Drugs of Abuse - Serum - NCOC

This test screens a blood sample for the presence of several commonly misused drugs and drug groups. It provides a snapshot of which substances may be present in the body around the time the sample is taken. This is a screening test intended for personal information and general health purposes.

What this screen checks

• Amphetamines: including stimulant drugs such as speed and related substances
• Cocaine: and its breakdown products
• Cannabinoids: the active compounds found in cannabis
• Opiates: a group that includes substances such as morphine and codeine, and related drugs
• Benzodiazepines: a group of sedative medicines sometimes misused
• Barbiturates: an older group of sedative drugs
• Tricyclic antidepressants: a class of antidepressant medication

An important note on this test

This is a screening test provided without chain of custody. This means it is suitable for personal or informational use only, and the results cannot be used for legal, employment, workplace, court, or other official purposes, which require a specially controlled chain-of-custody process. A screening result also indicates only the likely presence or absence of a substance group, and can occasionally be affected by prescribed or over-the-counter medicines. Any result that is important for health or personal decisions is best discussed with a doctor, who can interpret it in context.

Why it matters

This screen offers a confidential way to check for the presence of commonly misused substances. If you have concerns about your own or someone else's substance use, support is available, and speaking to your GP or a drug and alcohol service can be a helpful first step.