Drugs of abuse testing in a psychiatric outpatient service

Screening for drugs of abuse in a psychiatric outpatient population plays a n important role in assessing abstinence from drug use, relapse, and in eva luating the patient during the course of treatment. The advantages and limi tations of testing urine or other sample matrices such as hair or sweat mus t be understood. Interpretation of test results is based on the pharmokinet ics of the drug as well as assay sensitivity, specifity and the cut-offs us ed. All positive test results need confirmation testing to verify true posi tivity, especially when involuntary suspension from a treatment program is being considered.