If you're like me, you've been told that it's important to get regular checkups with your doctor. I know that my family doctor takes good care of me and my health so I make sure to go in for appointments about once a year. But what happens if I'm on drugs? That's an awkward question for doctors and their patients alike, but it does come up from time to time.
The short answer is yes. Drug tests are common in physicals, and they can be used to detect drug use in the past, present and future.
Drug screening kits detect certain substances by using an immunoassay method (like a home pregnancy test). They look for specific chemicals or compounds that indicate the presence of drugs or alcohol. The results will show either positive or negative depending on how much of those chemicals are present in your blood sample.
The long answer is that it depends on your doctor and what they're testing for. Some doctors are looking to see if you have any drugs in your system at all, while others may be more concerned with specific substances.
The reason for this is because certain drugs can be detected in the body for up to a year after use and some even longer than that. For example, opiates like heroin can stay in your system anywhere from three days up to two weeks after last use depending on how much was taken and how often it was used over time. While cocaine stays around about 24 hours after consumption (and sometimes less).
So if someone goes into an appointment and tests positive for marijuana but hasn't smoked pot since last week, chances are good that their test will come back negative once they've flushed out all traces of THC from their system--at least until next month when they get another test done!
There are different levels of drug testing, from a basic questionnaire to detailed lab work.
You can also be tested for drugs without your consent if you're applying for a job that requires drug testing. If this happens and the results are positive, it's possible that your application will be rejected or revoked.
If you've been arrested and charged with a crime, the court may order that you submit to a drug test as part of your sentence or probation terms. This is often part of an agreement between prosecutors and defense attorneys called "plea bargaining," which means both sides agree on certain things before going to trial (and hopefully saving everyone time).
Your doctor may be able to detect a history of drug use even if you haven't been using recently.
Drugs can be detected in your system for longer than you think, and some drugs may affect your health even if you aren't using them now. Your doctor will want to know about any medications (including over-the-counter) that you take, as well as any illegal drugs like marijuana or cocaine that could be affecting your physical health.
If you're applying for a job or if given a test, then yes. If you are under the age of 18, most schools will require drug tests as well.
Most companies will also require drug testing before hiring an individual.
You can also be tested by your boss if he suspects drug use. Employers are allowed to test for drugs, but they have to follow certain rules. For example, if an employer wants to test you for drugs and alcohol, he or she must first tell you about their policy in writing. This means that when you get hired on with a company, they should give it to you in writing so that if anything happens down the line (like being fired because of drug use), there's proof of what was said at the time of hire.
If an employer suspects that one of their employees is using illegal substances like marijuana or cocaine, then they may ask them not only whether or not this is true but also when was their last time using those substances as well as where were they at when using them? This gives both parties enough information so that everyone knows exactly what's going on without feeling uncomfortable during those conversations."
Your doctor may choose to do a test based on your history and symptoms. For example, if you have a history of drug use and are exhibiting symptoms of withdrawal, he or she may want to test for drugs.
In addition to testing for illegal substances such as cocaine, marijuana and heroin (and other opioids), your doctor may also be able to screen for prescription medications including benzodiazepines like Xanax and Valium; opioids like oxycodone or morphine; amphetamines such as Adderall; barbiturates like phenobarbital; sedatives/hypnotics like GHB/GBL (gamma hydroxybutyrate) or Rohypnol ("roofies").
If you are using drugs, it is best to quit before you get tested. Drugs can stay in the body for a long time and can be detected in urine, blood and hair. They can also be detected in saliva and sweat. There are even tests that use breath to determine if someone has been smoking marijuana recently. Nails can also give away signs of drug use since they're made from dead cells that grow slower than other parts of our body (like skin).
If you have taken drugs, it is best to be honest with your doctor so they can give you the right treatment. If you tell them, they will know what to look for and how to treat it.
If you do not tell them, they may not be able to help as well because they don't know what drug has affected your body or if any other problems are present in addition to the drug use.
If you're concerned about getting tested for drugs in a physical, talk to your doctor. They can help you understand what kind of testing they do and how it affects your health.