Which substances appear on standard panels?

Standard workplace drug testing panels commonly screen for substances associated with impairment, safety risk, misuse potential, or illegal use. Many routine panels include cannabinoids, cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, and phencyclidine (PCP). Expanded panels may additionally test for benzodiazepines, barbiturates, methadone, synthetic opioids, and other substances depending on employer policy and testing requirements.

The most widely used format is the five-panel drug test. This screening typically includes marijuana metabolites, cocaine metabolites, amphetamines, opiates, and PCP. Some employers use ten-panel or more comprehensive testing programs that broaden the range of detectable prescription and nonprescription substances.

Testing panels are often influenced by workplace safety considerations and regulatory standards. Transportation, healthcare, law enforcement, manufacturing, and federally regulated industries may require broader or more standardized testing protocols. Certain industries also include testing for synthetic opioids or prescription medications with impairment potential.

Drug testing identifies either active substances or metabolites produced during metabolism. Detection does not necessarily indicate current intoxication or impairment because metabolites may remain measurable after psychoactive effects have resolved. Laboratory interpretation therefore often considers both the substance detected and the type of testing performed.

Screening procedures commonly involve an initial immunoassay test followed by confirmatory laboratory analysis when results are positive. Confirmation testing helps reduce false positives and identifies specific substances more accurately. The exact substances included in a panel may vary significantly between employers, testing programs, and legal or regulatory requirements.