (Coke, Crack) – This powerful stimulant drug is detected at 300 ng/mL. It typically shows up in tests for 2 to 5 days after use.

EDDP (Methadone) – This tests for methadone, which is used to treat heroin addiction. The cut-off level is 300 ng/mL, and it can be detected for 2 to 8 days.

MDMA (Ecstasy) – Also known as ecstasy or molly, this party drug is detected at 500 ng/mL. It stays in your system for 2 to 6 days.

Methadone (Meth, Dolly, Red Rock) – This opioid medication is used for addiction treatment. The test detects it at 300 ng/mL for 2 to 8 days.

Methamphetamines (Meth) – These powerful stimulants are detected at 500 ng/mL. They can be found in your system for 2 to 6 days.

Opiates (Heroin, Smack) – This includes heroin and other opium-based drugs. The cut-off is 2,000 ng/mL, and detection time is 2 to 6 days.

Oxycodone (Oxy) – This prescription painkiller is detected at 100 ng/mL. It shows up in tests for 2 to 4 days.

Phencyclidine (Angel Dust) – Also called PCP or angel dust, this drug has a low cut-off of 25 ng/mL. It can be detected for 3 to 5 days.

Tricyclic Anti-Depressants (Vivactil) – These are older types of antidepressant medicines. The test detects them at 1,000 ng/mL for 2 to 5 days.

When This Test is Used

Workplaces use this test a lot. They might test you before you start a job. They might also test you during your time at work. Some jobs need this because safety is very important.

The test is also used in treatment programmes. Doctors use it to check if patients are taking their medicine correctly. They also use it to see if patients are staying away from illegal drugs.

Sports teams sometimes use these tests too. They want to make sure athletes are not taking drugs that could help them perform better unfairly.

How the 12 Strips Make Testing Better

Having 12 strips on one test device is very helpful. It means you can check for many drugs with just one urine sample. This saves time and money.

Each strip works on its own. So even if one strip does not work properly, the other 11 strips will still give good results. This makes the test more reliable.

The strips are all clearly marked. This makes it easy to see which drug each strip is testing for. There is less chance of making mistakes when reading the results.

How Accurate Are the Test Strips?

The test strips are quite good at finding drugs. But they are not perfect. Sometimes they might miss drugs that are there. Sometimes they might show drugs that are not really there.

This is why positive results often need more testing. A lab will do a more detailed test to make sure the first result was right.

The strips work best when they are used properly. The person taking the test should follow all the instructions carefully. The urine sample should be fresh and at the right temperature.

What Affects the Test Strips?

Many things can change how well the strips work. The age of the test device matters. Old strips might not work as well as new ones.

The temperature of the urine sample is important too. If it is too hot or too cold, the strips might not work properly.

Some medicines can affect the strips. They might make the strips show positive results even when no illegal drugs are present. This is why it is important to tell people about any medicine you take.

Storing the Test Device

The test device with its 12 strips needs to be stored properly. It should be kept in a cool, dry place. Heat and moisture can damage the strips.

The device should stay in its sealed package until it is used. Opening the package too early can make the strips less accurate.

Most test devices have an expiry date. Using them after this date might give wrong results. Always check the date before using the test.

Understanding Your Results

When all 12 strips have been tested, you will have 12 different results. Each result is separate from the others. You might be positive for one drug but negative for all the others.

The person reading the test should be trained to understand the results properly. They will know what each strip should look like when it is positive or negative.

If any of the 12 strips show positive, you will need to talk about this result. There might be a good reason for it, like taking prescription medicine.

Remember that this test is just a tool. It helps keep workplaces and communities safe. Understanding how the 12 strips work can help you feel more comfortable if you need to take the test.

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