When people look for drug and alcohol testing facilities near me, they must not only consider the location. They must reflect on several factors to ensure the quality of the results instead of choosing the closest clinic location. Factors include accuracy, cost, types of test, and turnaround time. Generally, laboratories offer flexible testing options, including blood, hair, saliva, and urine testing. These are accurate tests, costing between $50 to $200 each. Typically, the turnaround time is 24 to 48 hours.

However, this may vary depending on the complexity and amount of requests. Alcohol and drug screening services should offer fair prices and maintain the accuracy of their results. The results are helpful for various industries, such as construction and mining. They also deter the misuse of liquor, medication, and illegal drugs. This article will present the factors to consider when choosing drug and alcohol testing services, such as accuracy, cost, types of tests, and turnaround times.

Drug and Alcohol Testing Facilities Near Me: Accuracy and Cost

When one looks for drug and alcohol testing facilities near me, accuracy and costs are crucial factors. Accurate laboratory testing is essential for many industries, such as law enforcement, construction, mining, and transportation. It ensures workplace health and safety. Moreover, it helps identify those suffering from substance abuse.

Using a reliable testing service is essential for obtaining accurate results. They must have an experienced team of qualified collectors who maintain strict standards and follow protocols. Strict protocols prevent tampering and contamination of samples. Additionally, the panels and equipment used in screening analysis influence the accuracy and cost of the test. Generally, each lab test may cost between $50 to $200.

Furthermore, different tests offer different detection windows after the last substance intake. Exceeding those windows may provide a false negative result. In addition, several individual factors also affect how quickly the body eliminates the substance. Factors include the type and amount of substance consumed, age, gender, body type, and health condition. Thus, some may benefit from conducting confirmatory testing for more reliable reports.

Factors that May Influence the Price

Several factors may influence the price of the lab test. These are some of them:

• The type of test taken will affect the total costs. Generally, hair and blood tests are more expensive compared to others.
• The amount of panels used to detect substances also contributes to the price. Typically, labs use five panels for detecting substances. However, requesting more or specific panels will affect the price.
• Equipment used for analysing the samples will also contribute to the price. Specialised methods such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) may cost more than enzymatic assays.
• The reputation and size of the facility is another factor in pricing.

Drug and Alcohol Testing Facilities Near Me: Types of Tests Available

Several test options are available for those looking for drug and alcohol testing facilities near me. Firstly, urine testing uses collected urine samples to detect substance use within 24 hours. Additionally, ethyl glucuronide (EtG) tests extend the detection window for alcohol for up to 80 hours.

Secondly, mouth swab tests have a detection window of 12 hours. Saliva tests occur during onsite drug and alcohol testing. Experienced collectors use swab sticks to gather saliva samples inside the cheek or under the tongue. Thirdly, hair follicle tests use 100 to 200 hair strands to trace substance use within 90 days. However, due to hair growth, it does not include substances consumed seven days prior.

Lastly, blood tests are considered the most accurate tests. The collection process involves drawing blood using needles to the arm or fingers. Typically, this test has an average detection time of 12 hours. However, using carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) and Phospahtidylethanol (PEth) tests, the detection of ethanol is extended to up to two and four weeks, respectively.

Commonly Detected Substances

Tests are most commonly used to detect ethanol consumption. Additionally, 5-panel drug tests include other typically tested substances such as marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, and phencyclidine (PCP). Marijuana contains cannabinoids, which cause psychoactive effects. Meanwhile, cocaine is a powerful stimulant drug made from the leaves of a coca plant.

Additionally, amphetamines are stimulants used for treating narcolepsy and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Moreover, PCP is a commonly known street drug used for its hallucinogenic effects. Lastly, doctors prescribe opioids to relieve pain in many conditions. Laboratories may use different panels to detect a wide range of substances.

Drug and Alcohol Testing Facilities Near Me: Turnaround Time and Handling the Results

The turnaround time is another crucial factor when looking for drug and alcohol testing facilities near me. There is an average turnaround time of 24-48 hours in many cases. However, some reports may take weeks, depending on the complexity and amount of requests. Having a clear timeline is essential for managing expectations. Thus, confirming with the laboratory regarding their turnaround time is vital.

A non-negative result may have severe consequences for an individual. Confirmatory testing is one method of avoiding undue repercussions from false positives. During legal proceedings for Driving Under the Influence (DUI), the intoxication levels may affect the penalties they receive. Furthermore, companies may use these results as a basis for disciplinary action.

Australian businesses should maintain a safe workplace for all employees. Workplace safety becomes compromised due to intoxicated individuals who may cause tension or accidents on the premises. However, these companies must maintain the privacy of the workers. Additionally, they should provide assistance and education programs in their policies to help people during recovery.

Considering Confidentiality and Rights to Privacy

Part of the legal requirements of a company is to maintain the confidentiality and privacy of screening results. Only the employee and concerned staff should have access to the results. Moreover, they may refute the results and request confirmatory testing. Further testing ensures the reliability and accuracy of the previous results. Commonly, companies use blood tests for these.

A non-negative test may result in fines, reputational damage, and legal action. Thus, ensuring the privacy and accuracy of the results is crucial. Companies must use testing services that meet the necessary laboratory standards in compliance with laws and regulations.

Conclusion

Drug and alcohol testing facilities near me should fulfil several factors to be selected. They must offer fair prices and accurate reports with every test. Generally, a lab test costs between $50 to $200 each. However, the amount of panels and equipment used may affect the price. Moreover, the reputation and type of test also affect the cost. Laboratories must also offer various tests to cater to different needs. Blood, hair, urine, and saliva screenings are some options.

Furthermore, companies and laboratories must ensure the confidentiality and privacy of individuals. A non-negative result may have severe consequences. Many of the commonly tested substances are illegal drugs, and high Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) measurements may result in maximum penalties. Some people may opt for personal breathalysers for convenient monitoring of the BAC levels. Reliable and accurate BACtrack breathalysers are available in Breathalysers Australia.