[i]Now, nearly two years later, we are seeing the tragic effects of this triple-threat of COVID-19, worsened mental health and increased drug misuse. One of these tools is clinical drug testing. [iv]Despite this, 88% of physicians report feeling confident they can identify patients at risk for drug misuse. Yet nearly half of patients tested by Quest show signs of misuse, and half of those patients show signs of drug combining. We Need to Get Patients Back to CareNow that stay-at-home orders appear to be easing, organizations that recommended postponing nonessential medical care (including drug testing) in early 2020 should remind clinicians of the utility of drug testing.

Source: New York Times November 23, 2021 16:42 UTC