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From: Robert Swotinsky MD
Password: orange
Date: 16 Dec 2006
Time: 10:29:43 -0800
Remote Name: 71.192.169.78
Quest Diagnostics, the country's largest workplace drug testing laboratory provider, reported that in 2005 0.16% of urine specimens were identified as invalid and 0.01% of urine specimens were identified as substituted. The invalid tests typically represent use of the aforementioned "masking agents" (more correctly termed interfering substances) whether used legitimately or with intent to defraud, and use of adulterants. I believe there has not been good data published about cold specimens, donors caught cheating at collection sites, etc.
The second question posted is, "What is the best drug test for personal and professional use?"
It's unclear to me why anyone would drug test themselves for "personal" reasons. Perhaps someone might drug test themselves as a "dry run" to see what might happen if tested for a job. In that case, the best test to run on oneself would be the same test that will be run on them for the job.
What is the "best test" for professional use? For workplace drug testing programs, urine testing conducted at HHS-certified laboratories is considered the gold standard. However, hair testing can be more appropriate in certain situations, depending on what type of information (i.e., which drugs, what time frame) is being sought.