Everything to Know About Cut-Off Levels in Drug Testing

In drug testing, cut-off levels refer to the threshold concentrations of drugs or their metabolites that must be present in a sample for the test to be considered positive. These levels are established to distinguish between levels of drug exposure that result from legitimate medical use and those that indicate potential substance abuse.

Types of Drug Testing and Cut-Off Levels

There are different types of drug tests, such as urine, blood, hair, and saliva tests, each with its own set of cut-off levels. Here are some examples:

1. Urine Drug Testing

Marijuana (THC): The cut-off level for THC in urine is typically 50 ng/mL.

Cocaine: The cut-off level for cocaine in urine is usually 300 ng/mL.

Opiates: The cut-off level for opiates like heroin and morphine in urine is

commonly 2,000 ng/mL.

2. Blood Drug Testing

Alcohol: The cut-off level for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is often 0.08%, which is the legal limit for driving in many jurisdictions.

3. Hair Drug Testing

Cannabis (THC): The cut-off level for THC in hair is usually 1 picogram per

milligram (pg/mg).

Opiates (e.g., morphine): The cut-off level for opiates in hair is typically 0.3 ng/mg.

Cocaine: The cut-off level for cocaine in hair can range from 0.5 to 1 ng/mg.

Phencyclidine (PCP): The cut-off level for PCP in hair can range from 10 to 25 pg/mg.

4. Saliva Drug Testing

Methamphetamine (MET): The cut-off level for methamphetamine in saliva is often 25 ng/mL.

Opiates (e.g., heroin): The cut-off level for opiates in saliva is typically 30 ng/mL.

Cocaine: The cut-off level for cocaine in saliva is commonly 20 ng/mL.

Phencyclidine (PCP): The cut-off level for PCP in saliva is 1 ng/mL.

Why Cut-Off Levels are Important!

Cut-off levels are crucial for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of drug test results. They help to minimize the chances of false positives or false negatives by differentiating between actual drug use and incidental exposure to drugs. By setting specific cut-off levels, drug testing laboratories can standardize their testing procedures and provide consistent and objective results.

For example, in a saliva test, if the cut-off level for cocaine is 20 ng/mL, a sample with a concentration below this level would be considered negative, while a sample exceeding this threshold would be deemed positive. This clear distinction helps to ensure the validity of the test results and avoid misinterpretation.

It's important for individuals undergoing drug testing to be aware of the cut-off levels for the specific drugs being tested to understand the potential outcomes of the test accurately.

If you have any further questions or need more information about cut-off levels in drug testing for specific substances, feel free to ask!