Drug Testing Locations in Pennsylvania

Accredited Drug Testing has 747 drug testing centers in 2,156 PA cities.

Please select a city from the list below to find drug test centers in Pennsylvania.

Why Pennsylvania Employers Turn to Our Drug Testing Services

In an era of growing regulatory requirements, our 747 test centers across 2,156 Pennsylvania cities offer unmatched convenience and reliability. We're committed to supporting employers in creating safe and productive workplaces.

Choosing our services helps ensure compliance with state regulations while protecting your company's reputation. Our comprehensive testing reduces liabilities and promotes a culture of safety and trust within your workforce.

With fast and accurate results, Pennsylvania employers can make informed decisions to maintain high productivity and morale. Our expansive network of test centers ensures your team can access screening whenever and wherever needed.

Partner with us to leverage our expertise and infrastructure for all your drug testing needs. Our customizable solutions and outstanding customer service redefine the testing experience for businesses across Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Drug Free Workplace Programs

Pennsylvania does not have a formal Drug Free Workplace Program; however, it actively promotes a drug-free culture through various initiatives and programs aimed at reducing substance abuse. The state emphasizes the importance of creating healthy work environments by providing resources and support to employers interested in fostering a safe and productive workplace. These efforts include offering guidance on how to implement effective drug policies and integrate substance abuse education as part of employee wellness programs.

Additionally, Pennsylvania encourages businesses to adopt practices that support employees in overcoming addiction challenges. Various state-led programs offer training and workshops to help employers recognize the signs of substance use and provide avenues for obtaining help. These initiatives contribute to building an understanding and supportive infrastructure, empowering employees to seek assistance without fear of stigma. By focusing on prevention and support, Pennsylvania plays a vital role in maintaining workplace well-being and productivity.

How does the body eliminate Drugs

Drug elimination is the sum of the processes of removing an administered drug from the body. In the pharmacokinetic ADME scheme (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion), it is frequently considered to encompass both metabolism and excretion. Hydrophobic drugs, to be excreted, must undergo metabolic modification making them more polar. Hydrophilic drugs, on the other hand, can undergo excretion directly, without the need for metabolic changes to their molecular structures.

Although many sites of metabolism and excretion exist, the chief organ of metabolism is the liver, while the organ primarily tasked with excretion is the kidney. Any significant dysfunction in either organ can result in the accumulation of the drug or its metabolites in toxic concentrations.

A variety of other factors impact elimination — intrinsic drug properties, such as polarity, size, or pKa. Also other factors include genetic variation among individuals, disease states affecting other organs, and pathways involved in the way the drug distributes through the body, such as first-pass metabolism.

Issues of Concern

Drug elimination is the removal of an administered drug from the body. It is accomplished in two ways, either by excretion of an unmetabolized drug in its intact form or by metabolic biotransformation followed by excretion. While excretion is primarily carried out by the kidneys, other organ systems are involved as well. Similarly, the liver is the primary site of biotransformation, yet extrahepatic metabolism takes place in a variety of organ systems affecting multiple drugs.

Given the multiple organ systems and the variety of metabolic transformations present, drug elimination can entail a significant degree of complexity. Hydrophilic drugs are typically directly excreted by the kidneys, while hydrophobic drugs undergo biotransformation before excretion. The purpose here is twofold – biotransformation serves both detoxify the exogenous substances as well as to increase their hydrophilicity, ensuring their elimination via the kidneys.

Two broad metabolic pathways of hepatic drug transformation exist. Phase I is the direct modification of the target molecule, whereas phase II entails conjugation of the target to a polar molecule of low molecular weight. Phase I prepare the drug to enter phase II, but single-phase metabolism also exists.

