The short detection window is particularly problematic when there is weekly or less frequent contact with patients, as is often the case in office-based and outpatient treatment. While this method has good sensitivity and specificity for detection of recent drug use, its limitations include the difficulty of obtaining a spontaneous sample, patient complaints that it is invasive and embarrassing ( Taylor et al., 1998), and its relatively short window for detection of recent drug use (2 to 3 days for opiates or cocaine). Urine toxicology testing has been the most commonly practiced method of drug screening in the workplace, criminal justice, and drug treatment settings for the past two decades ( Caplan & Goldberger, 2001). Although urine testing remains the standard for drug use monitoring, sweat testing could provide a convenient, less invasive method with a longer detection window.
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