Laboratory Testing for Substance Use Disorders

Abstract

Clinicians practicing in the field of substance use disorders should be familiar with the laboratory monitoring associated with this patient population. Laboratory monitoring may include objective tests designed to assess a medication’s toxicity, or a screening test to assess whether a patient has used a particular substance. There are nuances associated with interpreting these screening tests. A basic understanding of how various substances are metabolized, how long they are detected in the body, what medications or substances may interfere with proper identification, and how to identify an adulterated sample is necessary for proper interpretation. This chapter will guide the reader through these challenges by discussing the fundamentals of laboratory testing, and drug-specific information as it relates to opioids, alcohol, benzodiazepines, marijuana, synthetic cannabinoids, stimulants, dissociatives, and hallucinogens.