We all have this pre-conceived notion that only coffee contains caffeine but that is not the case. Beverages like cokes and chocolate products contain caffeine. A hot cup of coffee with the morning sunshine sounds so tempting and revitalizing.

It has the ability to keep you awake and help burn that midnight oil in time of dire need. Coffee becomes a matter for social gathering. It helps you socialize by letting you bump into one of your colleagues in the office which otherwise wouldn’t have happened.

It is being considered as one of your friend as it has helped you sit up late at night and clear those grueling Math’s papers. With all the usefulness one can think of we also happen to know that coffee contains caffeine which is not good for your health.

Having coffee can help you remain alert but it is the aftermath you should be worried about the ill effects it has on your health. It is a stimulus which does wonders to your central nervous system by stressing the hormones in the blood stream and keeping you alert and awake whenever you have it.

This unnatural way of keeping your body alert takes a toll on your body. The normal way of functioning gets disrupted due to the intake of coffee or any other product which contains good amount of caffeine.

As caffeine gets into our system it makes us addicted. After knowing the ill effects of caffeine if you suddenly stop taking coffee, you will face caffeine withdrawal symptoms which can be anything from a headache, irritability, fatigue, constipation, lack of appetite, lack of concentration to even forgetfulness.

The withdrawal symptoms can be very harmful leading to stomach ulcers as the coffee can be acidic. This excess acid gets into your blood streams causing loss of calcium in urine. Caffeine which has been freely used in most of the beverages has led kids get addicted to it. The high content of sugar just makes it very popular among children which are the future generation with excess weight.

It is also the cause of abnormal fast, slow or irregular heartbeats. It is also known for increasing blood pressure which leads to constant stress and hypertension. There are increasing chances of heart disease; pancreas and bladder cancer which we all know can be very fatal.

The idea to quit caffeine should be very strong and not one to tampered with. The process should be slow and gradual. As we all know the withdrawal symptoms of caffeine is very bad. Avoid other caffeinated products which would just make matters worse. If you happen to drink 6 cups coffee a day cut it down. Try to have 2 cups green tea and 4 cups coffee and similarly as you go ahead you will completely stop till you got rid of caffeine from your life.

Are the rapid drug tests as accurate as GC/MS?

Our drug tests are qualitative, which means it only determines the presence of drugs at detection limits comparable to SAMHSA cut-off concentration. GC/MS, which costs more, quantifies the concentration of drugs in the sample. Given the purposes of most drug testing (pre-employment, post-accident, random) is to detect the presence of drug use and not determine the amounts ingested, our rapid drug test satisfies the needs of almost all Drug Screening Programs.

What is the shelf life of the on-site test devices?

Our test devices have a shelf life of 18 months from the date of manufacture. The expiration date of each Lot of devices is indicated on each individual foil pouch and can be used up until that date.

Do the results hold up in court?

Rapid Drug test provides only a preliminary analytical test result. A more specific alternate chemical method must be used in order to obtain a confirmed analytical result- gas chromatography / mass spectrometry (GC/MS) is the preferred confirmatory method. Any result taken to court, must be confirmed.

What are the screening cutoff concentrations?

The screening cutoff concentrations of our tests are consistent with those of SAMHSA. Those cutoff levels are as follows:

Amphetamines - 1000 ng/ml

Barbiturates - 300 ng/ml

Benzodiazepines - 300 ng/ml

Cannabis - 50 ng/ml

Cocaine - 300 ng/ml

Methadone - 300 ng/ml

Methamphetamines - 1000 ng/ml

Opiates - 2000 ng/ml

PCP - 25 ng/ml

Tricyclic Antidepressants - 1000 ng/ml

How long do drugs stay in the system?

Amphetamines - 2-6 days

Barbiturates - 3-8 days

Benzodiazepines - 2-14 days

Cannabis - 14-30 days

Cocaine - 2-5 days

Methadone - 2-8 days

Methamphetamines - 2-6 days

Opiates - 2-5 days

PCP - 3-8 days

Tricyclic Antidepressants - 10 days

How accurate are your drug tests?

Laboratory test results for drugs of abuse have indicated a greater than 97% accuracy when used according to the instructions.

Will commonly used substances such as vitamins, penicillin, aspirin, caffeine and acetaminophen (Tylenol), affect the results?

No. Our tests are drug and drug metabolite specific.These commonly taken substances are chemically and structurally different after being metabolized by the body from the drugs being tested for and therefore, under most circumstances, not interfere with or compromise test results.

Are there any legal medications that can trigger positive results?

Yes. The most common problem is the pseudoephedrine in many over-the-counter sinus and cold medications, which can cause a positive result for methamphetamine. A GC/MS confirmation as well as a MRO review is necessary to determine the source of the positive result. Some forms of the drugs we test for may be available legally under prescription as well.

What is the difference between Methamphetamine and Amphetamine?

Both amphetamine and methamphetamine are potent symphathominetic agents. Methamphetamine is the parent drug. It metabolizes into amphetamine in the body. Methamphetamine and/or amphetamine are excreted in the urine.

Are Morphine, Opiates, and Heroin the same kind of drug?

Yes, they are all tested using the Opiates test. These drugs are from the same family of drugs.

When a large quantity of alcohol is consumed, usually over a short period of time, alcohol poisoning can result. The human body is capable of processing 1 to 1.5 ounces of alcohol in an hour. This is the amount usually contained in a standard drink – a 12 ounce bottle of beer, a five ounce glass of wine, or one mixed drink (however, many mixed drinks and punches contain far greater quantities of alcohol).

It is well known that alcohol is a depressant and dulls or weakens functioning abilities of the nerves which control an individual’s breathing, heartbeat and gag reflex. The gag reflex is activated when the body cannot process all of the alcohol consumed. What it cannot process, is vomited out, due to the gag reflex. When the gag reflex is weak, the body absorbs even the extra alcohol, which otherwise it would excrete as vomit. In extreme cases, this can cause alcohol poisoning.

The following are the symptoms that indicate possible alcohol poisoning:

1. The person is unconscious

2. The person is taking in less than 12 breaths per minute, or no breaths at all for up to 10 seconds at a time.

3. The skin/lips are cold and turning blue in color

If you happen to be with someone displaying the symptoms of alcohol poisoning, you should call for emergency help immediately. In the meanwhile, turn the person over to their side in order to prevent them from choking if they happen to vomit in the state of unconsciousness.

Other symptoms to be watched out for in a person who has been drinking too much are:

1. Slurred speech

2. Difficulty walking or standing up

3. Unpredictable behavior

4. Inability to make eye contact or continue a conversation

5. A lot of vomiting and feeling ill

At the hospital, the patient suffering from alcohol poisoning may undergo a stomach wash, where a saline solution is used to wash and pump out its contents. Alcohol poisoning is a serious effect of excessive drinking and can be fatal if not attended to in time.

There is a common understanding that mixing drinks will make you more drunk. For example mixing beer with, say vodka. However, mixing alcoholic drinks will not make one more or less drunk. What is important is the amount of alcohol consumed in a specific amount of time. But, combinations of certain beverages may cause the drinker’s stomach to get upset. Each individual should keenly watch their body’s own reactions and drink accordingly.

Alcohol poisoning or even unpleasant drunken behavior can be avoided by taking the following simple precautions:

1. Take your drink slowly

2. Sip your drink, don’t swallow big gulps

3. Dilute your drinks

4. Avoid undiluted shots

5. Take alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks alternately

6. Be on a full stomach before you begin drinking