Testing of Drugs of Abuse in Oral Fluid, Sweat, Hair, and Nail: Analytical, Interpretative, and Specimen Adulteration Issues
Document Type
Book Chapter
Publication Date
2019
Identifier
DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-12-815607-0.00028-9
Abstract
Although approximately 90% drug testings are conducted using urine specimens, drug testing in alternative matrix such as oral fluid, sweat, hair, and nail are gaining importance as complementary approaches to traditional urine drug testings. Oral fluid testing like blood testing is very useful in detecting acute ingestion of drugs in a suspected drug-overdosed patient of an impaired driver. However, unlike a collection of blood specimens which requires venipuncture, oral fluid specimen can be collected on invasively. In addition, unlike urine specimen that can be easily adulterated, it is difficult to adulterate oral fluid specimen. Sweat patch can be used to monitor drug use over a period of several days to a week for an individual and is very useful in drug rehabilitation centers. Hair and nail specimen can provide a longer window of detection for drug use compared to oral fluid, urine, and sweat testing. Nail testing is useful in men who have short hair.
Journal Title
Critical Issues in Alcohol and Drugs of Abuse Testing (Second Edition)
First Page
405
Last Page
427
Keywords
Drug testingoral fluid; sweat; hair; nail; liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry
Recommended Citation
Garg U, Cooley C. Testing of drugs of abuse in oral fluid, sweat, hair, and nail. Critical Issues in Alcohol and Drugs of Abuse Testing. 2019:405-427. doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-815607-0.00028-9
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