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An Introduction to Testing for Drugs of Abuse An Introduction to Testing for Drugs of Abuse presents a distilled set of facts about the major drugs of abuse that are encountered in clinical practice. Individual chapters highlight the similarities in chemical structure, mechanism of action, and physiologic effects of each drug group, as well as their metabolism, therapeutic uses and potential for misuse or abuse. Special attention is given to the testing process, with an emphasis on interpretation of test results. Informative and entertaining cases appear at the end of each chapter. These cases illustrate the many situations in which drug testing is performed for medical, legal and employment purposes. Written in clear, concise language, this book provides practical guidance to pathologists, clinical chemists and technologists who are responsible for reporting and interpreting the results of drug analyses. It will be especially useful to residents and students who are learning about toxicology for the first time. Clinical practitioners – doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health care professionals – will find the information they need to order and interpret drug tests accurately.For more information watch the trailer here: https://players.brightcove.net/4931690914001/B1xdbomRDl_default/index.html?videoId=6310075842112

New designer drugs, access to databases, and changing availability of samples for analysis have changed the face of modern forensic toxicology in recent years. Forensic Toxicology: Drug Use and Misuse brings together the latest information direct from experts in each sub-field of the discipline providing a broad overview of current thinking and the most innovative approaches to case studies.The text begins with an in-depth discussion of pharmaco­epidemiology, including information on the value of nationwide databases in forensic toxicology. The use and abuse of drugs in driving, sport and the workplace are then discussed by industry experts who are conducting case work in their field. Not only are new drug groups discussed (NPS), but also their constantly changing impact on drug legislation. Synthetic cannabinoids, khat and mephodrone are discussed in detail. Following a section devoted to legislation and defence, readers will find comprehensive chapters covering sample choice reflecting the increasing use of hair and oral fluid, and also the less commonly used sweat and nail analysis. New and old case examples are compared and contrasted in the final part of the book, which will enable readers to understand how drugs impact on each other and how the interpretative outcome of a case are dependent on many aspects.From use of pharmaceutical drugs in a clinical setting, through smart drugs to new psychoactive drugs, this book documents the wide range in which drugs today are abused. This book will be an essential resource for postgraduate students in forensic toxicology, and for researchers in forensic toxicology laboratories who need the latest data and knowledge.

Critical Issues in Alcohol and Drugs of Abuse Testing, Second Edition, addresses the general principles and technological advances for measuring drugs and alcohol, along with the pitfalls of drugs of abuse testing. Many designer drugs, for example, are not routinely tested in drugs of abuse panels and may go undetected in a drug test. This updated edition is a must-have for clinical pathologists, toxicologists, clinicians, and medical review officers and regulators, bridging the gap between technical and clinical information. Topics of note include the monitoring of pain management drugs, bath salts, spices (synthetic marijuana), designer drugs and date rape drugs, and more. - Serves as a ready resource of information for alcohol and drug testing - Ideal resource for making decisions related to the monitoring and interpretation of results - Includes concise content for clinical laboratory scientists, toxicologists and clinicians

Detection of Drugs and Their Metabolites in Oral Fluid presents the analytical chemistry methods used for the detection and quantification of drugs and their metabolites in human oral fluid. The authors summarize the state of the science, including its strengths, weaknesses, unmet methodological needs, and cutting-edge trends. This volume covers the salient aspects of oral fluid drug testing, including specimen collection and handling, initial testing, point of collection testing (POCT), specimen validity testing (SVT), and confirmatory and proficiency testing. Analytes discussed include amphetamines, cannabinoids, cocaine, opiates, phencyclidine, cannabimimetics, and miscellaneous drugs. This practical guide helps users turn knowledge into practice, moving logically from an outline of the problem, to the evaluation of the appropriateness of oral fluid as a test medium, and finally to a consideration of detection methods and their validation and employment. - Compares different collection and testing systems to assist readers involved in clinical or forensic practice in selecting oral fluid as the matrix of choice - Provides a sound basis for the detection of drugs and their metabolites in oral fluid and the interpretation of both positive and negative - Places the need, or lack thereof, for specimen validity testing and confirmation testing in context with the purposes of oral fluid testing - Describes drugs and drug classes that can be tested, along with useful information on a patient/donor's drug status

Alcohol, Drugs, Genes and the Clinical Laboratory provides an overview and quick reference to genetic relationships and clinical laboratory information related to the serious public health issue of alcohol and drug abuse. Written in a clear and concise manner, this book discusses the necessary information for health and safety professionals working in public health to learn about complex issues quickly to better help their patients, employees, and others affected by alcohol and drug abuse. Alcohol, Drugs, Genes and the Clinical Laboratory covers the important aspects of drugs and alcohol abuse including genetic aspects along with laboratory methods for analysis of alcohol and abused drugs with emphasis on false positive test results. The book is helpful to healthcare professionals, such as pathologists who oversee alcohol and drug testing, emergency room physicians, family practice physicians who are first healthcare professionals who identify patients susceptible to drug and alcohol abuse, and psychiatrists involved with drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs. It will also be useful to safety professionals who have to assess individuals for workplace responsibilities, ranging from police and recruitment to occupational safety and occupational medicine and public health officials. - Features accessible language for healthcare and safety professionals who are not experts in laboratory procedures - Provides examples from clinical and everyday situations - Explains how to interpret laboratory results and the latest genetic factors regarding drug and alcohol abuse

