Validated Screening Tools for Substance Abuse in Adolescents

The earlier you discover a teen abusing illegal substances, the greater the likelihood that treatment or proper education can persuade him to stop. Adolescents are particularly susceptible to substance abuse as many face peer pressure at school, work, or even at home. Substance abuse is also common among those who harbor misconceptions about the particular substance of choice.

Urinalysis

• Urine tests are an accurate method of testing for drug and alcohol consumption if you can prevent the person taking the test from attempting to tamper with it. Give the test randomly to reduce the risk of tampering. After the urine is deposited into the container it should be measured for temperature immediately; the temperature should be between 96 and 99 degrees F. There are two types of urinalysis -- the limit of detection test and the cut-off type test. The limit of detection test detects any illegal substance in the body; the cut-off type test only gives a positive reading the certain drugs reach predetermined levels.

Blood Tests

• Blood tests can accurately detect illegal substance levels in the blood stream. However, a blood test will only detect a substance if it is taken while the user is under the influence. Blood tests should be performed by a licensed professional in either a physicians office or hospital setting. If you are a parent who wants to get your teen tested, call ahead for procedures and privacy policies, as your teen can likely restrict who views the test results.

Swab Tests

• Swab tests are merely elongated cotton swabs that come in a sterile package. These tests are often given by employers wanting to conduct routine drug tests or wanting to test a prospective employee. The cotton swab is removed from the protective covering and is run along the inside of the test taker's mouth until it is fully saturated. The test is either sent to be evaluated at a lab or is evaluated on site if the company has the proper equipment. The swab test picks up traces of metabolites present in the body after the effects of the illegal drug subside.

Breathalyzer

• Breathalyzers are used to test if a person is under the influence of alcohol. A breathalyzer is only useful if the person in question has consumed alcohol that day. If a person is not tested while they are under the influence, the breathalyzer will not register a positive test. Breathalyzers can be purchased over the counter at most pharmacies, so if you suspect your teen is been drinking and you have a breathalyzer on hand, you can give them a test on the spot.