Biologic Testing

​

Random urine drug testing or other biologic testing may be used to help document sustained remission from a substance use disorder or to document that a professional is appropriately taking necessary medications. The costs of such testing is the responsibility of the healthcare professional.

​

While urine drug testing is the more frequent means of testing, blood serum, saliva, nail or hair specimens may be required. All specimens are collected and transported to the laboratory using chain-of-custody protocol to ensure integrity and reliability.

 

HAVEN has a Medical Review Officer available to review testing results. A Medical Review Officer (MRO) is a licensed physician responsible for receiving and reviewing laboratory results and evaluating medical explanations for certain drug test results. The MRO acts as the "gatekeeper" and advocate for the accuracy and integrity of the drug testing process and determines if there is a legitimate medical explanation for laboratory confirmed positive, adulterated, substituted and/or invalid drug test results.

​

Third Party Administrator: Random Testing Program

​

HAVEN uses a third party administrator (TPA) to coordinate the drug testing process when appropriate for a professional. HAVEN's TPA, RecoveryTrek, manages randomization, approval of collection sites and coordination of laboratory services.

​

If you are required to submit a Urine Drug Test, you will need to:

​

• Enroll or register for Toxicology Testing with the TPA. Print and retain the enrollment packet for your records.

​​

• ​Check your TPA calendar Monday through Friday to determine if you are selected to test. Be sure to note the option number of the test, as this must be provided to the technician at the testing site. ​​​​​

  • You will need to bring to the collection site photo identification, the option number you are selected for, and your HAVEN ID number.​

  • You will not be able to check into the system after 2:00 p.m. If you miss this check-in time is recommended that you self-select yourself for a test, as a missed test is treated as a positive.

​

• Keep your TPA profile current- including address, telephone number, email address and credit card information.

​

After enrollment, the TPA will send chain of custody forms. Collection sites will not allow you to submit a specimen without a chain of custody form. Contact the TPA when you need additional forms. We recommend that you keep a minimum of five chain of custody forms at all times. Failure to produce a chain of custody form is not considered an acceptable excuse for failure to test.

​

Other Important Testing Information:

​

When you are required to submit urine drug test, be mindful of all foods, liquids and other items you consume. Poppy seeds or poppy seed products, foods that contain alcohol, including fermented teas as well as such items as mouthwash and over the counter cough or cold medicines, are not considered a defense to a positive test result.

​

Whenever you are unsure about a food product or OTC medication, avoid ingesting it. Please reference the Talbott Medication Guide, found here.1

​

​

​

If you have a question, call HAVEN at (860) 828-3175.

​

​

​

​

​

​

1 “Addiction Recovery Guide | Medication Guide.” Talbott Recovery, 22 Sept. 2016, talbottcampus.com/prescription-drug-resource-and-medication-guide/.