This issue of Clinics in Laboratory Medicine, edited by Dr. Martin Bluth, will cover a wide array of topics related to drug testing and toxicology. Experts will discuss common drugs in analgesia, toxicology techniques, errors and interferences in toxicology testing, toxicology considerations in pain and addiction medicine, toxicology in reproductive endocrinology, forensic toxicology, and toxicology in emergency medicine, among others.

In the past century, numerous drugs have been developed and have helped us to get rid of various diseases. By the mature development of micro/nano technologies, precise, predictable, and well-controlled instruments and tools for drug testing and delivery have been suggested. Efficient drug development and effective drug delivery can benefit the quality of human lives. This book presents advances in drug testing and drug delivery. It covers a board spectrum of topics and state of the art research in this field. As such, the book is divided into three parts, comprised of nine chapters. The first part (Chapter One) introduces recent developments of drug testing technologies targeting for subjects who suffer from drug abuse and addiction. Specimens of oral fluid and hair are the focuses of this discussion. The second part (Chapters Four through Six) includes the advanced technologies for drug testing. In the development of a new drug, the process is lengthy and costly. There are a large amount of drug tests on living cell culture involved. Therefore, in order to decrease the development time and increase the prediction precision of the drug effectiveness, advanced technologies of 3D cell culture and microfluidics for drug testing are introduced. The third part (Chapters Seven to Nine) presents the novel drug delivery systems. Compared to conventional oral and parenteral administration, microneedle patches and polymer delivery carriers are novel drug delivery approaches. In-depth discussions of different delivery systems are included to achieve promising therapeutic effects. These novel and ongoing techniques provide new insights and possibilities for drug testing and drug delivery. The reader will gain a unique perspective on the challenges and emerging opportunities in this exciting field.

Hair Analysis in Clinical and Forensic Toxicology is an essential reference for toxicologists working with, and researching, hair analysis. The text presents a review of the most up-to-date analytical methods in toxicological hair analysis, along with state-of-the-art developments in the areas of hair physiology, sampling, and pre-treatments, as well as discussions of fundamental issues, applications, and results interpretation. Topics addressed include the diagnosis of chronic excessive alcohol drinking by means of ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE), the early detection of new psychoactive substances, including designer drugs, the development of novel approaches to screening tests based on mass spectrometry, and the detection of prenatal exposure to psychoactive substances from the analysis of newborn hair. - Unites an international team of leading experts to provide an update on the cutting-edge advances in the toxicological analysis of hair - Demonstrates toxicological techniques relating to a variety of scenarios and exposure types - Ideal resource for the further study of the psychoactive substances, drug-facilitated crimes, ecotoxicology, analytical toxicology, occupational toxicology, toxicity testing, and forensic toxicology - Includes detailed instructions for the collection, preparation, and handling of hair, and how to best interpret results

Novel Psychoactive Substances: Classification, Pharmacology and Toxicology provides readers with background on the classification, detection, supply and availability of novel psychoactive substances, otherwise known as'legal highs.'This book also covers individual classes of novel psychoactive substances that have recently emerged onto the recreational drug scene and provides an overview of the pharmacology of the substance followed by a discussion of the acute and chronic harm or toxicity associated with the substance. Written by international experts in the field, this multi-authored book is a valuable reference for scientists, clinicians, academics, and regulatory and law enforcement professionals. - Includes chapters written by international experts in the field. - Provides a comprehensive look at the classification, detection, availability and supply of novel psychoactive substances, in addition to the pharmacology and toxicology associated with the substance. - Offers a single source for all interested parties working in this area, including scientists, academics, clinicians, law enforcement and regulatory agencies. - Provides a full treatment of novel psychoactive substances that have recently emerged onto the recreational drug scene including mephedrone and the synthetic cannabinoid receptors in'spice'/'K2'.

In this authoritative book, Michael R. Frone takes a close look at what we know and don't know about workforce and workplace substance involvement. In doing so, he exposes the lack of evidence behind many popular myths regarding employee substance involvement. Frone's review covers research conducted over the past 30 years, and he analyzes methodological limitations and the tendency to'go beyond the data'when interpreting results. Given the need for evidence-based management and policy, this book will be a comprehensive resource for researchers and practitioners in management, occupational health, and addiction treatment and prevention.

This comprehensive text provides clear explanations of the effects of drugs on human performance and the need for workplace drug testing. Case studies of successful programmes are included as well as how different countries test for drugs.

