The THC Drug Testing for Marijuana at Work Place

Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug in the U.S. It is also called Cannabis as it is made up of the parts of Cannabis sativa, hemp plant. Many preparations from the plant are used as psychoactive drugs. The main psychoactive chemical compound of the drug is delta9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Certain tests can be performed in order to detect whether a person has consumed marijuana. This is done by the quantitative analysis of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and its metabolite, THC-COOH. The THC Test is one among those drug tests. Many of the organizations and businesses perform the THC drug testing at the workplace. The time that marijuana stays in the body varies based on the amount of its consumption. Also it is based on certain factors such as health, age, and metabolism of the individual. Mostly it is available for 3-30 days after consumption.


THC test is very specifically important in employment of some sensitive positions such as security and those in army. In order to act as a deterrent for drug use, THC drug testing is performed in schools, companies and government organizations.


THC test may be performed using blood, urine, saliva, hair, and sweat. But the most commonly used sample for the test is urine. A particular cut-off levels for the drug are set by regulatory organizations. The urine test detects 11-nor-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid (9-carboxy THC), the primary metabolite of THC. Many other types of tests that detect the presence of THC metabolites are immunoassay tests, and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS).

Certain commercially available cards are present in the market to perform the THC Testing. These cards are 95% to 98% accurate. The cut-off levels for the drug testing are set to that of SAMHSA levels. This method of THC test with cards is very easy way to detect the THC metabolite at a cut-off of 50ng/ml. It means that the test results positive when the concentration of the drug is greater than 50ng/ml. The THC test cards are approved by FDA but it only provides a preliminary analytical test result. For obtaining a more accurate analytical result, a more specific chemical methods like gas chromatography must be used.

Using Saliva-Drug Test for Investigation Purpose

Now-a-days, saliva-drug test has become popular. Drugs can be traced by this test easily because of immunoassaying. It gives the results fast, it just takes 5 to 15 minutes and gives results which are accurate. There are different types of saliva-drug test kits available. They are easy to use, one can also test at home.

Usually different types of testing methods used at different points of time. Saliva drug test can be conducted to detect a substance from the time of consumption through a period of hours or days. Means it is used for most recent drug consumption, from immediate usage to two to three days after consumption. This saliva-drug test is used for pre-employment drug testing at work place to detect whether a person is abusing drugs or not, before appointing. As, it is convenient and gives immediate results.

Saliva-drug test is approved for use in cases where immediate evidence is required, like for accident investigation. This test is used to test the drivers in case of accidents, it reveals that whether driver has taken drug or not while driving. This test is also used in many organizations or companies to monitor the existing workers. It is mandatory to screen the usage of five substances for both Federal and private companies, such drugs are opiates, marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine and phencylidine.

If it is compared to other drug tests like urine test, it is little more expensive. It has become more common in drug testing. Saliva drug test more reliable to detect the methamphetamine, opiates.

Effects of Inhalants on Health

Heart failure can be caused by sniffing highly concentrated amounts of chemicals. Person may die within minutes of a session of repeated inhalation. Sudden sniffing death, this is a syndrome, from single session of inhalant when used by healthy young person this can be result.

Particularly sudden sniffing death is associated with the abuse of propane, butane, and chemicals in aerosols.

Death from suffocation by displacing oxygen in the lungs. This may be also caused by high concentrations of inhalants, loss of consciousness and respiratory arrest can be caused by these drugs. The chances of suffocation is increased by deliberately inhaling from a plastic bag or paper or in closed area.

Many changes can be caused by inhalants in the body. The body functions are slowed down by all inhalants. After taking drug for the first time, the person gets excited, but then gets tired, has difficulty in walking well, speaking clearly, inhibitions, gets dizzy, and may get agitated, slurred speech.

People become long term users who get addicted to inhalants. They may have following problems:

• Muscle weakness
• Brain damage
• Depression
• Headaches and nosebleeds
• loss of sense of hearing or smell.

