Overview
An assay refers to a laboratory test used to measure the presence of some target, such as a drug, protein, or cell.
Qualitative assays are generally binary, reporting either the presence or absence of a target. Quantitative assays measure the relative concentration or absolute amount of a target.
In the context of addiction, assays are used as tests to detect specific drugs or their metabolites (the compounds that a drug breaks down into once it has been processed, or metabolized). They’re a standard part of initial clinical assessments to confirm which substances might be in a patient’s system as well as the relative concentration. Illicit substances, and even legal substances from companies that don’t comply with safety regulations, often have dangerous additives that the patient may not be aware of. Fentanyl is among the riskiest of these additives. Treatment providers use the results of these assays to calculate the initial detoxification plans and the medication dosages that are most appropriate for the patient’s condition. It also allows providers to check if patients are taking their medications as prescribed. In the case of multiple substances that might cross-react in ways that complicate assay results, advanced assays may be necessary.
Assays are also valuable from a legal perspective, as child custody cases, professional licensing boards, and probation all use assays to help determine if someone has been compliant with the requirements.
Just the act of random drug testing with assays can be a reliable psychological deterrant against use.