A 12 panel drug test detects twelve of the most used and abused drugs, including amphetamines, propoxyphene, cocaine, barbiturates, methadone, benzodiazepines, marijuana (THC), opiates, hydrocodone, phencyclidine (PCP), Percocet/Oxycodone, and Ecstasy/MDMA. This panel is more comprehensive than the one required by the Department of Transportation for DOT drug testing, as well as standard 5 panel and 10 panel drug tests.
Employers, hiring managers, and human resource professionals who are not bound by DOT regulations can conduct non-DOT drug testing. Most of those who use a 12 panel drug test, do so because it is cost-effective, comprehensive, and detects most drugs that are commonly abused today.
Since a 12 panel drug test is not applied in a DOT drug testing program, any technique is applicable. For instance, mouth swab, urine, and hair follicle drug tests can all be used.
What does a 12 panel drug test detect?
All drugs included in a 12 panel drug test pose a significant risk of abuse. They can induce severe physical and psychological dependence.
Amphetamine
Most amphetamines come in pill form. Sometimes, illegal drug users crush them for snorting to create a quick and more intense “high” feeling. Amphetamine is commonly found in prescriptions of ADD and ADHD treatment medications like Ritalin and Adderall.
Although it is not as powerful as drugs like cocaine, amphetamine stimulates the central nervous system and suppresses appetite. Unlike cocaine that creates a spike in energy, amphetamines keep users alert, focused and awake. That explains why this popular, but lethal drug is commonly abused by college and high school students.
Amphetamine is a schedule II drug because it poses a high risk of abuse and capable of inducing severe physical and psychological dependence. Though it is illegal recreationally, doctors prescribe it for treatment of certain medical conditions.
Barbiturates
Barbiturates usually come in pill form. However, some users crush and snort the drug to achieve a more intense and quicker powerful high. Today, this drug is rarely prescribed, unless under rare circumstances, and is never used outside a hospital setting.
Barbiturates can depress the central nervous system. As such, they were commonly used to treat anxiety and seizure disorders until benzodiazepines replaced them. This strong narcotic has a powerful sedative effect that is not only dangerous on its own but can also be magnified significantly when used with other drugs.
Because of its high risk of abuse and the ability to induce severe physical and psychological dependence, the drug is classified under Schedule II.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines is a powerful and addictive medication usually prescribed to treat seizures and anxiety disorders.
As a central nervous system depressant, benzodiazepines can slow down the rate of respiration when combined with other drugs, causing death. The powerful narcotic drug can also develop intense physical dependence leading to severe withdrawal side effects.
It is a Schedule IV drug since it poses a high risk of abuse and has the potential to induce serious physical and psychological dependence.
Cocaine
For many years, Hollywood glamorized cocaine in various genres. It is commonly seen as a white powder that can is often smoked, snorted, dissolved or injected. Cocaine is extracted from the leaves of the coca plant using numerous toxic chemicals.
Cocaine is common among people who want to remain awake for a long time since it is a powerful stimulant. That explains why it is commonly used by overnight shift workers, drivers and in overnight parties. The drug also reduces appetite and can lead to rapid weight loss.
Since it is prone to abuse and can cause serious physical and psychological dependence, cocaine is a Schedule IV drug.
Ecstasy/MDMA
Ecstasy is also referred to as 3, 4- Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). It is a synthetic drug capable of altering perception and mood (conditions and surrounding objects awareness). Like hallucinogens and stimulants, MDMA creates a feeling of emotional warmth, distorted sensory, increased energy and distorted time perception.
Initially, MDMA was popular in nightclub parties and “raves.” Today, the dug affects many people who commonly refer to it as Molly or Ecstasy. It is available in capsule or tablet form, although some users take it in liquid form or snort in powder form. MDMA increases brain activity by altering chemicals such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine.
MDMA was introduced in the 1970s as a psychotherapy treatment drug. However, the drug was not approved by the U.S Food and Drug Administration for lack of clinical trial support. It is labeled as an illegal Schedule I drug with no medicinal use.
Hydrocodone
Hydrocodone is a strong semi-powerful opioid previously over-prescribed as a painkiller. Recently, the drug got the desired scrutiny. Hydrocodone is usually produced in capsules or tablets and taken orally. However, addicts crash and snort the drug for a more intense high feeling.
Hydrocodone reduces pain by binding pain receptors in the central nervous system, diminishing pain signals in return. The drug also generates the feeling of elation and euphoria capable of causing intense addiction.
It is a schedule II drug since it is prone to abuse and causes severe physical and psychological dependence.
Marijuana (THC)
Marijuana is falsely depicted as a safe, fun and an acceptable way to relax, entertain yourself, and be creative. However, the depictions are false. Most users smoke the drug causing a strong unique aroma. It can also be vaporized, further refined into oil, brewed in tea or eaten.
Although it is legalized in some states, marijuana poses a significant risk in the workplace since it impairs users, causes delayed reaction time, weakened coordination, and poor judgment.
