What Is a 5-Panel Drug Test: Insights and Overview

PUBLISHED: Wednesday, April 3, 2024

In today’s workforce, most companies who require drug testing use the 5-panel drug test to ensure their employees are sober and drug-free. 

The 5-panel drug test screens for the most commonly abused substances by individuals today. Often used by employers and other organizations in random drug testing scenarios, the five-panel test is fairly standard and popular because it yields results quickly. 

If you’re about to undergo drug testing of any kind, you must understand the components of what any panel drug test will require, what to expect, and how to get the passing results you need. 

Let’s jump right in! 

What Does the 5-Panel Drug Test Detect?

The 5-panel drug test detects the following illicit drugs:

  • THC (Marijuana)
  • Amphetamines
  • Cocaine
  • Opiates
  • Phencyclidine (PCP)

These have been deemed the most commonly used drugs around the world and are easy to screen for through a quick urine test.

Quick Fact: 5-Panel drug tests screen for THC, amphetamines, cocaine, opiates, and PCP. 

Detection Times for a 5-Panel Drug Test

Whether you’re a frequent or one-time user, you may be wondering how far back this urine drug test goes. This table indicates the standard detection times for the five drugs tested. 

Drug

Detection Times

THC

  • 2-3 days for infrequent users
  • 30 days for regular users

Amphetamines

48 hours

Cocaine

2 to 4 days

Opiates

2 to 3 days

PCP

  • 8 days for infrequent users 
  • 30 days for regular users

How does a 5-panel drug test work?

The urine test is fairly simple. You’ll be asked to go into the bathroom and collect a urine sample by peeing into a cup. 

If urine testing is completed through an employer, the screening would rarely be completed while supervised. Employers and organizations want to show trust in their employees, so it’s uncommon for most to require a supervised urine drug test.

A group of test tubes lined up together.

After you collect the urine sample in the cup, you’ll pass it off to the personnel in charge of running the 5-panel drug test. 

If the employer has their own drug screening kit, they may get the test results in a few minutes. Otherwise, they’ll send it to a testing facility and you’ll receive test results in a few days.

Common Use Cases for a 5-Panel Drug Test

Many industries utilize the 5-panel drug test because it’s quick, easy, and effective at showing results. If you’re applying for a job in one of the following sectors, you can expect to perform a drug test:

  • Transportation (DOT-Regulated)
  • Healthcare 
  • Construction
  • Law enforcement
  • Public health and safety
  • Safety and security industries 

 Understanding 5-Panel Drug Test Results

The 5-panel drug screening tests yield three possible results; positive, negative, and inconclusive. Let’s break down what each one means and how it will affect your employment, legal matters, or participation in certain organizations. 

Positive Result

If you receive a positive drug test result, this means the amount of metabolites in your sample is higher than the amount required to trigger a positive result. 

False positives do happen, where you may have chemicals in your system that are similar to what the test is designed to detect. These chemicals are common in over-the-counter medicines including Sudafed or cough medicine.

Negative Result

A negative test result means the test did not detect any (or not enough) substance in your system. Congratulations, you passed! You will probably not have to complete any other drug tests if you get a negative result and (hopefully) will receive the job offer you’re hoping for! 

Inconclusive Result

Inconclusive results mean the test could not determine a result. This typically comes from a testing error or if the sample was tampered with. In employment situations, the individual would usually be required to retest to get more accurate results.

How to Pass a 5-panel Drug Test

If you’re panicking, thinking, “How am I ever going to pass my drug test?!” Don’t stress. Testclear has been providing drug testing and detox solutions for over 20 years, and we have hundreds of success stories and happy customers. 

Let’s discuss the best options to pass your upcoming 5-panel drug test with flying colors. 

Detox Kits

Recent exposure to harmful toxins? Detox kits are a comprehensive solution that can alleviate the stress related to drug tests. To get any drug or substance out of your system, the body has to metabolize the toxins so the liver can excrete them. This process is expedited with Testclear’s Detox Cleansing Kits, available in 10-day, 7-day, 5-day kits, and more.

Testclear’s Toxin Rid supplements to help pass 5-panel drug tests.

