How does testing for drugs using the sweat patch differ from testing for drugs using urinalysis?
Urinalysis for drugs represents a snapshot in time. Using urine testing, drugs such as amphetamines and cocaine are cleared from the body within 72 hours from a single drug use. Opiates will typically be cleared from the body within 72-96 hours following the last use. From a single use, marijuana will clear from the body within 96 hours. Long term heavy use may be detected for up to two weeks. Phencyclidine use may be detected for up to two weeks depending on history of use. The sweat patch, unlike urine testing, functions as a storage device. Therefore, drugs used 1-2 days before the patch is applied, while the patch is worn, and up to 24 hours prior to the removal of the patch will be detected and stored in the patch. Consequently, the sweat patch is a constant monitoring device, which provides the sweat patch with a longer detection window than urine testing. 8. Is it possible to have a positive sweat patch result and a negative urine test? Why? Yes. As indicated above, the sweat pa
