While many people may have firsthand experience with drug testing programs, there are still frequently asked questions about drug testing which should be answered for a clear understanding of the issue to be gained. One of the most frequently asked questions regarding drug testing concerns which illicit substances are the most commonly abused. This is an important question because parents and employers must know which drugs they should target with their testing programs. The most commonly abused drugs by teenagers and young adults are marijuana, cocaine, and prescription drugs like Vicodin and Xanax. Adults commonly abuse cocaine, methamphetamines, and opiate based drugs like heroin and morphine. Testing options for these drugs vary; from single drug test kits to 5 panel drug testing kit which can detect traces of the 5 most regularly abused substances.

Another FAQ about drug testing is based on the issue of false positives. Understandably, parents or employers who choose to utilize drug testing kits want to be assured that the results are as accurate as possible. Fortunately, instances of false positives have been significantly reduced as the technology of drug testing continues to be refined. Today’s drug testing kits guarantee accuracy rates of up to 99%, a success rate which is due to their ability to distinguish between actual illicit substances and similar substances which may be ingested through normal eating, dietary supplements, or vitamins.

One frequently asked question regarding drug testing is whether or not drug testing programs are truly a deterrent to drug abuse. Employers need to be sure that their cost outlays are recouped by the tangible benefits of drug testing, while parents want to know that their efforts are really making a difference in their children’s lives. Based on the enormous amount of data collected by employment drug testing programs during the last 20 years, drug testing is an extremely effective option for preventing addiction. Randomly administered drug tests give no opportunity for someone to covertly use drugs, because they never know when they will be tested next. At home drug testing provides children with a reward system, in which negative tests result in positive benefits while negative tests result in punishment. Simply put, if a person knows that they will be tested for drugs sometime in the near future, the chances that they will choose to use illegal drugs is tremendously reduced. Finding the answers to frequently asked questions about drug testing will arm you with the knowledge you need to protect you household or workplace from the dangers of drug abuse.