SAEDNEWS: In Iran, morphine testing is permitted for marriage procedures and some job requirements. Modern laboratories now offer a range of drug screenings, including morphine, cannabis, amphetamines, methamphetamine, benzodiazepines, methadone, and codeine.
According to Saed News website and Behdasht News, drug addiction testing—similar to a criminal record clearance certificate—is often required for employment. Many employers ask employees to provide these two legal documents as part of their professional resume.
However, a negative drug test does not definitively prove that a person is free from addiction, nor does a positive result always confirm addiction. There are several reasons for this limitation, which are discussed below.
In any case, addiction is one of the major crises facing society today. Addressing this issue requires cultural awareness, long-term planning, changes in lifestyle patterns, and eliminating environmental factors that contribute to substance use.
From the perspective of traditional Iranian medicine, many diseases are associated with an imbalance of coldness and dryness in the body, and addiction to narcotics is no exception. Opium (derived from poppy, also known as “Kooknar”) is one of the most commonly used narcotics.
In traditional medicine, opium is considered warm in nature at first but becomes cold in effect over time. Users often experience pleasure or euphoria (known as intoxication). Increasing doses of opioids can cause this euphoric state, while decreasing levels lead to withdrawal symptoms.
From this viewpoint, euphoria is associated with a warm temperament, while withdrawal is associated with coldness and dryness. As coldness increases in the addicted person’s body, the craving for the substance also increases, leading to repeated use.
Therefore, approaches such as locking up an addicted person for a few days cannot effectively treat addiction. Addiction is considered a medical condition, and without proper treatment, relapse is highly likely.
Some herbal or advertised “miracle” addiction treatments may actually contain methadone or other addictive substances, making them ineffective or even harmful.
Modern laboratory tests can detect various substances, including:
Morphine
Cannabis (hashish)
Amphetamines (e.g., methamphetamine)
Benzodiazepines
Methadone
Codeine and other opioids
Some attempts to manipulate test results—such as diluting urine samples—can be detected through creatinine levels and urine acidity.
Opium and its derivatives (morphine and heroin) may remain detectable in blood and urine for up to 21 days. Codeine and acetaminophen typically leave the body within 48 hours.
The idea that drug test results can reliably be falsified using medications or special foods is largely a myth. While substances leave the body at different rates, modern testing methods are highly accurate.
A negative result does not necessarily mean a person is not addicted. Conversely, a positive result may sometimes be due to prescribed medications rather than substance abuse. Therefore, test results should always be interpreted carefully and in context.
Drug tests are designed to detect the presence of substances in the body and are mainly used to monitor treatment progress. They are not intended for “catching” individuals. Ethical guidelines state that such tests should ideally be performed with the patient’s consent and for medical purposes.
No diagnostic test is 100% accurate. False positives or false negatives can occur due to drug interactions or individual differences.
For example:
Ibuprofen may interfere with cannabis test results
Some antibiotics may affect opioid-related tests
Cold medications, antihistamines, or painkillers may influence amphetamine screening
However, antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications generally do not interfere with standard drug tests when taken as prescribed.
Nicotine and its metabolites can remain detectable in urine for 2 to 4 days after smoking. Special tests can identify tobacco use, although they are not yet widely used in some countries.
According to Article 648 of Iran’s Islamic Penal Code, professionals who disclose confidential information without legal permission may face imprisonment or fines.
