An SAP-10 tests for the presence of 10 common restricted drugs.
A SAP (Substance Abuse Panel) test is a screening for several types of illegal drugs, using urine samples commonly administered by employers, probation officers and athletic departments. The numbers following the SAP code detail the range and requirements of the test.
Drugs Screened
The first numeral following the SAP designation refers to a list of 10 classes of illegal or restricted drugs commonly used recreationally. This list includes amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines (Valium), cocaine, cannabis, methadone, methaqualone (Quaaludes), opiates, phencyclidine (PCP), and propoxyphene (Darvon). These drugs are more commonly tested for than any others, and the SAP-10 is the most common drug screening test.
Cut-off Level
The second numeral refers to the test's cut-off level. This is the concentration required to test positive for any one of the drugs--in this case, 50 nanograms per milliliter. Any concentration 50 ng/mL or higher is a positive result.
Detection Limits
Another important variable is not included in the test name code. An SAP test's detection limit is the minimum concentration of a drug required for detection--not necessarily for a positive result. This is not a legal factor but a technical one; concentrations below this point simply cannot be detected by the test. The detection limit varies from test to test and from drug to drug.
Detection Time
Though the SAP-10 tests for several drugs simultaneously, the time window necessary to detect use varies among drugs. Cocaine, for instance, can usually only be detected 12 to 48 hours after use, while tetrahydrocannabinol (the active substance in marijuana) can remain detectable for up to a week for infrequent smokers and up to two months in the case of chronic use.
Other Tests
Because the SAP-10 is general, and because its detection limit is high, it is cheaply administered. Should an employee test positive for a particular drug on an SAP-10, his employer may elect to administer a second, more specific, more expensive test. This will often be a blood test. SAP-10s are also sometimes augmented with additional tests should an employer suspect the presence of a drug not covered by the original SAP-10: LSD and MDMA (Ecstasy) tests are both common additions.
Related posts
Getting a false positive on a drug test is more common than you might think. The likelihood of getting a positive result on a drug test depends on numerous circumstances. You must handle your situ...
Saliva Test DefinitionSaliva testing is a process whereby drug testing is accomplished by searching for traces of certain drugs, or their metabolic byproducts, in a person's saliva. This testing i...
How Drug Tests WorkWhen you take a drug of any kind, it takes a certain amount of time to be fully processed and expelled from the body in waste matter. During this time, the drugs are broken down...
Hair drug tests can determine the past 90 days of a person's drug use.Hair drug testing analyzes 90 to 120 strands to determine the presence of drugs. Drugs embed themselves into the hair shaft, w...
The 5-panel drug screen tests for illicit drugs.The five-panel drug test, also referred to as NIDA-5, is a standard drug test established by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administ...
