Non Medical Uses for a Urinalysis

A urinalysis may be used for reasons that are non-medical, such as drug testing. A urinalysis is usually performed by an independent laboratory.

Identification

• A urinalysis is the screening of a person's urine. A urine sample is provided and a laboratory screens the urine for traces of foreign substances. This process usually takes two to three days.

Pre-Employment Screening

• Many employers ask that applicants undergo urinalysis as a routine pre-employment screening. This is done to avoid hiring applicants who use recreational drugs that may affect their work performance.

Legal Reasons

• A urinalysis may be ordered by a court or a probation officer to ensure that someone is complying with the terms of probation. A urinalysis may be ordered for a person who is undergoing court-ordered drug rehabilitation as well.

Athletes

• Athletes may undergo a urinalysis to be certain they are not using recreational or performance-enhancing drugs. High schools and colleges routinely screen their athletes for drugs such as cocaine and marijuana. Athletes at a higher level may be screened for anabolic steroid use.

Considerations

• A urinalysis is a diagnostic tool that has many non-medical uses. According to the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, approximately 80 percent of employers in the United States use urinalysis for pre-employment screening.