Mayo Clinic Laboratories > Therapeutics > Addiction rehabilitation monitoring

Addiction rehabilitation monitoring

Urine drug testing to monitor and support patient recovery

As part of an evidence-based addiction treatment program, comprehensive urine drug testing (UDT) can serve as a therapeutic tool to assess and manage patients across all phases of recovery from substance use disorders.1 Use of objective measures, such as laboratory testing, to assess recent drug use and establish clinical goals enables successful patient rehabilitation and recovery. Understanding which substances patients have ingested improves providers’ abilities to determine the efficacy of the treatment plan and provide motivation or reinforcement for abstinence.

40.3 million

40.3 million Americans aged 12 or older were affected by a substance use disorder in 20202

50%

50% reduction in substance misuse when clinical UDT is combined with other risk-mitigation strategies3

45

45 open Mayo Clinic clinical trials in psychiatry and psychology

Testing services

Comprehensive drug profiles Comprehensive drug profiles
Comprehensive drug profiles

The Clinical and Forensic Toxicology Laboratory offers high-resolution, accurate mass spectrometry-based profiles to identify parent drugs and metabolites, including prescription drugs and illicit substances.

Confirmatory testing Confirmatory testing
Confirmatory testing

Our definitive testing approach uses mass spectrometry technology to accurately identify parent drugs and metabolites of substances, which, because of complex metabolic processes, similar chemical structures, and pharmaceutical impurities, could interfere with the results of immunoassay screening.

Oral fluid Oral fluid
Oral fluid

Our immunoassay panel uses oral fluid to screen for 20 drug analytes across 11 drug classes, including opioids, benzodiazepines, stimulants, and other commonly prescribed or abused controlled substances. Oral fluid is now recognized as an appropriate alternative by the American Society of Addiction Medicine.

Result interpretations Result interpretations
Result interpretations

Results from our assays are accompanied by interpretive reports that clearly identify the presence of prescribed, nonprescription, and illicit drugs. By including testing limitations, details on the window of drug detection, and information on the presence of pharmaceutical impurities and metabolic breakdowns of parent drugs, these enhanced reports provide important insights to guide treatment decisions.

Advancing the field of addiction medicine

The Clinical Forensic and Toxicology Laboratory works collaboratively with the Clinical Mass Spectrometry Laboratory to develop and validate drug testing in partnership with Mayo Clinic’s addiction specialists. Our clinically driven evaluations are backed by more than 45 years of clinical patient experience and expertise and deliver accurate, actionable results that clarify substance use for improved outcomes. Our experts are available to discuss unexpected or unexplained results, provide ordering guidance, and offer testing education free of charge to our clients.

Mayo Clinic is engaged in ongoing research on drug addiction and substance use disorders and offers several clinical trials to advance understanding of the condition. Check out our Clinical Trials page to learn more.

News and updates

The latest

Oral fluid offers an alternative specimen for controlled substance monitoring: Paul Jannetto, Ph.D.

Paul Jannetto, Ph.D., explains the advantages that Mayo Clinic Laboratories' oral fluid drug screening offers over typical urine tests. Oral samples are easier to collect and harder to adulterate.

Learn more
New high-resolution urine drug testing profile

Bringing together advanced testing technology, unparalleled expertise, and a patient-focused approach, Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ new high-resolution urine drug testing profile, ADMPU, evaluates for 22 drug classes including alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine, enabling clarity on substance use and precision insights that propel treatment.

Addiction rehab monitoring assay

Paul Jannetto, Ph.D., and Loralie Langman, Ph.D., discuss Mayo Clinic Laboratories' unique approach to urine drug testing for addiction rehabilitation. Designed to guide and monitor therapy, the comprehensive profile tests for the most commonly used substances, including alcohol and nicotine, for a complete picture of a patient’s substance use.

Resources
Learn more Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependance Center
Learn more Mayo Clinic Addiction Services Research
Learn more Mayo Clinic Intensive Addiction Program
Learn more Mayo Clinic Outpatient Addiction Program
Learn more Psychiatry and Psychology research at Mayo Clinic
Learn more Mayo Clinic Psychiatry and Psychology Clinical Trial
References
  1. American Society of Addiction Medicine Consensus Statement on the Appropriate use of Drug Testing in Clinical Addiction Medicine. Thomson (asam.org).
  2. American Society of Addiction Medicine National Practice Guideline For the Use of Medications in the Treatment of Addiction Involving Opioid Use. The ASAM National Practice Guideline Supplement.pdf
  3. National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics: https://drugabusestatistics.org
  4. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Excessive Alcohol Use: https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/factsheets/alcohol.htm
  5. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Highlights for the 2020 National Drug Survey on Drug Use and Health. 2020_NSDUH_Highlights.pdf (samhsa.gov).
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