2026-2027 | On-Demand Session | Toxicology: Drug Testing in Addiction Medicine | July 2026-Toxicology: Drug Testing in Addiction Medicine Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This session on toxicology, drug testing, and addiction medicine emphasized that drug testing should be used as a therapeutic tool, not punitively. Dr. Valerie Correjo and fellows from the University of New Mexico reviewed the history of toxicology testing, the different specimen types available, and the strengths and limitations of urine, blood, saliva, sweat, hair, and breath testing. Urine testing was highlighted as the most practical and widely used method in addiction treatment, but also one that is vulnerable to tampering, dilution, substitution, and adulteration.<br /><br />A major focus was on how to interpret results correctly. The speakers reviewed common pitfalls, including false positives and false negatives, detection windows, assay cutoffs, and the importance of knowing what drug the test is actually designed to detect. Special attention was given to opioids, benzodiazepines, methadone, fentanyl, buprenorphine, and stimulants such as amphetamines and methylphenidate. Cases showed how confirmatory testing with GC-MS or LC-MS can clarify unexpected screening results, especially for oxycodone, clonazepam, and buprenorphine adherence.<br /><br />The talk also covered when drug testing is appropriate in different settings: outpatient, intensive outpatient, residential, opioid treatment programs, adolescents, and pregnancy. Speakers stressed patient-centered, trauma-informed communication, informed consent, and awareness of racial and legal disparities in testing, especially in pregnancy and emergency care. Overall, the session reinforced that drug testing should support safety, adherence, and recovery while minimizing stigma and harm.

Keywords

toxicology

drug testing

addiction medicine

urine testing

confirmatory testing

false positives

false negatives

GC-MS

LC-MS

opioids

benzodiazepines

fentanyl

buprenorphine

trauma-informed care

informed consent