5 Panel Drug Test: Everything You Need To Know

A drug test looks for the presence of either legal or illicit drugs in hair or urine. A drug test can be used for a few purposes, the most popular being pre-employment screening. One of the most important aspects of Department of Transportation (DOT) compliance is making sure that staff is drug-free. A five-panel drug test is the typical screening procedure used by DOT-regulated businesses.

The substances that are tested for the most frequently include PCP, amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, and opioids. Employers can utilize a 5-panel drug test as a means of identifying illegal or prescribed drugs. Continue reading to find out what is screened for, how the test operates, and what drug testing legislation employers and applicants should be aware of.

Table of Contents

What is a 5-panel Drug Test?

The drug screening method used by employers to identify five different categories of banned drugs is the 5-panel drug test. The test can detect prescription medicines and illicit substances that are often misused. Urine is frequently analyzed. Other samples that might be used include perspiration, hair follicles, and blood.

Pre-employment and other circumstances require a DOT 5-panel drug test. This exam focuses on the five most hazardous drug classes that pose a threat to worker safety and raise risks for companies. More thorough screening is frequently needed in other, more strictly regulated sectors. This includes law enforcement or healthcare. However, because of its accuracy, cost, and simplicity, the 5-panel drug test is the ideal option for frequent workplace drug testing for most companies.

How is a 5-panel Drug Test done?

A 5-panel drug test determines if a person’s urine contains drug metabolites. The compounds that the body produces during the metabolism of a particular medicine are known as metabolites. The immunoassay is the initial stage in obtaining test results.

A technician can quickly identify drug metabolites in a urine sample using test strips with antibodies implanted in them.
The lab will next do a more sensitive gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) test to see whether any metabolites are present. This may support or refute the favorable outcome.
The Medical Review Officer (MRO) will then contact the person to determine whether a medically plausible explanation is available.

What shows up on a 5-panel drug test?

A 5-panel drug test finds metabolites, or the compounds left over after your body breaks down specific things like food or narcotics, in a person’s system. Typically, they check for metabolites connected to the following categories of drugs:

Amphetamines: Ritalin, crystal meth, ecstasy
Phencyclidine, popularly known as angel dust or PCP
Crack cocaine and cocaine.
Opiates, including hydrocodone, oxycodone, and heroin
Cannabis

While laboratories may provide an add-on to incorporate alcohol detection, DOT 5-panel tests do not screen for alcohol. Employers in jurisdictions where marijuana is legalized or decriminalized should be aware of any local restrictions governing marijuana testing before utilizing a 5-panel drug test, especially since laws are constantly changing.

How far back can you go with a 5-Panel Drug Test?

To detect metabolites and chemical byproducts left in the body after the body breaks down some drugs, the 5-panel drug test looks for them. Every medication has a half-life during which its metabolites can be detected. The medicine and test type both affect how long it takes to discover an issue. In contrast to saliva tests, which can only identify THC metabolites for a maximum of 24 hours, hair follicle tests can detect prior THC usage for up to 90 days.

The metabolic detection timescale might also be impacted by a person’s drug use frequency and dosage. A few days may pass before a marijuana smoker who uses it sporadically has any detectable THC, whereas a daily user may have a 30-day detection window.

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Conclusion

Using a 5-panel drug test as part of your company’s drug testing policy helps reduce risk, boost output, and ensure worker safety. In the process, working with a trustworthy employment screening provider like Choice DNA can assist in making sure your business complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Choice DNA offers a wide range of easy, customizable, and thorough drug test alternatives covering every screening facet. In addition to fostering a safer workplace and reducing risk, drug testing may assist companies in making well-informed recruiting decisions. Working together with a reputable source of employment screening may expedite the background check procedure in its entirety.