Drug of Abuse Testing Services Market Size, Share, and Growth Forecast for 2025 - 2032

A newly released Drug of Abuse Testing Services Market analysis report by Persistence Market Research shows that global sales of the Drug of Abuse Testing Services Market in 2024 were held at US$ 3,578.10 Mn. With 5.4%, the projected market growth during 2025 - 2032 is expected to be significantly higher than the historical growth. Cannabis/Marijuana is expected to be the highest revenue-generating segment, projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.6% during 2025 – 2032.

As per the Drug of Abuse Testing Services Market research by Persistence Market Research - a market research and competitive intelligence provider, historically, from 2019 to 2024, the market value of the Drug of Abuse Testing Services Market increased at around 4.2% CAGR.

A drug abuse test helps in the identification of the presence of drugs by taking samples through non-invasive techniques and is widely used across various organizations.

The increasing frequency of opioid dependency among the older population will drive up demand for drug testing services. Apart from this, sales of drug abuse testing kits are predicted to increase due to strong demand for speedy and accurate drug testing equipment in forensic laboratories, hospitals, and senior citizen care centers.

Adding to it, substance use disorders have arisen as a societal burden. Annual surveys of drug and substance use in families, schools, and workplaces serve as one of the key sources of information indicating illicit drug usage in many regions of the world.

The growing prevalence of prescription medication misuse underscores the significance of appropriate testing and abuse detection. SUDs have high comorbidity with mental diseases and physical health problems. Rising awareness of the high use of illegal drugs and overdoses from prescription pharmaceuticals will drive demand for drug of abuse testing systems even further.

Aside from this, the growing desire for on-the-spot and disposable testing methods for the speedy detection of drug misuse is projected to boost sales of drug of abuse testing instruments.

Furthermore, as the number of drug-related deaths continues to climb and new psychoactive substances develop, drug delivery methods evolve as well. There has been a significant increase in cannabis vaping among teenagers and adolescents. Furthermore, the COVID-19 epidemic has resulted in drug overdoses and changes in drug use practices among the homebound.

Real-time data gathering will allow for a thorough assessment of drug usage as well as the availability of on-the-ground epidemiologic studies in high-priority regions of concern. Such advancements and the deployment of innovative drug of abuse testing criteria are likely to drive drug of abuse testing sales during the assessment period.

Moreover, chronic pain is more prevalent and difficult among the elderly. Opioid medicines are often provided to patients for pain treatment. Regular opioid use, on the other hand, leads to addiction, which forces patients to turn to cheaper medicines.

Aside from this, the growing use of recreational marijuana for chronic pain treatment is exacerbating addiction issues. Ongoing research and clinical trials suggest that medicinal marijuana can help with sleep hygiene, malnutrition, depression, and other cancer-related side effects.

Marijuana use for medical or recreational purposes has also been associated with depression, decreased memory, negative cardiovascular functioning, and changed judgment, and motor abilities in the elderly. Cannabinoids can potentially interact with other prescription medications, complicating pre-existing health difficulties in the elderly.

As the prevalence of opioid addiction rises, healthcare experts and other medical institutions are conducting frequent testing and screenings of the elderly to detect indicators of drug usage at an early stage. This is projected to increase demand for drug testing techniques and technology in hospitals and diagnostics.

The pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors have grown at a significant pace in recent years and are projected to undergo significant changes as a result of the coronavirus. Rapid advancements in the healthcare and medical sectors, improvements in healthcare infrastructure and facilities, growing healthcare spending, and increased acceptance of telemedicine and ambulatory care services are driving market expansion.

Drug abuse mapping has its own set of problems that impede the prospects of research in substance misuse epidemiology to provide current remedies to drug addiction epidemics. Furthermore, it is critical to identify risk variables that are linked to individual vulnerability to SUDs, including as genetics, social, and environmental risk factors. The absence of defined guidelines for workplace drug misuse testing is one of the primary problems impeding market expansion. Furthermore, the legalization of illicit substances and drugs, the inability of testing kits to detect low-dose designer drugs, the scarcity of trained laboratory professionals will stymie the market growth.

Which Region is projected to Offer the Largest Opportunity for Drug of Abuse Testing Services Market?

In 2024, North America held the largest share in global drug of abuse testing services market. Rising drug addiction cases, particularly in the United States and Canada, as well as government initiatives and financing to combat drug misuse, are key drivers for market expansion. Furthermore, the adoption of technologically advanced goods, large-scale drug trafficking, and a stringent regulatory framework are driving market revenue growth in North America.