These are effects are caused by using inhalant drugs. Sometimes, these effects may lead to death of the user.

Know About Teen Drug Abuse

According to National Institute On Drug Abuse (NIDA), considering the age group most of the teens are being drug addicted. Teens by the age of 13 are already using the drugs like cocaine.

Main reason of teen drug abuse is just the eagerness which makes them use the drug. They even start consuming drugs just for fun. They sometimes take drugs to come out of stress. They feel that they are consuming drugs occasionally with their friends and do not expect that they will get addicted to it one day. When they end up with addicting, there will be no old friends and even their family members make them alienate.

The behavior of the teens willhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif slowly change. They will change the old friends who do not approve the usage of drugs. As a consequence of this the child will finally result in the loss of memory, loss of concentration, academic performance will be declined and even sometimes goes into depression.

Parents should suggest them regarding the major long term effects which spoil the health and even the friends who are concerned with their friends addiction may also can help them from avoiding the drugs. There are many psychological programmes which also can help the teen from being addicted. The age of the teens is the challenging age and the most confusing which builds or destroys their future.

What is Drug Detection Period?

After using the drugs the time period for which the drug testing gives a positive result is called as the drug detection period. The detecting periods varies for different types of drugs and also varies for different types of drug tests. The detection periods varies with the following factors like drug class, age over all body mass, health and pH value of the urine.

Naturally the detection periods for the hair will be more; it lasts for about 90 days in the hair. In general, drug testing normally involves the concentration of the drug above the cut off level rather than finding out just the presence of the drug. A general cut off level is the level which is used for finding the concentration of the drug present in the body.

Some of the drug detection periods for some of the drugs are as follows.
Detection Period for Urine test: The detection periods varies for various types of drugs. Suppose if the drug consumed is alcohol then the period is 6 to 24 hours; for cannabis it is 3 to 7 days; if it is of high consumption the period may be more than 30 days; for cocaine it is 2 to 5 days; morphine 2 to 4 days; heroin 3 to 4 days. These are some of the drugs and their detection periods for urine test for the common illegal drugs which are used frequently.

Detection period for Hair Drug test: The detection periods for the commonly used drugs is very high using this hair drug test it is about 90 days or more. Which means that the hair lasts the drug for about 90 days; the strands of the hair store them for 90 days which gives the more effective result.

Detection Period for blood/saliva test: The detection periods are very less. Depending upon the time of the drug used the detection period will be: for alcohol- 12 to 24 hours; cannabis-2 to 3 days; cocaine-2 to 5 days; Morphine- 1 – 3 days; heroin- 1to 2 days.

Detection Period for Sweat Test: Generally it is very low: 1 to 4 hours and sometimes upto 20 days.

So, detection periods vary differently for different drugs. It also depends on the physical strength of the body.

How Sports Help In Substance Abuse Prevention in Young People

Sports is an effective option to promote prevention of substance abuse among young people. There are many ways to employ sport to prevent substance abuse difficulties. Young people should know:

• Play sport with the right spirit
• Building up drug-associated information and life skills training

Whatever might be the approach to use sport as prevention, it is required to ensure good foundation. That foundation will be like a continuous commitment to fair play.

Sport must be played with right spirit. Sport which is based on the devoted spirit of sport and fair play is feasible is considered as a strong preventive measure for substance abuse, without any added elements. Young people can easily cultivate many assets or protective factors by involving in sport based fair play. Young people are apparent to several instances where the spirit of sport will not be positively reflected, it requires serious and continuous attention to make sure that young people and those around them illustrates these values.

Many people considers that different attitudes and social skills (like improved self-esteem, goal-setting) can be inculcated using sport. Some of the potential benefits of sports like reduced stress, raised academic performance and enhanced family relations are considered as protective factors for substance abuse. So, sport can be utilized to prevent substance abuse difficulties among youth.

Drug Intervention, Process To Stop Drugs Addiction

Drug Intervention is a process, which deals with a non-compliant person towards help and treatment. Treatment process is done in two steps:

• In first phase, a professional interventionist guide treatment process to Adductor friends and family members.
• In second phase, trained friends and family members will motivate the patient as per the guideline instruction.

