An important date is coming up for employers, hiring managers, and HR professionals. The current version of the Federal Drug Testing Custody and Control (CFF) forms expires June 30, 2018. Simply put, this means that neither DOT-regulated employers nor their service agents (labs, collectors or Medical Review Officers) can use the “old” CCF form for Read more »
7 Most Prescribed Narcotic Drugs in the World
Over the last few years, there has been a significant rise in prescription drug abuse. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), approximately 52 million people have used prescription drugs for nonmedical purposes at least once in their life. Of the total estimated number of people who’ve reportedly abused prescription drugs, 20% are youths Read more »
Is Addiction a Disease or a Choice?
The National Institutes of Health, taking into account decades of cellular, molecular, and biochemical research, understands addiction as a disease of the brain. And yet, family members and co-workers impacted by an addicted person may believe drug use is the user’s choice. The drug user may think so too. Let’s carefully consider both positions. The impact of drugs on your Read more »
6 Ways Drug Use Hurts the Construction Industry
In the US, drug use is a pervasive problem, and despite its inherent danger and vital role in economic development, the construction industry is one of the hardest hit industries by substance abuse. A report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) on the 2008 and 2012 surveys conducted with the aim of Read more »
The Dangers of Opioid Prescriptions
It’s well known that in the United States we are currently undergoing an epidemic of unprecedented proportions when it comes opioid abuse. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have even attributed the a major drop in life expectancy for Americans in large part to the opioid crisis, from 78.9 to 78.8. President Donald Read more »
5 Historical Figures Who Struggled With Drug Addiction
Over the past few decades, impressive advancements have been made in the fields of medicine and healthcare which have provided both diagnostic tests and treatment options for diseases which previously had none. Unfortunately, a strong stigma still exists around mental health, addiction, and psychiatric conditions. One of the reasons for this is that people don’t realize Read more »
5 Television Shows that Glamorize Drug Use
The way Hollywood portrays alcoholics and drug addicts on television and in the movies is often one that glamorizes the lifestyle as one of excitement—with just a hint of danger. Even drug dealers can be shown in a sympathetic light, despite the fact that millions of people’s lives are destroyed by the actions of a few. Television is a constant presence Read more »
How Long After Use Can Common Drugs Be Identified by Drug Testing?
All drugs are not created equal. While that is a seemingly obvious statement, the differences also extend to how long after the last use each drug is detectable by modern testing methods. Urine, oral fluids, and hair are commonly used as test specimens to screen for common drugs such as alcohol, marijuana, opiates/opioids, cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamines, methaqualones, MDMA Read more »