The detox cleansing kits come with pre-rid tablets, dietary fiber, and a liquid detox to ensure the toxins are efficiently and thoroughly flushed from your system. 

Did You Know: Testclear’s detox kits can help your body flush out unwanted toxins safely and naturally, and they can also help you if you’re hoping to stay clean and sober long-term.

Powdered Urine 

If you don’t have enough time to complete a detox plan before your drug test, Testclear’s Powdered Urine is a safe and effective way to ensure you pass any drug screening. 

Made with 100% drug-free authentic human urine, the powdered kit is a much better option when compared to synthetic urine, which often fails drug tests. This kit contains all the necessary chemicals, including uric acid, to effectively simulate real urine. 

Klear Urine Additive

For less sophisticated testing methods, Klear Urine Additive is an effective tool to have as a resource. Individuals can simply add these urine crystals to their sample before submitting it for testing. 

Testclear’s Klear Urine Additive, designed to be added to a urine sample for 5-panel drug tests.

It’s worth noting that more advanced laboratories can test for Klear — be SURE the testing facility your employer uses does not detect Klear before using. If they do, opt for the Powdered Urine kit instead. You’re better safe than sorry! 

The Holistic Approach to Detoxing

If you have enough time, you can successfully cleanse your body of many toxins from substance use on your own. Or, perhaps you just want to take a break from using recreationally — there are so many reasons to detox. 

Here are some tried and true methods to detox naturally through simple steps and lifestyle changes. 

Did You Know: The body naturally detoxes on its own, but the following tips are ways you can promote a healthy immune system and ensure your organs are working adequately. 

Eat Healthy

We believe the adage that food is medicine and can help your body detoxify naturally without any medical help. Try to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains. Eating healthy aids in digestion and promotes a healthy immune system, both of which are critical components of a natural detox. 

Eating healthy also means cutting out heavily processed foods and products that are high in sugar. Replacing junk food with healthy alternatives can strengthen critical organs for detox, including the kidneys and the liver.

Stay Hydrated

Water aids in digestion, helps with nutrient absorption, and supports natural detoxification by removing waste from the body. Aim to drink half your body weight in ounces of water each day. For example, if you weigh 200 pounds, try to drink 100 ounces of water to stay properly hydrated. 

Get Plenty of Exercise

Regular exercise has many benefits for the body, one of which is reduced inflammation. As you take steps to reduce inflammation, your body’s organs will become more effective at functioning properly, including detoxifying and defending against disease. 

Focus on Gut Health

Keep your gut healthy and functioning properly by consuming plenty of prebiotics and probiotics. These types of fiber are the “good bacteria” in the gut that fight bacteria and keep the immune system healthy and strong. 

Prioritize Sleep

As you sleep, your body is hard at work repairing, regenerating, and re-energizing. This is a pivotal process in detoxification, so be sure to get the recommended amount of sleep per night (7 to 9 hours) to set your body up for success.

Reduce Alcohol

Give your liver a break as you naturally detox by avoiding alcohol as much as possible. Regular or excessive drinking can have damaging effects on the liver, hindering it from breaking down the waste compounds and toxins in the body and filtering them properly. 

FAQ: 5-Panel Drug Tests

Get all your questions about 5-panel drug tests answered here.

Is a 5-panel drug test a urine test?

Yes, a standard 5-panel drug test is conducted through a urine sample. Other variations of the 5-panel can be conducted through a hair, saliva, or blood sample. 

What does a 5-panel drug test screen for?

5-panel drug tests screen for THC, opiates, amphetamines, cocaine, and PCP. 

How far back does a 5-panel drug test go?

This depends on the substance used, frequency of use, and the individual’s body type. Most urine tests can detect drug usage from two to 30 days, while hair and blood tests can detect the presence of substances for much longer. 

Don’t Sweat Your Next 5-Panel Drug Test with Testclear

Simple drug tests require simple solutions. That’s been Testclear’s motto for over 20 years, and we have the customer success stories to prove its worth. Whether you’re looking to detox for personal or professional reasons, we’re here to help. Or maybe you’re in a pinch and need drug-free urine ASAP, we can provide that as well.

Explore our products and get the peace of mind you need before your next drug test.

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