Hence, in this way all concerned facts of patient are evaluated. Then a specialist develops a plan of action as per the addicted concerned facts. These plans include check out of patient behavior during treatment period.

In many addiction cases, there could be only one chance to approach the sick person and get to proper help. So, it is recommended to take treatment with trained persons. They are capable to assessing the situation, dealing with their denial and resistance plus determining the model of intervention.

These drugs intervention process is necessary because only a trained interventionist could understand and motivate the patient to make the decision to get out from drug addiction.

All About LSD

LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide) is probably the strongest hallucinogenic drug known. Albert Hoffman found it in 1938 a Swiss chemist. His actual intention was to discover a medicne for the common cold.

After 1-2 hours of ingesting of LSD drug, visual awareness (sensibility) is elevated, sounds become amplified, and emotions and physical sensations are changed. The user’s feeling of self and its communication with people or objects, their perception of reality is generally is a mystery. Unusual visual stimuli, which may or may not be soothing or frightening confuses the user. There will be a substantial risk of irrational fear, paranoia, confusion or panic. Some people will have wonderful experiences without any of these symptoms.

LSD should never be used when suffering from depression. LSD will extremely increases and changes the method of interpretation of sensory information by the mind. The effects of LSD will terminate after 8 to 12 hours, and users will feel tired the next day. Tolerance to LSD is generated very rapidly. A tab from a sheet is considered as the safest form of LSD. Panic under LSD must be responded with calm and generous attitude. Medication sometimes intensifies the problem. LSD do not cause any lasting problems, nor it causes convulsions or seizure.

Impact of Drug Misuse

Drug misuse may be dangerous for three main reasons. They are people can easily become addicted to the drug, the drug can cause physical and psychological harm, and drug abuse can have a negative impact on quality of life.

Two things are likely to determine the intensity of addictiveness of a drug. They are how enjoyable or delightful taking the drug is, and how rapidly the drug reaches or enters brain. Drugs that are smoked, injected or snorted (breathed through nose) can reach the brain very quickly and are generally more addictive than drugs that are swallowed. Depending on the effects, the order of addictiveness with the most addictive to least were Heroin, Cocaine, Tranquillisers, Amphetamines, Ketamine, Cannabis, Hallucinogens and Ecstasy.

People with heavy drug addiction, such as a heroin, cocaine, or crack addiction, often used to desperate, illegal, and dangerous activities to get money to pay purchase drugs. These activities include begging, burglary, shop-lifting, street crime, such as mugging (stealing) or bag snatching, and prostitution. This reduces quality of life.

Drug misuse has serious impact on health, can have a negative effect on quality of life and relationships with others. Many drug abusers recognize that they lose touch with their family and friends or that their family and friends lose interest in them due to their nonsensical behavior. Hobbies, interests, and ambitions are ignored as drugs become more essential. It will become more difficult to continue in job if a person suffers from drug problem.

Symptoms of Any Drug Abuse

Recently a study revealed that two in every five-person abuse drugs from age of 12 and above. This is one of the most disturbing problems in the society. From 6th standard school children start abusing the drugs. It is duty of both parents and school authorities to take necessary measures to educate the students about the dangerous consequences on health. They should also absorb the changes in the behavior of the children.

Significant changes are change in physical appearance, personality, attitude, or behavior, some stranger behaviors and many more. Changes both increase and decrease in appetite, eating habit; sudden weight loss and gain are few physical changes. Children face inability to sleep, unusual laziness, poor physical coordination, red and watery eyes etc.

Children tend to use the drugs to increase their efficiency, become attracted to form of the drug like package of drug, smell of drug, etc. with drug abuse, behavior patterns change drastically, like changes in friends, hobbies, and drop at performance at school, unnecessary demand for extra money, giddiness, and many.

Who Becomes A Drug Addict?

