COVID-19 updates are on display on all news stations, but who is keeping tally of those succumbing to addiction due to the pandemic. The new struggles and emotions brought on by these unprecedented times are hard for the everyday person. The hardships experienced by someone with substance use disorder (SUD) can be detrimental. With over […]
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Drug and Alcohol Testing in Community Corrections: Some Provocative Findings
Douglas B. Marlowe, J.D., Ph.D. Community corrections officers spend 10 to 40% of their workweek administering and responding to drug and alcohol tests (Alemi et al., 2004; Reichert et al., 2020). They do this because 30 to 50% of probationers and parolees have a moderate to severe substance use disorder (Fearn et al., 2017) and […]
Read MoreEvidence-Based Practices for Substance Use Disorder Testing
People with substance use disorders often do not self-disclose substance use reliably. Studies conducted in substance use treatment, primary medical care and emergency room settings have reported that between 25% and 85% of individuals testing positive for illicit drugs or alcohol denied recent usage (Bagley et al., 2018; Chen et al., 2006; Harris et al., […]
Read MoreThe Impact of SUD and Mental Health on Healthcare Costs
People with SUD and other mental health diagnoses account for 60% of all healthcare spending, with just 7% of the spending attributed to mental health services and 53% attributed to physical health. [1,2] SUD-related physical health issues include emergency department visits, HIV or HEP-C treatments, repeat heart valve replacements, and neonatal abstinence syndrome, among others. […]
Read More5 Powerful Solutions for Drug Testing during COVID-19
COVID-19 has changed the way we live and work. There isn’t an industry this virus hasn’t affected in some way. The drug testing industry is certainly no exception. Patients that find themselves at the intersection of criminal justice and healthcare who are battling substance use disorders know how critical daily check-ins, random drug testing, and […]
Read MoreEvidence-Based Practices During this Unprecedented Time
Richmond, Va. – Determining the optimal specimen type to test for is dependent on a variety of factors. In order to properly test for substance use, it is important and helpful to know the different facets of each specimen you have the ability to test. Generally, choosing a specimen is determined by the type of […]
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