In Asia Pacific, governments in countries like India and China, are increasing their expenditure and efforts to combat substance misuse and hence the demand for drug of abuse testing is high in Asian region. Furthermore, increasing attempts to increase testing capabilities are fuelling market expansion.

U.S. Drug of Abuse Testing Services Market Analysis

The United States is expected to have the highest market of US$ 1.8 Bn by the end of 2032. The market in the country has surged at a considerable CAGR of 5.9% during 2019-2024.

The rising frequency of opioid addiction in the United States is projected to drive the demand for drug of abuse testing instruments and equipment. Substance addiction rates in the country increased significantly during COVID-19, with more people becoming hooked on cannabis for stress and anxiety alleviation.

Manufacturers are introducing effective and reliable drug of abuse testing kits in response to the rising drug dependence among individuals in the United States. Along with new product introductions, major manufacturers are partnering with research institutes and local governments to raise awareness about drug usage. This is likely to drive sales of drug abuse testing in the United States throughout the forecast period.

U.K. Drug of Abuse Testing Services Market Analysis

The market in the U.K. is expected to reach a valuation of US$ 204 Mn by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 6.3% during 2025 – 2032. The market is projected to gross an absolute dollar opportunity of US$ 92 Mn during the forecast period.

Japan Drug of Abuse Testing Services Market Analysis

In Japan, the market is expected to reach a valuation of US$ 232 Mn by 2032. During the forecast period, the market in the country is expected to garner an absolute dollar opportunity of US$ 107 Mn, growing at a CAGR of 6.4%.

South Korea Drug of Abuse Testing Services Market Analysis

The market in South Korea is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.1% during 2025 – 2032. During this period, the market is projected to witness an absolute dollar opportunity of US$ 59 Mn and reach US$ 133.6 Mn by 2032.

Which Drug Type is expected to propel maximum growth for Drug of Abuse Testing Services providers?

Cannabis/Marijuana commanded the largest revenue share and grew at a CAGR of 5.6% during 2019-2024. The majority of people extensively consume marijuana, and it is largely acknowledged as a recreational drug that is "less hazardous" than other narcotics such as alcohol, nicotine, and painkillers. Cannabinoids' increasing popularity can be related to their acceptability in modern culture. Marijuana overdoses have been reduced since it is seen as "less hazardous." Consumption of marijuana, even for recreational purposes, is banned in certain countries. Marijuana addiction is uncommon, but excessive usage can lead to dementia and cardiovascular and respiratory problems.

What is the impact of Covid-19 on the Drug Discovery Informatics Market?

Covid-19 had a detrimental effect on the drug of abuse testing market, hampering its growth, due to societal restrictions and other precautionary measures implemented in reaction to COVID-19. Drug trafficking is primarily reliant on legal trade to conceal its actions, as well as on people being able to deliver narcotics to customers. The efforts put in place by governments to combat the COVID-19 epidemic have unavoidably had an impact on all elements of the illegal drug markets, from drug manufacture and trafficking to drug use.

Between 2016 and 2020, the need for drug testing equipment increased dramatically. However, sales prospects were hampered by the onset of the unique COVID-19 pandemic. Supply chain disruptions and a lack of raw materials affected the manufacturing and marketing of drug of abuse testing equipment and instruments.

To obtain a competitive advantage, major participants in the worldwide drug of abuse testing market are offering law enforcement agencies with training on the detection and management of illicit narcotics via internet services. Over the projected period, such activities are likely to provide profitable prospects for drug of abuse testing players. Some of the key players in the drug of abuse testing market include Quest Diagnostics, Abbott Laboratories, Cordant Health Solutions, Omega Laboratories, Mayo Clinic Laboratories, Air Methods, ALPHASTAR, Clinical Reference Laboratory, Inc., Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, Cordant Health Solutions, Legacy Medical Services, LLC, DrugScan, and Psychemedics Corporation.

Some of the recent developments of key Drug of Abuse Testing Services providers are as follows:

• In December 2020, Confirm BioSciences, one of the key providers of comprehensive screening tools and solutions, was acquired by Clinical Reference Laboratory, assisting in the expansion of Confirm's access to lab testing services and research and development capabilities, which can help CRL due to Confirm's large customer base in drug abuse testing.
• In April 2020, Cordant Health Solutions launched a telemedicine-based oral fluid drug testing solution to help people suffering from substance use disorder and receive crucial treatment.

Similarly, recent developments related to the companies in the Drug of Abuse Testing Services Market have been tracked by the team at Persistence Market Research, which is available in the full report.