The 18 panel drug test is a sophisticated screening method for detecting the presence of multiple substances in a person’s body. Unlike other drug tests that target a limited number of drugs, this drug screen covers an extensive range of substances.
Which substances can this drug test detect? How accurate is it? How does it fare when compared to another drug testing method? Read on to find out.
What does an 18 panel drug test test for?
The 18 panel drug screen tests for the following substances:
Amphetamine
AMP is a very popular stimulant among some men due to its aphrodisiac quality. Studies show that it increases sexual desire in men three times more than in women’s. Unfortunately, amphetamine users develop a tolerance for it. As a result, most users become addicted to it.
Barbiturates
Did you know that 405,000 Americans aged 12 and above use barbiturates, and almost 8% of these users are addicted to them? Doctors prescribe barbiturates for treating headaches, insomnia, epilepsy, and other illnesses. And since one of the effects of this drug is euphoria, it is often misused and abused.
Benzodiazepines
Benzos are central nervous system depressants. Doctors typically prescribe them for anxiety, epilepsy, and insomnia. But like other illicit substances, Benzos can be addictive when misused.
Buprenorphine
Buprenorphine is a narcotic analgesic that users can misuse and abuse due to its sleep-inducing and pain-relieving qualities. Medical professionals use it in Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) to manage opioid addiction.
Cocaine
Coke is a powerful, euphoria-producing stimulant drug with high addictive potential. Because pure cocaine is expensive, some illegal drug dealers lace it with fentanyl, which makes it more fatal.
Ecstasy
Also known as MDMA, ecstasy heightens a person’s awareness, alters moods, and distorts perception and sense of time. Additionally, it enhances tactile experiences.
Fentanyl
Fentanyl is an opioid painkiller usually prescribed for severe pain after surgery. It is 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more powerful than heroin, so even a tiny amount can kill.
Marijuana
Marijuana is an illicit drug derived from the Cannabis plant. Users can smoke, vaporize, or even eat the edible, producing a high that can range from mild relaxation to intense euphoria. Long-term use of marijuana may lead to physical dependence, addiction, and other health issues.
Methadone
Methadone is an opioid doctors prescribe to treat pain, addiction, and withdrawal symptoms from other opioids. However, using Methadone long-term can lead to physical dependence, tolerance, and even overdose if not taken at prescribed doses.
Methamphetamine
Meth is an illicit drug that produces intense euphoric effects. It is highly addictive and can lead to various physical and mental health problems, including increased heart rate and blood pressure, paranoia, aggression, anxiety, memory loss, and psychosis. Meth use can cause long-term damage to the brain due to its toxic chemical structure, making it one of the most dangerous drugs available today.
Opiates
Opiates are drugs derived from the opium poppy plant and used to produce powerful pain-relieving effects. They are highly addictive, with severe physical and mental health risks associated with their use. Opiates can be taken orally, injected, or smoked. They are linked to overdoses, addiction, and death.
Oxycodone
Oxycodone is an opioid drug that can produce a feeling of euphoria and relaxation. Aside from having a high potential for addiction, Oxycodone also carries significant health risks, including liver damage, respiratory depression, and coma. Misusing this illicit drug can lead to severe physical and mental health consequences.
Phencyclidine
Phencyclidine, commonly known as PCP or Angel Dust, is an illicit drug with strong hallucinogenic effects. It can cause feelings of extreme euphoria and disassociation from reality. Long-term use of PCP can lead to addiction and serious physical and psychological health issues, including paranoia, aggression, depression, memory loss, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts.
Ethyl Glucuronide
EtG detects the presence of alcohol in a person’s system for up to 80 hours after consumption. Authorities use it for legal purposes such as workplace testing and court-ordered monitoring programs.
Nortriptyline
Nortriptyline is an older antidepressant medication classified as a tricyclic antidepressant. It has several adverse side effects, including drowsiness and dizziness, when taken in large doses or without a doctor’s supervision. Abuse of this drug can lead to addiction, overdose, and even death.
Tramadol
Tramadol is an illicit opioid drug used to treat moderate to severe pain. It has a high potential for abuse and addiction due to its euphoric effects when taken in higher doses. Tramadol can cause serious side effects such as drowsiness, nausea, confusion, and respiratory depression if not used properly. Long-term use can lead to physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation.
Ketamine
Ketamine is an illicit drug commonly used as a general anesthetic for humans and animals. It has dissociative properties, meaning it can cause users to feel disconnected from their environment or themselves. Ketamine can also produce hallucinations, sensory distortions, confusion, and impaired motor skills. Short-term effects may last up to 24 hours, but long-term use can lead to serious health problems, including bladder damage and depression.
Is this better than the 18 panel hair follicle drug test?
Regarding speed, the 18 panel drug screen is better than its hair follicle counterpart. You can get the results in less than 10 minutes, as against five days to a week with hair drug testing.
As for convenience, the 18 panel urine drug test wins, hand down. It’s handy and lightweight so you can carry it everywhere. Compare it with the hair follicle drug test, which requires a laboratory and testing equipment.
There’s also a considerable difference between their costs. A urine drug test only costs a few dollars, but a hair follicle drug test costs a hundred dollars and more.
The accuracy of the results will depend on how well you administer the screen. You must perform the test in a clean environment and carefully follow the instructions attached to the product. Also, consider the quality of the drug screen.
If you want to ensure you’re only getting the highest quality drug tests, check out the Ovus Medical Store. Our products are 99% accurate, CLIA-waived, and FDA-approved – at affordable prices.