Toxicology is the study of adverse effects of chemicals on living organisms. General toxicology is typically associated with environmental toxins and poisons such as ethylene glycol, heavy metals, pesticides, and carbon monoxide. However, drugs of abuse (DOA) are usually considered part of the clinical toxicology laboratory's test menu as they are chemicals that have adverse effects on humans.
This course will focus on DOA testing in the clinical laboratory and specifically in the context of pain management. DOA testing in non-medical settings, including employment testing and legal testing is not within the scope of this course.