Phase I involves oxidation, reduction, and hydrolysis of the exogenous molecule. These reactions are accomplished by hepatic microsomal enzymes, which reside in the smooth endoplasmic reticulum of the hepatocytes. Best known among them is the cytochrome P450 system, whose enzymes are predominantly involved in oxidative metabolism. Within the cytochrome P450 family (CYP), the enzyme responsible for the metabolism of more than 50% of existing drugs is the CYP3A4. Its activity encompasses various classes of medications, including opioids, immunosuppressants, antihistamines, and benzodiazepines. The enzymes can also be induced or inhibited by a variety of substances they interact with, including pharmaceuticals. The increase in metabolic activity with CYP induction results in a diminished activity of drugs targeted by that particular isoform. Conversely, CYP inhibition will result in increased drug plasma concentration, potentially leading toxicity. The CYP3A4 is induced by phenytoin, phenobarbital, and St. John's wort, while diltiazem, erythromycin, and grapefruit inhibit it. Caution is, therefore, necessary when administering CYP3A4-metabolized drugs in the presence of any of the inhibitors or inducers.

Phase II consists of covalent bonding of polar groups to nonpolar molecules to render them water-soluble and allow renal or biliary excretion. Target molecules enter phase II directly or via initial processing through phase I. A variety of polar adjuncts is transferred, including amino acids, glucuronic acid, glutathione, acetate, and sulfate. Glucuronidation is one of the major pathways of phase II biotransformation. The UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) enzyme family performs this activity. Typically, glucuronide derivatives possess less or no activity of the original drug, but in some cases, pharmacologically active compounds result. Morphine-6-glucuronide is a phase II metabolite of morphine with significant analgesic activity. As with the CYP enzymes, inducers, and inhibitors of phase II, enzymes exist and may influence the efficacy of drugs that rely on conjugation before excretion.

The first-pass effect is a feature of hepatic metabolism that also plays a role in the elimination of multiple drugs. Here, the enteric consumed drugs are exposed directly to the liver via the portal vein, where they undergo biotransformation before entering the systemic circulation. This activity reduces the bioavailability and needs to be factored into the dose administered to the patient. Intravenously administered drugs are not subject to the first-pass effect.

Extrahepatic drug metabolism takes place in the GI tract, kidneys, lungs, plasma, and skin.

Renal excretion completes the process of elimination that begins in the liver. Polar drugs or their metabolites get filtered in the kidneys and typically do not undergo reabsorption. They subsequently get excreted in the urine. Urinary pH has a significant impact on excretion, as drug ionization changes depending on the alkaline or acidic environment. Increased excretion occurs with weakly acidic drugs in basic urine and weakly basic drugs in acidic urine.

Excretion in the bile is another significant form of drug elimination. The liver can actively secrete ionized drugs with a molecular weight greater than 300 g/mol into bile, from where they reach the digestive tract and are either eliminated in feces or reabsorbed as part of the enterohepatic cycle.

Other pathways of excretion include the lungs, breast milk, sweat, saliva, and tears

Mobile/On-Site Drug Testing

If you're an employer needing to test 25 or more employees and looking to save time and money, we offer mobile on-site drug testing where we come to you. Call us today for more information.

Pennsylvania Laws on Drugs

Pennsylvania law enforces strict measures on illegal narcotics such as cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamines. There's a structured system of penalties for possession, manufacture, or distribution of these substances, with imprisonment, fines, and mandatory treatment, emphasizing deterrence and rehabilitation.

Consequences vary with the type of drug and the amount involved, aiming to curb drug abuse and trafficking. The state collaborates with local law enforcement and community organizations to tackle drug-related crimes effectively, prioritizing public health and safety.

Pennsylvania Laws on Marijuana

In Pennsylvania, medical marijuana is legal for certified patients with qualifying conditions. Patients must possess an approved identification card to purchase medical marijuana products from state-licensed dispensaries, supporting legitimate medical use while curbing misuse.

Recreational use remains illegal, with possession and cultivation leading to potential fines and legal actions. The state continues to adapt its policies through legislative processes, addressing societal attitudes and public health concerns surrounding marijuana use.

Pennsylvania Drug Resources

Pennsylvania Drug and Alcohol Programs
Comprehensive state resource for substance abuse help.

Pennsylvania Department of Health
Offers information on substance abuse and public health services.

Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs
Supports professionals and individuals with addiction resources.

PA CareerLink
Services for job seekers and employers, including substance testing resources.

Get Help Now
Immediate assistance for those battling addiction in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency
Works to reduce drug-related crime, offering resources to communities.

Pennsylvania State Police
Key agency in drug law enforcement with community involvement.

PA Department of Labor & Industry
Offers resources for employers looking to implement drug testing policies.

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