Awareness

Awareness Blog About Drug Screening

At DrugScreens.com, we believe that informed choices lead to better outcomes. Whether you're a first-time buyer or a compliance-focused employer, understanding the essentials of drug testing is critical. Our awareness blog about drug screening is your go-to resource for learning more about our standards, our story, and the science behind our solutions.

✅ CLIA-Waived & FDA 510(k) Cleared Products

We’re committed to accuracy, safety, and compliance. That’s why we only offer CLIA-waived drug tests that meet the FDA 510(k) clearance requirements. These designations ensure that our products are trusted for professional use and meet rigorous federal standards for reliability and performance.

  • CLIA-waived: Designed for use in non-laboratory settings with low risk of error
  • FDA 510(k): Reviewed and cleared by the FDA for safety and effectiveness

🧬 Our Story

DrugScreens.com was founded with a simple goal: make drug testing accessible, reliable, and straightforward for everyone—from individuals and parents to Fortune 500 companies. With decades of experience and a customer-first mindset, we’re proud to be a trusted partner in workplace safety, personal health, and regulatory compliance.

📖 Essential Terminology Guide

Drug testing can come with a lot of jargon. Here are a few key terms to know:

  • CLIA-waived: Tests approved for use outside of traditional labs
  • 510(k): FDA pathway that certifies product safety and performance
  • Immunoassay: A common screening method for drug presence
  • GC/MS: A confirmation test that provides highly accurate results
  • Chain of Custody: Legal documentation trail for test samples

Explore our full glossary for more terms and definitions.

🧪 Specimens Used

We offer a variety of test types to meet your needs:

  • Urine: Most common and widely accepted for workplace testing
  • Saliva (Oral Fluid): Non-invasive, ideal for recent-use detection
  • Hair: Long detection window, useful for long-term screening
  • Sweat or Blood (limited use): Specialized circumstances

⚖️ Cut-Off Levels & Detection Periods

Understanding what a test can (and cannot) detect is crucial. Each drug and test type has its own cut-off level—the concentration at which a result is considered positive—and detection window, or how long a substance can be identified after use.

This matrix summarizes substances commonly screened using urine, oral fluid, and hair. Use this reference to determine the right panel and specimen for your compliance or workplace testing needs.

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Drug Abbrev. Urine Oral Fluid Hair (pg/mg)
Alcohol ETOH - > 0.02% -
Amphetamine AMP 1000 / 300 500 500
Barbiturates BAR 300 300 -
Bath Salts BSA - 1000 -
Benzodiazepines BZO 300 50 TBD
Buprenorphine BUP 10 10 TBD
Clonazepam CLZP - 300 -
Cocaine COC 300 50 500
Cotinine COT 200* 30 -
Ecstasy (MDMA) MDMA 500 100 -
Ethyl Glucuronide ETG - - -
Fentanyl FEN - 200 TBD
Gabapentin GAB - - -
Hydrocodone HYD - - -
Ketamine KET - 1000 -
Kratom KRA 50** 300 100***
Marijuana (THC) THC 1000 / 500 7525*** 500
Methamphetamine MAMP 300 500 TBD
Methadone MTD - 75 -
Methadone Metabolite EDDP - - -
Methaqualone MQL - 300 -
6-Monoacetylmorphine 6MAM - 10 -
Opiates / Morphine OPI / MOR 2000 / 300 50 200
Oxycodone OXY 100 50 TBD
Phencyclidine (PCP) PCP 25 10 300
Propoxyphene PPX 300 - -
Synthetic Cannabinoids (K2) K2 - 50 -
Tramadol TRA - 200 -
Tricyclic Antidepressants TCA 1000 - -

* Cotinine values vary by lab 
** Kratom values are not standardized 
*** Hair and oral fluid thresholds are based on select lab data 
TBD = To Be Determined


Values may vary by test type and individual metabolism.

📦 Shipping & Returns Policy

We offer fast, discreet shipping nationwide. Most orders ship within 24 hours, and tracking is always provided.

Need to return an item? No problem. We accept returns on unopened, unused products within 30 days of purchase. Review our full Shipping & Returns Policy for details.

Knowledge is power—especially when it comes to health and safety.
Still have questions? Contact our support team or explore our Help Center.