Reasons for drug testing Flashcards
amphetamine
methamphetamine
may be injected, smoked, snorted, or consumed orally
half life 8-13 hours
four day detection period
Amphetamine is legal for..
narcolepsy, ADHD, Parkinson’s, Depression, and weight reduction
Methamphetamine
psychostimulant; increase focus, raise the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain which can induce euphoria
distorted sensations
Side effects of methamphetamine
speeds up metabolism and can put a great deal of stress on the heart
dry mouth, shallow and rapid breathing, impaired speech, constipation, arrhythmia, dizziness, shaking and insomnia
Withdrawal can result in…
fatigue, agitation, depression, psychosis, anxiety and thoughts of suicide
Differences between methamphetamine and amphetamine
methamphetamine breaks down amphetamine when it is metabolized-it is excreted as amphetamine
methamphetamine is methylated twice
amphetamine can be prescribed but methamphetamine is considered too dangerous
Cocaine
Stimulant
injected, snorted, smoked, and consumed orally
half life- about one hour
detection period- 2-3 days
Behaviors of Cocaine use
excessive restlessness, lack of interest in food or sleep, continues to change the subject, euphoria, rapid speech pattern
Marijuana
Hallucinogen
smoked or occasionally orally ingested
occasional use is detected 3-10 days
chronic use is detected up to 30 days
Behaviors of Marijuana use
feelings of euphoria and relaxed inhibitions, rapid loud talking, bursts of laughter in early stages
later stages may feel sleepy or show signs of stuporous behavior
concentration and coordination are reduced
distorted sense of time
Synthetic Marijuana
can be prescribed legally for treatment of nausea during chemo or an appetite stimulant for AIDS
if its legal- drug test will be negative
Issues with testing for synthetic marijuana
amount of water consumed prior to test,
when they last urinated,
how efficient the body eliminates waste,
history of use
Opiates
includes heroin, codeine, morphine
heroin and codeine are typically injected but may be smoked or snorted
Codeine
codeine is usually injected
Codeine half life is 2.5 to 3 hours
detection period of two-three days
Morphine
half life of two hours
detection period of two to three days
PCP, Shrooms, acid, LSD
hallucinogen
eaten, snorted, smoked, or injected
no valid reason there should be a positive test
half life of 7 to 16 hours
detection period of 3-8 days
Behaviors associated with PCP, shrooms, acid, and LSD
extreme mood swings, disorientation with agitation, and violence if exposed to excessive sensory stimulation
Breath Alcohol Concentration
BAC; the alcohol in a volume of breath expressed in terms of grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath as indicated by a breath test
.08 is legal in most states
.04 is considered minimal threshold
.02 is federal-begins to show signs of impairment
Testing for Alcohol
saliva, blood, urine is only used in specific situations, BAC
Huffing/Sniffing
inhalation; through the nose or mouth
Huffing
chemically soaked rag is held to the face or stuffed in the mouth and the substance is inhaled
Sniffing
can be done from containers or bags, clothing or rags saturated in a substance or from product directly
Bagging
substances are sprayed or deposited into plastic or paper bag and the vapors are inhaled; can result in suffocation because a bag is placed over the head, cutting off supply of oxygen
Bath Salts
sold as tablets, capsules, or powder and purchased in places such as tobacco and convenience stores, gas stations, head shops, and the internet
they mimic cocaine, LSD, methamphetamine, and ecstasy
