What is a urine test and how are they used for drug testing?

A urine test, also known as a urine drug test, involves analyzing a person's urine sample to detect the presence of certain drugs or their by-products. This type of test is commonly used in the workplace, by sports organizations, and in the criminal justice system to determine whether someone has recently used drugs.

Urine drug tests can detect many drugs, including amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, opioids, and phencyclidine (PCP). The specific drugs tested depend on the individual's situation and the reason for the test. For example, a pre-employment drug test may screen for a different set of drugs than a test conducted as part of a criminal investigation.