Drug screening is becoming more common as employers enforce safer measures to reduce accidents. The use of illegal drugs has endangered many lives in workplaces. Likewise, even though alcohol consumption is acceptable, intoxication at work can also bring harm and safety risks. Therefore, it is crucial to rule out alcohol and drug use to minimise hazards. Thus, drug screening is one of the effective measures of risk management. However, since drug and alcohol use is prevalent, many ask, can alcohol in drug screening get detected?

Drug and alcohol screening is the process of collecting biological samples to determine exposure to impairing substances. Through a workplace policy, the employer can execute drug testing on all employees. In particular, the standard tests include examining the urine, blood, breath, and saliva for drug and alcohol use. For example, when you take drugs or alcohol, they stay in the system for certain periods before the body can completely metabolise them. A drug screening can trace the presence of illegal drugs, including improper use of prescription medicines. In addition, since many tests can detect both alcohol and drugs, many companies include alcohol in drug screenings. It is an efficient way to ensure a totally hazard-free work environment. 

Alcohol in Drug Screening: Impacts of Alcohol at Work

Many people consume alcohol regularly. In moderate amounts, alcohol creates pleasing or euphoric effects. Particularly, it elevates the mood and lowers inhibitions. However, alcohol can quickly impair cognitive and motor functions in high doses. For example, it affects vision, hearing, reasoning and coordination. So, the more you consume alcohol, the higher your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is. In the workplace, people with high BAC levels pose maximum risks. Impairment leads to decreased abilities in operating equipment safely. As a result, alcohol and illegal drugs are the leading factors for accidents or injuries at work. Moreover, they affect workflow, attendance, and overall productivity. Therefore, including alcohol in drug screening can help maintain a safe and healthy environment. 

Alcohol in Drug Screening

Mainly, laboratories perform urine analysis or mouth swab tests to detect drug exposure. A workplace test identifies the most used drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamines, amphetamines, cannabis, opiates, and benzodiazepines. Although alcohol does not show up in standard drug tests, the employer may request to include alcohol in drug screening. The employer must consult with an accredited laboratory to find out the best programs to test both alcohol and illegal drugs. The most prominent test procedures are:

• Alcohol breath test – A breath test through a breathalyser can detect alcohol and determine the BAC level. 
• Urine analysis  – Most common form of alcohol and drug testing. A urine test can show the presence of drugs, alcohol, or metabolites. In particular, metabolites are residue that remains in the body long after exposure to substances. In addition, it is the least invasive and most acceptable form of employment drug test. 
• Oral fluid test – saliva or mouth swab test can detect alcohol for 12 to 24 hours and drugs for 24 to 26 hours. If a urine test is not possible, an oral fluid test is suitable. 
• Hair follicle test – The hair test has a wider detect window and can trace substance use for 90 days. Therefore, it is the best indicator for recreational drug use. Specifically, it can determine when a drug was used, how long it was used, and periods of abstinence. 
• Blood sample test –  A blood test is the most accurate test. However, it is also the most invasive of all. 

Breath Tests

Urine, oral fluid, or blood sample tests can detect alcohol in drug screenings. However, it costs more and consumes time before returning the results. In contrast, a breath test through a breathalyser is cost-efficient to detect alcohol concentration or intoxication. A breathalyser is a portable device used for alcohol screening in workplaces or roadside inspections. It uses sensor technology to measure the amount or volume of alcohol in the blood. For instance, you may use a professional breathalyser like BACtrack to check the employees’ alcohol levels. If the breathalyser shows a positive BAC result, you have the option to confirm it through urine or blood test. In particular, the blood test is a suitable follow-up test to confirm the initial positive test results. 

Alcohol in Drug Screening: Benefits and Applications

With many untoward incidents affecting many companies, implementing a workplace program is critical to managing safety risks effectively. In addition, employers must provide a safe working environment to protect the well-being of all workers. Thus, checking for alcohol in drug screening is one way to counter substance abuse. In particular, high-risk industries have robust monitoring systems to ensure that their workers are in top condition. For example, mining, construction, manufacturing, aviation, healthcare, and transportation sectors have zero-tolerance policies. Therefore, there should be no alcohol or illegal drugs in an employee’s system. For instance, some workplaces even require employees to perform a breath test before entering the premises. A handheld or wall-mounted breathalyser can efficiently measure the BAC in just a few seconds. 

The employer may execute workplace testing in particular instances. For example, examining alcohol in drug screening can help deter alcohol use. When employees feel their safety is a priority, their morale increases and perform better. In addition, regular screening decreases absenteeism and stabilises the workforce. As a result, the workplace has lesser downtime and increased output. The common reasons for conducting alcohol and drug tests are:

• Hiring new employees 
• After an accident or injury 
• Suspicion of being under the influence 
• Returning to work 

BACtrack Breathalysers: An Efficient Screening Tool

Alcohol and illegal drug use continue to affect the general welfare of the community. In particular, excessive alcohol consumption is one of the factors of road collisions in Australia. People who do not monitor their BAC have a higher risk of getting into a road crash. For instance, intoxication results in blurry vision, slow reaction times, and uncoordinated movements in driving. So, if you drive with a high BAC level, you would either get into a crash or be pulled over by the police. If your BAC exceeds the legal limit (0.05%), you will face criminal charges and penalties. In line with this, the BACtrack workplace or personal breathalyser can be an efficient tool for monitoring alcohol consumption. Using a breathalyser or detecting alcohol in drug screening can help reduce any untoward incidents. 

A laboratory examination may be costly and time-consuming. Thus, determining alcohol in drug screening may not always be available. However, a breath test through a breathalyser is a practical way to ensure workplace sobriety. In particular, operating the BACtrack workplace breathalyser is simple and easy. It has a one-button operations system and it can quickly estimate your BAC. Simply press the power button and give a long blow at the signal. The device analyses the breath sample and displays the BAC results within 10 to 15 seconds. The BACtrack breathalysers utilise fuel cell sensors, which have the highest precision in breath alcohol tests. You can find a comprehensive range of BACtrack alcohol testers at Breathalysers Australia.