Getting addicted to drugs is one of the major bad habits of the human being. Drug addiction can ruin the whole life and lead the people towards a dead end. The question arises who would become a drug addict and the answers would be anyone because most of the people think that they can lessen their burdens using drugs. And taking a wrong path to reduce the burdens of life mentally and physically may give peace of mind for short span but in a long run that would give nothing in long run. Many people use their own drug testing kit with them to overcome the addiction.

In maximum case the person picks up addiction as a refuge from the worldly tensions and botherations that finally take the shape of depression. Sometimes the niche of frustration lays in some unsuccessful incident in life. Unable to cope with such a situation you are compelled to take the path of getting addicted to drugs. And you call upon yourself all sorts of unwanted consequences throughout your life. The worst side of drug addiction is that it is not only the person involved in this activity to get affected by this practice. Yes, that person is the direct victim but the family too is badly affected. The entire society is in some way or the other suffers.

A single drug addict may create nuisance and others too can easily come into the trap of addiction staying in his company. Gradually the society starts rejecting these people. They become a sort of burden and finally abandoned. As teens are becoming drug addicts some schools and colleges started the program of drug testing in schools so that atleast few of them can be recovered

The Effect of Tobacco On Health

The effects of tobacco on health are significant, depending on the way the tobacco is used and the amount. Major health effects of smoking, the most common use of tobacco, include an increased risk in lung cancer and cardiovascular disease. The World Health Organization estimated in 2002 that in developed countries, 26% of male deaths and 9% of female deaths were attributable to smoking. Similarly, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes tobacco use as “the single most important preventable risk to human health in developed countries and an important cause of premature death worldwide.

Disease linked to tobacco smoking
Diseases linked to smoking tobacco cigarettes include:

• Many forms of cancer, particularly lung cancer, cancer of the kidney, cancer of the larynx and head and neck, breast cancer, bladder, esophagus, pancreas, and stomach. There is some evidence suggesting an increased risk of myeloid leukemia, squamous cell sinonasal cancer, liver cancer, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer after an extended latency, childhood cancers and cancers of the gall bladder, adrenal gland and small intestine.
• Cardiovascular disease, either it may be a heart stroke or peripheral vascular disease.
• Respiratory ailments like common cold and bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema and chronic bronchitis in particular.
• Birth defects of pregnant smokers’ offspring.
• Buerger’s disease thromboangiitis obliterans.
• Cataracts that may cause blindness
• Cognitive dysfunction such as increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and decline in cognitive abilities and reduced memory and cognitive abilities in adolescent smokers and brain shrinkage.
• Finally Impotence

Neurochemistry and Physiology of the stress response

The neurochemistry of the stress response is now believed to be well understood, although much remains to be discovered about how the components of this system interact with one another, in the brain and throughout in the body.
In response to a stressor, corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) and arginine-vasopressin (AVP) are secreted into the hypophyseal portal system and activate neurons of the Para ventricular nuclei (PVN) of the hypothalamus. The locus ceruleus and other noradrenergic cell groups of the medulla and pons, collectively known as the LC/NE system, also become active and use brain epinephrine to execute autonomic and neuro endocrine responses, serving as a global alarm system.
The autonomic nervous system provides the rapid response to stress commonly known as the fight-or-flight response, engaging the sympathetic nervous system and withdrawing the parasympathetic nervous system, thereby enacting cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, renal, and endocrine changes.
The so-called hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA), a major part of the neuro endocrine system involving the interactions of the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and the adrenal glands, is also activated by release of CRH and AVP. This results in release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) from the pituitary into the general bloodstream, which results in secretion of cortisol and other glucocorticoids from the adrenal cortex. These corticoids involve the whole body in the organism’s response to stress and ultimately contribute to the termination of the response via inhibitory feedback.
Stress can significantly affect many of the body’s immune systems, as can an individual’s perceptions of, and reactions to, stress. The term psycho-neuro-immunology is used to describe the interactions between the mental state, nervous and immune systems, as well as research on the interconnections of these systems.