What is a 5-Panel Drug Test and How Will it Affect My Job?

If you are considered a DOT safety-sensitive employee, then you are required to be alcohol and drug free in the workplace. DOT enforces this rule by mandating drug and alcohol testing at random and regular intervals to ensure everyone remains safe and drug-free. If you are told that you need to take a DOT-mandated drug test, it will be the 5-panel drug test. This might lead you to wonder what substances are included in this test and what the test is like.

What is a 5-Panel Drug Test?

Despite its rather innocuous name, a 5-panel drug test is still a urine test, but as the name implies, it looks for five substances in particular that are considered common and high-risk in the workplace. The 5-panel drug test is aligned with the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, which took all drug laws and made them into one easy statute. It tests for opiates, marijuana, PCP, amphetamines, and cocaine. All specimens are sent to a lab for proper analysis and a medical review officer reviews the results. This type of testing is common in many workplaces to ensure everyone stays safe; however, it is required for DOT-mandated safety-sensitive employees.

Why is Workplace Drug Testing Beneficial for Workplace Environments?

There are a lot of reasons why workplaces should be free of drugs and alcohol. The most obvious reason is because of safety, but drug-free workplaces have also been linked with better mental health and increased productivity. Even employees who do not use drugs can benefit from the presence of a drug-free workplace by reassuring them of their safety within the workplace. Within a DOT-mandated workplace, all safety-sensitive employees must be tested for drugs before employment, after certain accidents, and at random intervals within their employment. In addition, if there is reasonable suspicion that drug abuse is present, then a 5-panel drug test will be administered.

What Happens If You Fail a 5-Panel Drug Test?

If you have failed a drug and/or alcohol, you can return to work following the strict return to duty process that ensures you are drug-free. You must contact a Substance Abuse Professional to get started. SRS can help you find a SAP quickly so you can get back to work. Contact SRS today.