Test Question

Q: I am a high school senior preparing to enter collegiate sports. I would like to know exactly what drugs are picked up in the drug tests some colleges require their athletes to take.

A: There are more than 3,000 drugs banned by the NCAA - most of them the same drugs banned in the Olympics. Most colleges cannot afford to test for all these substances and let the NCAA bear the cost of testing during postseason play.

If your college does pre-season drug testing or random drug testing during the season, it will most likely test for commonly abused drugs like marijuana, cocaine, heroin, amphetamines, and barbiturates - not alcohol or nicotine. Because of the expense of testing for anabolic steroids ($150-$200), this test is usually left to the NCAA.

With the exception of marijuana, steroids, and some barbiturates, most of these drugs clear the system in two or three days. The time needed to eliminate marijuana varies depending on several factors, including body fat percentage and quantity of use.

A chronic marijuana user may need as long as a month of abstinence to test negative on a urine test, although 20 days is usually considered sufficient. Even an occasional user may test positive for as long as five to 10 days after a single smoking session.

Some anabolic steroids are detectable as long as nine months after their use. Barbiturates, like phenobarbital or Valium, can be detected for one or two weeks. Caffeine is also a banned substance, but you would have to drink about eight cups of strong coffee to reach the necessary level. However, it is not difficult to reach this level if you use an over-the-counter preparation like NoDoz.

Most over-the-counter cold preparations (Sudafed, Contac, Alka-Seltzer Plus, etc.) contain banned substances, as do many prescription medications. The coach, team trainer, or physician should go over your school's procedures before you are tested. Consult with them before you take any medications prior to any college or NCAA drug testing.

About the authors: Carol L. Otis, M.D., is Chief Medical Advisor to the Sanex WTA and a UCLA student health physician. Roger Goldingay is a former professional soccer player. They are married and the co-authors of The Athletic Woman's Survival Guide.

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