The Basics Of The 10 Panel Drug Test

Drug testing is used for a tremendous range of reasons, from pre-employment screening to verification during insurance claims to divorce settlements and beyond. But many don’t realize that there are a huge number of different drug test types out there.

We’re not just talking about blood, urine, hair, or saliva tests, either. Understanding basic principles of things like the 10 panel drug test is important as well. But what is a 10-panel drug test? It’s not that hard to understand more about it if you take just a few minutes.

The 10 in the ’10 panel’ refers to nothing more than the number of illegal drugs that are tested for during the drug screening. These include:

  • Marijuana
  • Cocaine
  • Amphetamines including methamphetamine
  • Opiates including heroin, morphine, and codeine
  • PCP
  • Benzodiazepines like Xanax
  • Methadone
  • Barbiturates
  • Methaqualone, also known as Quaaludes
  • Propoxyphene

There are several specific drugs that fall under the broader definition of the various options above, but in the end the 10 panel drug test looks at a very comprehensive amount of potential drugs that users may be abusing.

However, the 10 panel drug test isn’t as commonly used as the 5 panel option. The primary reason is cost – the more drugs that are tested for, the more the cost of each screening will be. But in order to ensure that a subject is entirely clean, these more robust tests are often utilized on a regular basis by organizations, employers, and even individuals who need to show sobriety before receiving compensation or employment.

No matter the specific reason that you’re taking a drug test, being able to pass it is important. The 10 panel drug screening test looks at all of the most common drugs abused throughout the world today, and as such it’s one of the most robust and in-depth testing options out there.

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Meet The Author: Joe Reilly

Joe Reilly has spent many years in the workplace drug testing field, currently serving as president of National Drug Screening. He brings his knowledge to offer consulting, training, and expert witness services to employers, labs, specimen collectors, TPAs, and others involved in workplace drug testing

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