10 Panel Drug Tests: What Substances Will You Be Tested For?

In a bid to achieve a completely drug-free workplace, many companies adopt the 10 panel drug test as part of their recruitment procedures, also as a retention strategy for staff. The increase in employee drug abuse and periodic workplace accidents have been a cause for concern. Findings have shown that employers that enforce drug testing as a prerequisite can significantly curb the use of marijuana, cocaine, barbiturates, alcohol, and other drugs, and also reduce unethical behaviours in the workplace.

Table Of Contents:

• What is the 10-Panel Drug Test?
• Drugs Tested With Ten Panel Test
• Detection Time and Limitations
• How is the Testing  Conducted?
• How Long to Wait for the Test Results?

10 Panel Drug Testing: What Is It?

It is a medical screening method used to identify ten different types of drugs present in the donor’s body. The 10 panel screen has become the most common non-DOT employment testing system due to the increasing prevalence of drug use.

Also, it is usually a urine screening (and in rare cases a saliva testing) administered to determine the existence of 10 types of drugs in the subject’s body. The sample can be collected anywhere; however, the analysis is typically performed in a laboratory. Tests results either come out negative or positive depending on the cut-off level of each drug type.

What Drugs Can Be Detected By 10-Panel Drug Test?

Just as the name suggests, a 10 panel urinalysis drug screen can identify ten different types of drugs in the system. It tests for five “street” drugs and five prescription drugs.

The Substances Detectable in a 10-Panel Drug Test are:

• Cocaine
• Marijuana
• Heroin
• Meth
• Phencyclidine
• Benzodiazepines
• Barbiturates
• Methadone
• Propoxyphene
• Methaqualone

10 Panel Drug Screen Exercise

When these substances are ingested, the body breaks them down to form metabolites, which can be passed out of the body through urine and other means. Since the 10 panel drug screen is mostly used to test urine samples, the presence of metabolites in urine is a positive indication of the substance used.

The obvious difference between the 10-panel drug test to the 6-panel drug test is the number of tests for illicit drugs used. Here are the drugs tested for in the ten panel drug test:

Cocaine

This addictive stimulant is also called coke or crack. It is derived from the coca plant. The different forms are:

• Cocaine
• Crack cocaine

Cannabis

The constituent, cannabinoid, contains a psychoactive substance called THC. The different forms include:

• Marijuana
• Synthetic cannabinoid
• Hashish

Opioids

Opiates are derived from the poppy plant and come in various forms:

• Opium
• Morphine
• Heroin
• Codeine

Amphetamines

These drugs belong to one of the most addictive and highly potent types of medication that alters the nervous system. The different types include:

• Methamphetamine
• Amphetamine
• Dexamphetamine with some other medications administered for ADHD and narcolepsy (Concerta, Adderall, DXM)

Phencyclidine

A highly potent narcotic that causes a detachment from reality, it is considered to be one of the most dangerous and potent drugs due to its ability to cause hallucinations and addiction. It is often called PCP or angel dust.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines, also called benzos, are a class of psychoactive drugs that are usually recommended for seizures, insomnia, anxiety, and other mental disorders. The different types of benzos include:

• Alprazolam (Xanax)
• Lorazepam (Ativan)
• Diazepam (Valium)
• Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)

Barbiturates

These classes of drugs, like amphetamines, affect the central nervous system and have strong sedative properties. They include:

• Phenobarbital
• Amobarbital
• Secobarbital
• Pentobarbital
• Tuinal

Other Substances Screened

• Methaqualone – sedative and hypnotic schedule I substance.
• Propoxyphene – narcotic pain reliever usually administered for mild to moderate pain, also a cough suppressant.
• Methadone – a powerful pain suppressant, also used in the treatment of addiction.

Detection Time and Limitations

The Factor That May Affect the Detection Time Includes:

• Potency
• Dosage
• Metabolism
• Type of sample

The following are the expected period of time the 10-panel urine test can detect each substance:

• Cocaine – can be detected within 4 days
• Marijuana – THC can be detected within 7 days on a single-use, while for the everyday user, it may be detectable between 10 to 30 days
• Opioids – detectable within 1 to 4 days
• Amphetamines – depending on the type, this substance may be detectable between 1 to 2 days
• Phencyclidine – PCP is detectable within 8 days of use
• Benzodiazepines – the short-acting benzos are detectable within 2 days of use, the intermediate has a window of 5 days, while the long-acting drugs have a 10 days window.
• Methadone – the medications have a space of 7 days
• Propoxyphene – is most cases within 6 hours to 2 days
• Methaqualone –  within 2-4 days

The 10-panel drug screen has limitations; for example, it may be unable to assess the state of impairment of ingested substances effectively. The substance or its metabolites must be present in the urine sample in a certain concentration to be valid.

How Is 10 Panel Screening Conducted?

When preparing for this test, there are a few things that one should be aware of. The individual should not drink water in excess before the test, as drinking too much water might alter the results.

Typically, you will be provided with a collection cup to urinate into. This procedure may be monitored by a technician of the same gender or may not. Once the sample is collected, the technician stores it for laboratory testing.

The Precautions May Include:

• Checking the temperature of the urine after collection
• Conducting site inspection before one can use
• Adding blue dye into the toilet bowl to alter the composition, making it unusable
• Turning off all sources of water

Can One Conduct This Test at Home?

Yes, it is possible to conduct this screening at home by using the 10 panel testing kits sold to the public. An individual can get near-instant results from these kits using, which require either a urine or saliva sample. Although, the best way is to find a professional testing facility in your area and get tested under the supervision of professionals.

How Long to Wait for Test Results?

The resulting stage of the test is where one gets to find out the full analysis of their urine test. The results may either be positive, negative, or inconclusive:

• A positive result means that one or more of the drugs was detected at a significant concentration.
• A negative result means that none of the drugs were detected during the testing.
• Inconclusive or invalid results simply mean that the test itself was conducted in less than perfect conditions, and the test should be repeated.

Typically, the results should be available in 1-2 business days. If the test comes out as positive, more confirmatory tests would be carried out to ascertain, and this would add up to 2-4 days.

Page Sources

1. SUNY Downstate Medical Center. Background Checks and Drug Testing. 2019. https://sls.downstate.edu/student_affairs/cbcdt.html
2. Medline Plus. Drug Testing. 2017. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/drug-testing/
3. Christopher S Carpenter, Workplace Drug Testing and Worker Drug Use, 2007,https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1955359/
4. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, Drug Testing, https://www.samhsa.gov/workplace/resources/drug-testing
5. Scott E. Hadland, Sharon Levy, OBJECTIVE TESTING – URINE AND OTHER DRUG TESTS, 2017, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4920965/
6. National Institute on Drug Abuse, Drug Testing, https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/drug-testing