Session 9: Clinical vs. Forensic Drug Testing
Presenter: Amy Miles, RTL, and Julie Seitz
June 9, 2026 | 12 p.m. ET | 75 minutes

Drug testing is one of the most frequently used and most frequently misunderstood tools in treatment court settings. When used appropriately, drug testing can provide valuable clinical information to guide treatment decisions. When misused or misinterpreted, it can lead to inappropriate sanctions, erosion of the therapeutic alliance, ethical conflicts for providers, and poor outcomes for participants.
This session clarifies the critical distinctions between clinical and forensic drug testing, including differences in purpose, methodology, interpretation, and professional responsibility. Participants will review ASAM guidance on the appropriate use of drug testing and explore how courts’ expectations sometimes push treatment providers beyond their ethical scope of practice.
Using case examples, including false positives, misapplied results, and harmful court responses, participants will develop a clearer understanding of how to interpret drug testing results responsibly and communicate findings to court teams in a way that protects both clients and professional integrity.

Learning Objectives
1. Differentiate between clinical and forensic drug testing in terms of purpose, methodology, interpretation, and ethical responsibility.
2. Explain ASAM guidance regarding the appropriate clinical use of drug testing in addiction treatment.
3. Describe the ethical and professional risks of requiring treatment providers to function in forensic roles.