What is the main purpose of a drug screening test?

The main purpose of a drug screening test is to detect the presence of illegal or misused substances. These tests are specifically designed to identify drugs or their metabolites in a person's system, which can be crucial for various reasons, including medical evaluations, workplace drug testing, and compliance with legal or regulatory standards. By identifying whether an individual has used substances that may be harmful or illegal, professionals can make informed decisions regarding treatment, intervention, or other necessary actions.

While assessing mental health and evaluating social behavior are important components of a comprehensive evaluation for substance use issues, they are not the primary focus of drug screening tests. Additionally, ensuring compliance with treatment can be an indirect outcome of a drug test, but the test itself is fundamentally designed to provide a snapshot of an individual's substance use at a specific point in time, rather than to evaluate their overall treatment compliance.