Illicit drugs are an emerging class of environmental contaminants and mass spectrometry is the technique of choice for their analysis. This landmark reference discusses the analytical techniques used to detect illicit drugs in wastewater and surface water, details how to estimate the levels of contaminants in the environment, and explores the behavior, fate, and toxic effects of this new class of contaminants, now a ubiquitous presence in wastewater and surface water. The book details how an estimate of illicit drug consumption in a given population can be developed from an analysis of the residues of illicit drugs in wastewater. An important resource for analytical chemists, environmental researchers, forensic scientists, biologists, and toxicologists.

A majority of the Fortune 500 Companies implement some practice of workplace drug testing in their company policies. This practice was first initiated by President Ronald Reagan when he ordered federal agencies to drug test federal employees involved in sensitive positions as well as positions involving public safety. As a practicing toxicologist, Dr. Amitava Dasgupta is involved with the pre-employment drug testing at his own hospital and aptly shares his expertise in Beating Drug Tests and Defending Positive Results: A Toxicologist's Perspective, which covers all major issues concerning how people try to beat drug tests and defend positive test results. In each chapter, extensive references are cited so that readers can access more information on a particular topic that may interest them. The book will undoubtedly prove helpful to toxicologists, medical technologists, pathologists, human resources professionals and anyone interested in workplace drug testing.

In Handbook of Drug Monitoring Methods: Therapeutics and Drug Abuse, authors discuss the different analytical techniques used in today's practice of therapeutic drug monitoring and drugs of abuse as well as alcohol testing with relevant theory, mechanism, and in-depth scientific discussion on each topic. This volume is the perfect handbook and quick reference for any clinical laboratory, allowing clinicians to find the potential source of a false-positive or a false-negative result in the daily operation of a toxicology laboratory. At the same time, this book can also be used as a reference for medical technologists, supervisors, laboratory directors, clinical chemists, toxicologists, and pathologists to find in-depth cause of a potential interference and what tests can be ordered to circumvent such problem. The volume's first half focuses on various issues of therapeutic drug monitoring. Additional chapters cover analysis of heavy metals, alcohol testing, and issues of drugs of abuse testing. These chapters are written by experts in their relative sub-specialties and also by the editor. Comprehensive and timely, Handbook of Drug Monitoring Methods: Therapeutics and Drug Abuse is the ideal text for clinicians and researchers monitoring alcohol and drug testing and other important tasks of toxicological laboratory services.

Forensic Issues in Alcohol Testing analyzes the acute and chronic effects of alcohol intoxication and a variety of methods with which to measure alcohol concentration in blood, urine, and breath testing. It considers variations in acute impairment by detailing the disposition and fate of alcohol in the body and factors influencing absorption, distribution, and elimination. Specific chapters address difficulties in measuring and interpreting post-mortem alcohol concentrations, recent advances in biochemical testing, and the efficacy of tests as evaluators of dependence or potential for dependence. Containing more than 40 tables, the information is extensively referenced and supported by a range of studies.

Drug testing has become the norm in many workplaces. In order to get a job, potential employees are required to provide their urine for testing. Pissing on Demand examines this phenomenon along with the resulting rise of the anti-drug testing movement, or the'detox industry,'that works to beat these tests. Strategies include over-the-counter products like'body flushers'that sound innocent but are really designed to mask the presence of illegal drugs to kits advertised in pro-drug publications like High Times that make no bones about their real purpose. The first exposé of the detox industry in all its manifestations, this book is required reading for anyone concerned with social control, privacy, and workers'rights.

Does Ecstasy cause brain damage? Why is crack more addictive than cocaine? What questions regarding drugs are legal to ask in a job interview? When does marijuana possession carry a greater prison sentence than murder?Illegal Drugs is the first comprehensive reference to offer timely, pertinent information on every drug currently prohibited by law in the United States. It includes their histories, chemical properties and effects, medical uses and recreational abuses, and associated health problems, as well as addiction and treatment information.Additional survey chapters discuss general and historical information on illegal drug use, the effect of drugs on the brain, the war on drugs, drugs in the workplace, the economy and culture of illegal drugs, and information on thirty-three psychoactive drugs that are legal in the United States, from caffeine, alcohol and tobacco to betel nuts and kava kava.

Drug use in the workplace, its effect on performance and safety, and the role of workplace drug testing has received much attention in the popular press. But what do we actually know about this troubling issue? With an extensive and readable overview of the literature, the committee presents what we do know by examining the major issues: The extent and severity of drug use on and off the job. The strengths and weaknesses of methods for detecting drug use through standard drug tests. The effect of drug use on behavior, including the results of both laboratory and field studies that have examined work-related behavior and worker productivity. The effectiveness of interventions to deal with drug use, such as employee assistance programs, health promotion programs, and treatment programs for substance abuse. This volume will be of practical interest to human resource and employee assistance program managers, policymakers, and investigators.