Every parent worries about drug use among children, especially when the children in question are teenagers. From marijuana to pills, drugs are easy to get and cause damaging effects that can be felt for years to come. If you suspect that your child may be using drugs, there are ways that you can perform a drug test at home, without having to resort to a treatment facility or legal action to find the truth.
Home drug testing kits are available from many commercial retailers, drug stores, and online. They are available in several forms, which vary in terms of the time frame in which they must be used and how easy it is to obtain a specimen. In all cases, obtaining the specimen requires some degree of cooperation on the part of the child.
Hair tests are some of the least invasive and most popular home drug tests available. These tests involve submitting hair strands to a laboratory for analysis. It is not well understood how drugs reach the hair, but they can be detected in hair samples. While this specimen is easy to obtain, it does have a few disadvantages. The test may not detect recent drug use, because it takes time for the drug to be incorporated into the hair follicle and for the hair to grow. It may also be possible to confuse contamination with smoke exhaled by other users with drug abuse by your own child. While most parents do not want their children “hanging out” with other drug users, the child may not make this distinction if falsely accused, and damage to the relationship may ensue.
Urine testing is another popular home drug testing method. While this method is more invasive of the child’s privacy, it may be faster and more accurate. Tests are usually provided in the form of a dipstick, and a color change can be observed in the case of a positive result without having to send the specimen to a laboratory for analysis. In most cases, the greatest amounts of a given drug are eliminated in urine within 6 hours of drug abuse; drugs may be detected for 48 hours or more. This test is most useful for parents who believe that their children are using frequently or have been caught in the act.
Home drug testing can provide parents with another line of defense against drug abuse by their children, as children who know that they may be drug tested may be less likely to use drugs. Parents should take into account the child’s temperament, the evidence that the child is using drugs, and their relationship with the child, as unfounded accusations may damage the relationship and even encourage rebellion. In any case, drug testing at home avoids the need for a treatment center and allows the parent to exercise authority right at home.
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