Marijuana is classified as a Schedule I drug by the federal government with no medicinal use. But, some states have recognized it for medical uses and even allowed its legal prescription. Some of the states include Alaska, Washington, Massachusetts, California, Oregon, California, Nevada, and Colorado. Nonetheless, most employers test for marijuana in a 12 panel drug test.
Methadone
German doctors created methadone during the World War II. It was previously used to treat people suffering from extreme pain. Currently, it is used for treating addiction to narcotic painkillers or heroin. It is available in liquid, tablet or powder form.
Methadone is widely addictive like other opiates and creates dangerous side effects such as fainting, lightheadedness among many others. Because of its potential for abuse and a high chance of causing severe physical and psychological dependence, it is a Schedule II drug.
Methaqualone
Methaqualone is a strong sedative previously used for the same purpose as barbiturates but was rescheduled. The drug was popular between the 1970s and 1980s in clubs going by the name Quaalude. Today, methaqualone is relatively rare.
Methaqualone is a hypnotic and sedative medication in the quinazolinone class. When taken in small doses, the drug reduces blood pressure, breathing and pulse rates leading to deep relaxation. However, when taken in large amounts, the effects can be deadly.
It is a schedule I drug based on its potential for abuse and high chances of causing serious physical and psychological dependence.
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine is an extremely strong and damaging type of amphetamine, popularized in most TV shows including Breaking Bad. The drug’s street names include crystal meth or simply meth. Methamphetamine is available in crystal or powder form and mostly packaged in plastic Ziplock bags or in small glass vials. In America, it is difficult to create a standard of potency or ingredients because most meth is illegally produced in home laboratories.
Methamphetamine users usually experience a quick rush of euphoria, accompanied by a tremendous increase in focus and energy. Once the initial effects wear off, users need an increased dosage to experience the same feeling next time.
Meth’s potential for addiction is very high and dangerous. Its usage comes with a quickly growing tolerance for increased doses that produce a powerful, violent dependence, and a very high risk of overdose. Long term abuse of meth leads to the destruction of dopamine receptors making it impossible to feel pleasure.
Meth has a high risk of abuse and causes severe physical or psychological dependence. It is a Schedule II drug.
Opiate
Opiates are typically extracted from the opium poppy plant. Illegal drugs like heroin and pharmaceutical painkillers like hydrocodone and morphine are also manufactured from the opiate base.
Most opiate drugs are available in pills meant for swallowing. However, once users become addicted, they opt to crush them to be taken by injection, smoking or snorting. Opiates also include heroin, which is often smoked, snorted or injected.
America is in the midst of a national crisis with over 49,000 deaths from the opiate epidemic in 2017 and has devastated many lives. Apart from reducing severe pain, opiates create a powerful sense of euphoria and a rush of endorphins.
Since opiates are legitimately used for treating patients with severe injuries and in post-surgery, the Department of Drug Enforcement (DEA) schedules various types differently. For instance, heroin is a Schedule 11 drug and Oxycodone is also Schedule II.
Percocet/Oxycodone
Percocet is a pain-relieving drug that is frequently prescribed to treat moderate and severe pain. The drug is usually found alone or in combination with other painkillers in tablet form under many names including Oxycodone, Oxycontin, OxyIR, OxyFast, and Percodan.
Oxycodone is typically manufactured partly by chemical modification of opioids obtained from opium poppy plant. Although it is produced in labs, oxycodone affects users in ways similar to other illegal and legal opioids. The drug is capable of creating a powerful high, making it a potential drug for abuse.
Prolonged use of oxycodone increases the risk of developing dependence and tolerance. It is a Schedule II drug.
Phencyclidine
Phencyclidine is also referred to as PCP or angel dust. This drug is generally produced synthetically in illegal labs or stolen from veterinary supplies. It is available in powder form or as a translucent yellowish liquid. The drug is usually snorted, smoked or even injected.
PCP is legitimately used in the veterinary industry as a strong animal tranquilizer. Recreationally, it is used to induce superhuman strength, “out of body” experiences and hallucinations. Serious cases of phencyclidine use have depicted prolonged states of impairments, resembling effects of a schizophrenic episode.
Since phencyclidine is used for medical purposes, it is a Schedule II narcotic. However, it is illegal for human use and classified as a very dangerous drug with serious side effects. The rate of hospital visits related to PCP increased by above 400% between 2005 and 2011, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Propoxyphene
Propoxyphene is a narcotic cough suppressant and pain-reliever. It is weak when compared to other opiates such as codeine, hydrocodone, and morphine.
Side effects of propoxyphene include dizziness, drowsiness, lightheadedness, nausea, sedation, and vomiting. The drug can also reduce breathing, impair thinking and other physical abilities vital for operating machines or driving.
Propoxyphene is a Schedule IV drug because it has a high risk of abuse and can cause serious physical and psychological dependence.
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