There are also a wide variety of tests which are used to assess the abuse of opioid medication, and the most common test is the urine drug test. The urine drug test is preferred by most physicians because if offers a non-protruding and cheap way to gain results. It is also extremely sensitive to the use of opioids. The urine drug test can detect opioid levels in the body one to three days after the first exposure to the drug. According to Starrels, the urine drug test provides objective documentation of treatment and also offers a screening method for opioid abuse in patients with chronic pain. () Another measure that has assisted medical professional in the efforts to reduce the opioid abuse is the monitoring of the practices in prescription
