Drug And Alcohol Screening Perth: Considerations When Searching For One

Drug and alcohol screening in Perth is vital for maintaining community safety. There are several factors to consider when searching for one. Firstly, the type of test. Options include blood, hair, breath, saliva, and urine screenings. Secondly, accuracy and reliability. Each test provides accurate results when using the correct panels within each of their detection windows. Lastly, turnaround time. Some lab tests offer a 24-48 hour turnaround for results.

Generally, tests can detect substances such as ethanol, cocaine, marijuana, and opioids. They help identify those with substance use disorders. Companies, especially those in high-risk industries, perform substance screenings to ensure workplace safety and mitigate legal risks. Additionally, law enforcement uses them to keep the roads safe from intoxicated drivers. This article will present the types of tests, their accuracy, reliability, and turnaround times, and handling results of substance use screenings.

Drug and Alcohol Screening in Perth: Types of Tests

Several tests are available when conducting drug and alcohol screening in Perth. Firstly, urine testing is one of the most commonly used tests for drugs and alcohol. It uses urine samples to detect substances within 24 hours of consumption. Additionally, using ethyl glucuronide (EtG) tests, the detection window is extended up to 80 hours.

Secondly, mouth swab tests are often done during onsite testing. The saliva collection procedure uses a swab stick to get saliva samples inside the cheek or under the tongue. It has a detection window of 12 hours. Thirdly, hair follicle tests have a detection window of 90 days. It is the lengthiest period and provides information on substance intake history.

Fourthly, blood tests require blood samples drawn from the arm or fingers. Typically, it detects substances for up to 12 hours. However, Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) tests may trace alcohol for weeks. Lastly, breath alcohol tests use breath samples to measure the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) levels. Breathalysers may detect alcohol consumption for up to 24 hours.

Commonly Detected Substances

Screenings detect a wide range of substances, depending on the panels. These are some of the most commonly tested substances:

• Ethanol is one of the main ingredients of alcoholic beverages. Its metabolites are commonly tested in screenings.
• Marijuana contains cannabinoids that cause psychoactive effects. It is a popular recreational drug worldwide.
• Cocaine is a powerful stimulant drug made from the leaves of a coca plant.
• Amphetamines are stimulant drugs that are used for treating ailments such as narcolepsy.
• Opioids affect the opioid receptors and are primarily used for pain relief.
• Ecstasy is a potent stimulant that also causes psychedelic effects.

Drug and Alcohol Screening in Perth: Accuracy and Reliability

The accuracy and reliability of drug and alcohol screening in Perth are vital for many industries. This includes high-risk industries, law enforcement, and medical settings. Substance screenings ensure safety and identify those with risks for substance use disorder. Several factors may affect the results of the tests.

Using a reliable testing service is crucial for obtaining accurate results. They must have an experienced team of collectors who follow strict protocols for collection and analysis. This avoids contamination and tampering of the samples. Additionally, each test has different levels of accuracy. Blood tests are commonly regarded as the most accurate screenings. However, they are also quite costly in comparison to others.

All tests may provide accurate results if the last intake falls within their detection windows. Moreover, factors such as the metabolism rate and amount of substance consumed may affect the result. Current health conditions, age, gender, and body type can also influence the outcome. Lastly, some professionals advise diversified testing for more accurate results.

Price Range and Contributing Factors to Cost

Typically, the price range for laboratory testing services falls between $50 to $200 per test. The price depends on several factors. Firstly, the type of test. Typically, urine and saliva tests are less expensive options compared to blood and hair screenings. Secondly, the number of substances for tracing may result in additional costs.

Thirdly, the equipment used during the test may contribute to higher prices. Lastly, the reputation of the testing service may also contribute to the price of the tests. Some may benefit from owning personal alcohol breath tests for convenient monitoring of liquor consumption.

Drug and Alcohol Screening in Perth: Handling Results and Turnaround Time

The turnaround time for results of drug and alcohol screening in Perth may take 24-48 hours at the earliest. However, this varies depending on the complexity of the report. Some analyses may take weeks, depending on the equipment used. Thus, confirming with the laboratory is crucial to understanding the possible timeline for results.

Furthermore, having a clear timeline helps the employee and employer with the results. There must be strict confidentiality to follow legal requirements. Moreover, providing support and treatment options is crucial for those with substance abuse problems. Companies should have employee assistance programs in the drug and alcohol policy to help workers identified with substance use disorders. This helps reduce accidents and promotes workplace safety and productivity.

Those with substance use disorders should get help from health professionals. These professionals may use the results of the tests to tailor treatment plans for their recovery. Typically, this entails detoxification and behavioural therapy. Counselling and support groups are some methods they use to prevent relapse.

Possibility of a False Positive Result

Tests do not provide 100% accuracy. A false positive result refers to a situation wherein the individual did not consume the substance, but the test has come out as positive. Some environmental factors or health conditions may cause false positive results.

False positives may result in severe consequences for the individual. In the workplace, they may face disciplinary actions such as warnings, suspension, or termination. Furthermore, it may serve as evidence for law enforcement to confirm crimes like drink driving. Conducting confirmatory testing after the initial screening helps avoid false positives. It also protects innocent individuals from undue repercussions.

Conclusion

Drug and alcohol screening in Perth helps identify individuals with substance use disorders. Several tests are used to confirm intake of liquor, medication, and illicit drugs. These include hair, blood, breath, saliva and urine screenings. They detect a variety of substances, such as marijuana, opioids, and ecstasy. Generally, all tests provide accurate results within their detection windows. The cost of the tests may vary depending on the type and equipment used for analysis.

Handling results with confidentiality is vital for companies to follow legal requirements. A false positive result may have a severe impact on the individual. Ruling out false positives with confirmatory testing helps people avoid undue repercussions. Another helpful tip to prevent overconsuming alcohol is using personal breathalysers. These devices enable people to monitor and limit their intake of alcohol. Some reliable options are BACtrack breathalysers from Breathalysers Australia.