12-Panel Drug Test: What Drugs Does It Detect?
Have you been told you need to take a 12-panel drug test? Are you wondering what drugs this type of test detects? Employers commonly request a 12-panel drug test, whether at an existing job or when applying for a new position. It can also be requested if you play professional sports, are involved in a court case, take highly addictive prescription medications, or participate in a drug treatment program.
Drug tests are designed to detect the presence of one or more drugs in the urine, blood, sweat, saliva, or hair. The aim of drug testing is to identify instances of drug use. The 12-panel drug test can detect 12 specific drugs, including prescription medications and illegal drugs.
Dealing with a substance abuse disorder puts a damper on many aspects of your life, from at home to on the job. At Zinnia Health, we understand how the cycle of addiction can be hard to stop. We’ll walk you through every step of the treatment process, so don’t hesitate to call our 24-hour addiction hotline at (855) 430-9439.
What’s a 12-Panel Drug Test?
Drug tests come in many forms and vary depending on the type and number of drugs to be tested. These range from the 5-panel test to the 14-panel test. The most common drug test is the 5-panel drug test.
It can detect five basic types of drugs: amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, opiates, and phencyclidine. In contrast, the 12-panel drug test can detect seven additional drug types, which helps determine whether someone is using or misusing one or more prescriptions or street drugs.
What Does a 12-Panel Drug Test Screen For?
The 12-panel drug test screens for about twice as many drugs as the most common 5-panel and 7-panel tests. In addition to the basic drug families, it also detects many more prescription and illegal drugs. In particular, the test uncovers the use of dangerous substances like fentanyl, which have been responsible for many overdoses and deaths.
The 12-panel drug test detects active components found in the following 12 drugs:
- Amphetamine/methamphetamine (Desoxyn)
- Barbiturates (Fiorina, Pentothal, Seconal, Nembutal)
- Benzodiazepines (Ativan, Halcion, Klonopin, Valium, Xanax)
- Cocaine
- Ecstasy/MDMA
- Fentanyl
- Marijuana/cannabis
- Methadone (Methadose, Dolophine)
- Methaqualone (Quaalude)
- Opiates: hydrocodone (Vicodin), oxycodone (OxyContin), oxycodone and acetaminophen combination (Percocet)
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
- Propoxyphene (Darvocet, Darvon)
How Far Back Does a Panel Urine Test Go?
When you consume drugs, the time they stay in your body varies widely. A 12-panel test will only detect drugs that fit within the detection window.
The National Library of Medicine published the following detection periods for each substance:
| Substance | Detection Window Period |
|---|---|
| Amphetamine | 2-3 days |
| Benzodiazepines | Short-acting: 2 days Intermediate-acting: 5 days Long-acting: 10–30 days |
| Cannabinoids | Single use: 3 days Moderate use (4x/wk): 5–7 days Daily use: 10–14 days Chronic heavy use: 30 days or longer |
| Cocaine | 20 mg IV cocaine: less than 1.5 days Chronic use: 2–3 days High doses: up to 7 days |
| Opioids | Codeine: 2 days Heroin (morphine): 2 days Hydrocodone: 2–3 days Hydromorphone: 2–3 days Methadone: 3–5 days Oxycodone: 2–4 days |
| Phencyclidine | 8 days |
Who Would Take a 12-Panel Drug Test?
You may be asked to take a drug test for many reasons. In general, the following people may be required to take a 12-panel drug test:
- Employees (current or potential)
- Workers involved in workplace injuries or accidents
- Collegiate or professional athletes
- Drug rehab patients or sober living residents
- People involved in criminal or vehicle accidents court cases
Taking drug tests is no fun — even more so if a positive result could cause you to lose your job or not get hired. If this is something you worry about, you may have a substance use disorder (SUD). No worries, as we offer a range of programs at a rehab center location near you. Speak with a Zinnia Health specialist by calling (855) 430-9439 anytime.
Where Would a 12-Panel Drug Test Happen?
Drug tests are usually conducted at a lab or clinic set up to collect urine or other samples. The tests may be run onsite or shipped to a testing laboratory. In the case of random drug tests, you may be required to submit a sample at your workplace or other setting.
How to Prepare for a 12-Panel Drug Test
When asked to take a drug test, you’ll be informed about the process. You will need to follow instructions given by the lab tech or other healthcare professional on how to correctly collect a urine sample. In some cases, you may be supervised while providing the sample.
What Do the Results of a 12-Panel Drug Test Mean?
When you take a 12-panel drug test, you’ll learn the results within several days. Your drug test results will come back as either “negative” or “positive,” and the report is sent to your employer or whoever ordered it. In general, a positive result means there were one or more of the 12 types of drugs found in your system.
A negative result means there were no traces of those drugs in your system. The 12-panel drug test is relatively accurate; however, false positives are possible due to various factors, such as mishandling of the specimen. For that reason, additional testing may be required.
Avoid a Positive Drug Test — Get Help Today
Being asked to take a drug screening test can be disconcerting, to say the least. Whether it’s for your current or new job, a court case, sports, or some other reason, knowing what to expect helps.
The 12-panel drug test was designed to detect additional prescription and illegal drugs beyond the basic five. If you or a loved one use drugs, you may be caught using them if you fail a drug test. More importantly, this could be an indication that you have a substance use disorder.
Are you always worried about testing positive for drugs? If so, consider seeking treatment for substance abuse. At Zinnia Health, our addiction specialists can help you get on the road to recovery. Simply contact us online or call us at (855) 430-9439.