A blood drug test is the technical analysis of the blood specimen for the presence of illicit substances, misused medications, and alcohol. Drugs are substances that can negatively impact a person’s health. The use of medications other than for medical purposes can damage vital organs and brain functions. Unfortunately, drug and alcohol use are among the leading causes of roadside and workplace accidents. Therefore, blood testing is vital in determining impairment in a person or health or safety risks.

Drug and alcohol tests serve many purposes. They are often conducted in roadside and workplace screenings to minimise risks. Likewise,  medical professionals use them in emergency situations, especially after an accident. Likewise, a blood test is essential in legal cases and drug treatment programs. This article will present information on how a blood test works, its preparation and procedures, and factors that may influence the test.

What Is a Blood Drug Test?

A blood drug test examines the specimen directly for drug compounds instead of metabolites. Therefore, experts agree it is the most accurate detection and analysis method. However, due to the high cost and invasiveness of obtaining a sample, it is only performed in emergencies and less in primary care settings. Unlike other methods, it requires a trained phlebotomist to administer the test. Additionally, substances in the blood work rapidly and are detectable within minutes to several hours.

Different drug types can stay in the blood for varying duration. Typically, they have a shorter detection window than a urine test, which can trace drug metabolites for several days. The period can be 72 hours or less, depending on the type, amount consumed, and frequency of use. For instance, tests can detect substances longer for chronic users. Moreover, the turnaround time is one to two business days, while it takes longer if confirmatory testing is needed.

Although blood testing is expensive and invasive, it is vital for obtaining accurate results. For example, a workplace may require a blood test after an incident or if the preliminary screening shows a positive result. It is also less likely to be tampered with because only a professional can perform the test. Furthermore, blood testing follows a strict chain of custody to ensure accuracy.

Commonly Abused Substances

A blood test can detect the following parent drugs from the last use:

• Ethanol – four weeks
• Amphetamine – 48 hours
• Methamphetamine – 24 to 72 hours
• Barbiturates – 24 to 48 hours
• Benzodiazepines – 1 to 12 days
• Marijuana/Cannabis – 6 to 24 hours
• Cocaine – 12 to 36 hours

Procedures During a Blood Drug Test

Blood drug testing is vital in cases where proof of recent substance use is needed. Examples of these are after a car accident where impaired driving is a suspected reason for the crash. Other instances are monitoring an individual undergoing a rehabilitation program and child custody cases. To take the test, a professional will insert a small needle from a vein in the arm and draw a small amount of blood into a test or vial.

It usually takes less than five minutes to complete the procedure, and there is no need to prepare when taking a blood test. However, some may feel a little sting after inserting the needle, while others may feel lightheaded. Moreover, individuals must inform the technician beforehand if they are taking over-the-counter or prescription medications. It is also best to avoid foods with poppy seeds, as they can appear as opiates in a drug test.

A blood drug test is usually safe and risk-free. It should only be administered by a licensed professional who follows strict guidelines for collecting, handling, and storing the sample. In addition, it uses a new and sterilised needle to avoid contamination or infection. However, blood testing can be challenging if the veins are hard to access or locate. A healthcare professional can advise what to do or avoid before the test.

Safety Procedures

A licensed technician observes the following protocols in conducting the test:

• Observe all applicable isolation procedure
• Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times
• Gloves are worn during blood drawing and changed between patient collections
• All needles are single-use and disposed of in the appropriate container

Factors That May Affect Blood Drug Tests

Several factors can affect the outcome of blood drug tests. The type of substance and frequency of use matter in detecting drugs in the system. Some substances metabolise more rapidly than others. Therefore, tests administered shortly after consumption are more likely to yield positive results. Furthermore, drug testing has standard cut-off levels to determine if a result is positive or negative. A test result is positive if a substance has reached the cut-off or threshold.

In general, it takes several hours to days for a drug to be eliminated from the body and become undetectable. It includes OTC, prescription, or illicit medications. How fast the body can process these substances depends on age, body mass, metabolic rate, hydration levels, and medical conditions. Therefore, drug metabolism differs between individuals. For example, it takes a longer time to process substances in older people.

Medications may also interact with food and alcohol, which can cause a positive blood test result. Similarly, conditions like diabetes can return a positive result for alcohol even if a person did not consume an alcoholic beverage. People with diabetes have high acetone levels, which can be read for ethanol. Additionally, blood testing can provide more detailed results than other methods. On the other hand, different procedures are suitable for various situations.

Alternative Procedures

• Urine test – less invasive and faster turnaround time.
• Oral fluid test – swabs the inside of the mouth for saliva to detect drugs. Police use it in roadside drug screening.
• Hair follicle test – detects drugs and alcohol for up to 90 days.
• Breath test – measures the Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) through a breathalyser.

Conclusion

A blood drug test is the most accurate test type as it analyses and quantifies the parent drug rather than its metabolites. However, because they are more expensive and intrusive, they are used for critical situations, such as after an accident. It is also essential in legal cases requiring sobriety monitoring, such as impaired driving or child custody procedures. Moreover, only trained professionals can administer the test.

It takes a careful approach to collect, handle, and store specimen samples for valid test results. Drugs can also react differently among individuals. For example, certain medications or conditions can cause false positives. Likewise, factors like the detection window for each drug, amount, frequency, and cut-off levels can impact drug test results. Finally, drug and alcohol testing aims to determine the specific causes of a health risk or accident. It also helps deter substance abuse, especially in monitoring programs.