ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the limitations of diagnostic testing for drugs. Diagnostic laboratory investigations for drugs of misuse have a number of functions, including diagnosis, monitoring the impact of treatment, monitoring compliance with treatment in coerced treatment systems, such as those involving court-enforced drug orders, and motivational reinforcement of people’s progress. The chapter explains the varying time windows of detection of sampling types and substances. The tests that are available can detect substances that are used or misused in urine, blood, sweat, oral fluid and hair. The window of detection varies with the substance, the method of its use, and the sampling medium. The use of urine samples for testing for substances raises issues of privacy and dignity, as collecting an observed urine sample is the only way to ensure absolutely that the sample is unadulterated and from the particular patient.
