Drug Testing: An Essential Tool in Recovery

It’s 2022, and we are still doing observed urine collection, otherwise known as drug testing. Peeing into a cup to check for the presence of drugs or alcohol…Is it really still “a thing?” YES…and an important thing.

Drug testing, in any form, is an essential tool in recovery and both Freedom Institute’s and Veritus’ Professionals Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) require weekly random drug testing of all our clients. And there are reasons.

In an interview for Insights by Veritus, Dr. Michel Sucher, Veritus’ Chief Medical Advisor explains why drug testing for clients is so important. He states, “Drug testing is an objective measure of whether somebody is in remission from their substance use disorder (SUD). I look at it as a medical test. We don’t ask diabetics to tell us their blood sugar, or individuals to tell us what their blood pressure is, we measure it. In a disease characterized by denial and minimization, a drug test is an objective and accurate way of measuring the status of a SUD.”

When there is a job on the line, a personal relationship at stake, or the difference between having access to one’s children or not, drug testing is critical. In the past, Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) did not drug test with any consistency, and it has always been challenging, especially for high-functioning executives and professionals, to go for treatment and be drug tested. While remote drug testing has been around for a while, unsupervised at-home drug testing was never a sure bet and had a host of issues, including concerns of validity.

Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit and so many struggling with a substance use disorder were unable to go in-person for treatment or to do drug testing. We found the answer. Freedom Institute and Veritus teamed up with remote drug testing companies that use DNA Authentication Drug Testing, a type of test that combines a one-time cheek swab for an individual’s DNA and from then on, a simple urine test matched to the DNA on file. This new technology allowed drug testing to continue remotely, in private, offering the positive effects of drug testing in a confidential and 100% authenticated manner. Post-pandemic, our collaboration with at-home DNA genome verified drug testing continues to reduce the barriers professionals may have to access the treatment they need and provides higher levels of confidentiality and convenience.

The need for discretion, dignity, and respect in the recovery process is a priority and this applies specifically to drug and alcohol testing. If we are determining the course of someone’s life with this data, shouldn’t we do everything we can to be certain the test is accurate and comprehensive while still maintaining the individual’s dignity and right to privacy? In Freedom Institute’s and Veritus’ IOPs, the use of DNA authentication in drug and alcohol testing provides a solution.

Drug testing should not be considered a shameful act, whether it is observed, in-person drug testing or not. Drug testing is a way of holding oneself accountable to the recovery process and a remote drug testing solution with DNA authentication eliminates the need for observed collection, allowing drug testing to be done in private. DNA authentication provides certainty that it is the individual’s specimen, and tests for synthetic urine, adulterants, dilution, and stored urine as well. And while accomplishing all of the above, this process tests for 100+ substances and metabolites, giving longer look back windows for detection, and allowing concerned entities not only to monitor for the illicit use of drugs and alcohol, but the ability to monitor compliance with prescribed medications, as well. And if that weren’t enough, every test is a confirmation report vs. presumptive, which allows for the monitoring of levels of every substance.

Recovery is challenging, and accomplishments matter. Our clients even welcome this robust, comprehensive, conclusive testing as an opportunity to demonstrate compliance, cooperation, and success. Drug testing using DNA Authentication is a form of positive reinforcement that can be an important motivator in early recovery.

“Our clients support the idea of drug testing as it gives them a level of accountability they may not have elsewhere,” said Kristin Waite-Labott RN, BSN, CARN, CPRC Director of Client Care, Freedom Institute and Veritus. “A negative test is a positive affirmation for a client that they are doing the right things to maintain their recovery progress. It lets them, and their treatment team, know that things are moving in the right direction and that their program is working for them.”

Waite-Labott continues, “And if a test is positive, it simply shows that the client is no longer in remission from their substance use disorder and that they need attention. It enables the client and their treatment team to confront the issue and offer additional support where it is needed. It enables an honest look at what is lacking in their recovery program and allows that program to be amended to ensure they have what they need going forward.”

Lastly, is the issue of trust. People who are abusing substances often lose the trust of their loved ones, and as the saying goes, “trust is lost in buckets and regained in drips.” Drug testing is a sure-fire way to rebuild trust quickly with a spouse, a family member, and an employer so that those in recovery can get back to living their best lives and back to work.

Suzu Solkin*, LMSW, a person in long term recovery and the mother of five explains, “Years ago, when my son was in high school, he was smoking weed. I imposed consequences (revoked driving privileges for safety to start) and I tested him with a standard UDS cup. When it was positive for THC, I set a timeline for a re-test. Needless to say, because of the half-life of the THC metabolite and the fact that the drugstore UDS test was presumptive, not confirmatory, he tested positive again, even though he swore he hadn’t used. Now, instead of fighting about my suspicions, we were fighting about the test results. Not an improvement. Clear, definitive, guaranteed results. That’s what we all need. DNA Authentication testing provides that.”

When used strategically and on a randomized testing schedule, drug testing, whether in person or remotely in private with DNA Authentication, is a positive factor in recovery and an encouraging deterrent. Just as a speed limit sign can encourage us to tap on the brakes, knowing that a testing request could come at any time is a reminder, a source of encouragement, and a motivation to move past that moment and continue on the road of recovery.

*Contributing writer