Not All Drug Tests Are Created Equal
Whether you’re preparing for a pre-employment screening, fulfilling a court order, or running compliance checks at your business — drug testing plays a critical role in safety, legal protection, and trust.
But not everyone realizes that “drug test” is a broad term. There are actually several types of panels, each screening for different substances. The most common are the 5-panel and 10-panel drug tests.
In this guide, we’ll break down what each panel includes, who uses them, how they’re administered, and how Curis Diagnostic Solutions, LLC can deliver secure, mobile drug testing — right to your location.
🧪 What Is a Drug Test Panel?
A drug test panel refers to the number of substances (or classes of drugs) being screened in a single test. For example:
- A 5-panel test screens for 5 different drug categories
- A 10-panel test screens for 10 categories — including many prescription medications
Panels are commonly used by:
- Employers (pre-hire, post-accident, random)
- Legal systems (court orders, probation)
- Schools and athletic programs
- Individuals for personal verification
Tests can be conducted via urine, saliva, hair, or blood, with urine being the most common.
🔹 What’s in a 5-Panel Drug Test?
A 5-panel drug test is the standard for most employers and government screenings. It typically screens for:
- THC (Marijuana)
- Cocaine
- Opiates (e.g., heroin, morphine, codeine)
- Amphetamines (e.g., Adderall, methamphetamine)
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
✅ Best for:
- DOT-regulated industries (transportation, aviation, etc.)
- Entry-level or pre-employment testing
- Drug-free workplace compliance
- Quick, general screenings
❌ Limitations:
- Does not test for benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or many prescription painkillers
- May not detect synthetic drugs or designer opioids
🔹 What’s in a 10-Panel Drug Test?
A 10-panel drug test includes everything in the 5-panel, plus five additional substances — usually prescription-related.
Includes the original 5:
- THC
- Cocaine
- Opiates
- Amphetamines
- PCP
PLUS these additional 5: 6. Barbiturates (e.g., phenobarbital, secobarbital)
7. Benzodiazepines (e.g., Valium, Xanax, Ativan)
8. Methadone
9. Methaqualone (Quaaludes)
10. Propoxyphene (Darvon, now discontinued but still tested for in some cases)
Some 10-panel tests may include synthetic opioids or MDMA, depending on the lab and customization.
✅ Best for:
- Healthcare, legal, and law enforcement roles
- Court-ordered or probation-related testing
- Employers concerned with misuse of prescription drugs
- Personal testing for more comprehensive insight
❌ Limitations:
- Still may not cover synthetics, steroids, or designer drugs
- Custom panels may be more effective in niche use cases
📊 5-Panel vs. 10-Panel: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Drug Category | 5-Panel | 10-Panel |
|---|---|---|
| THC (Marijuana) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cocaine | ✅ | ✅ |
| Opiates | ✅ | ✅ |
| Amphetamines | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCP | ✅ | ✅ |
| Barbiturates | ❌ | ✅ |
| Benzodiazepines | ❌ | ✅ |
| Methadone | ❌ | ✅ |
| Methaqualone | ❌ | ✅ |
| Propoxyphene | ❌ | ✅ |
🧬 What About Custom Panels?
At Curis Diagnostic Solutions, LLC , we offer customizable panels to meet your needs.
You can request panels that include:
- Fentanyl
- MDMA (Ecstasy)
- K2/Spice (synthetic cannabinoids)
- Tramadol, Suboxone, or other opioids
- Expanded pain management panels
We also provide DOT-compliant testing, random screening protocols, and chain-of-custody documentation for court use.
🛡️ Why Chain of Custody Matters
If your drug test is being used in a legal setting or official employment context, it must follow a chain-of-custody protocol. This ensures:
- Sample identity is verified
- No tampering occurs
- Each step is documented
- Results are legally admissible
At Curis, all legal and employment drug testing follows strict chain-of-custody standards, from collection to lab delivery.
📍 How We Deliver Testing — Wherever You Are
We bring the test to you. Curis Diagnostic Solutions, LLC offers:
- 📦 On-site workplace testing (ideal for pre-hire or post-incident)
- 🏠 At-home or hotel-based collections (perfect for legal or personal use)
- 🧑⚖️ Court-approved, witnessed testing
- 🚐 Mobile group testing at schools, events, or care facilities
Our certified technicians use tamper-proof kits, sealed transport containers, and digital result delivery systems.
🙋 FAQs
Q: How fast are results?
Most results are available in 24–72 hours, depending on the panel and lab.
Q: What if someone is taking a prescribed medication that shows up?
We offer Medical Review Officer (MRO) services that can verify prescriptions and issue result interpretations.
Q: Can I choose the test type (urine, hair, saliva)?
Yes — we offer multiple sample types, though urine is most widely accepted and fastest for results.
Q: Is this available nationwide?
We currently operate in multiple states and are expanding rapidly. [Check availability here.]
🧠 Final Thoughts: Choose the Right Test for the Right Reason
Whether you’re an employer, an attorney, or just someone needing peace of mind — it’s critical to choose the drug test panel that fits your needs.
- Go with a 5-panel for standard employment screenings
- Choose a 10-panel for more comprehensive insight
- Opt for custom panels when you need targeted results
With Curis Diagnostic Solutions, LLC , you’ll get accurate, professional testing — delivered directly to your door or facility.
