OTC and Prescription Drug Abuse Slideshow Pictures Health Risks of Alcohol Abuse Slideshow Pictures

Exams and Tests

The doctor will determine what substances have been abused and will ask what symptoms prompted the person to seek care. The doctor will then perform a physical examination to evaluate for possible organ damage.

• Laboratory studies are directed to evaluate for specific organ damage.

• Drug screening tests are readily available for some agents. Other substances can be detected with specialized tests at only a few laboratories in the country. Some agents cannot be detected by laboratory evaluation. There may be little benefit from drug testing.