truck-icon-red-banner

Same day local dispatch

australia-icon-red-banner

Australian owned

Breathalysers

1-3 year warranty

breathalyser

Australia's industry specialist

Drug and Alcohol Testing Near Me: Types of Services Offered

17 January, 2024

A police officer showing the results of a breathalyser test

Drug and alcohol misuse can endanger both the individual and the community. It poses significant risks, particularly when driving or operating heavy machinery. Therefore, many seek drug and alcohol testing near me to minimise its associated hazards. There are several services to choose from, such as breath, urine, and saliva testing. Each method can trace substances for various periods accurately. Nevertheless, it is important to understand their advantages and limitations to determine the appropriate test to use.

There are various factors to consider when undergoing alcohol and drug testing. Individuals who are subject to testing should pay attention to the time since their last intake, prescription medications, and medical conditions. These tests can determine if an individual is under the influence of illicit drugs or has substance abuse issues. The following sections will explore the different types of test methods, their advantages, and what they can detect.

Drug and Alcohol Testing Near Me – Breathalyser Testing

Drug and alcohol testing near me offers breathalyser testing as the most convenient way to detect alcohol. It involves the use of a breathalyser that analyses the chemical reaction that occurs when alcohol is breathed out. It measures the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC). This testing method provides an objective and reliable way to determine the intoxication level of a person.

A breath test is a non-invasive method of testing for alcohol. The person will simply have to blow into the device to determine their BAC level. This can provide the results within seconds. Therefore, it is commonly used in situations where immediate results are needed, such as workplace testing.

Breath alcohol testing is also often used by police officers during roadside sobriety checks. Driving under the influence of alcohol is a dangerous and irresponsible act that puts both the driver and other people on the road at risk. Through breathalyser testing, law enforcement can determine if a person is drink driving. Thus, many individuals use a personal device to monitor their BAC level and avoid driving over the legal limit.

Benefits of Detecting Alcohol in the Breath

  • Allows for easy and quick screening for blood alcohol levels.
  • The sample collection is non-invasive. It can be performed anywhere, and it does not involve injections, heavy equipment, or professional supervision.
  • It provides immediate results, giving real-time updates on the BAC.
  • Individuals can use it to monitor their alcohol intake, preventing severe impairments or intoxication.
  • Breath alcohol tests can help individuals make informed decisions, such as deterring them from driving if they exceed the legal limit.
  • The use of a breathalyser helps keep roads and workplaces safer.
  • A breathalyser can help estimate when their BAC will return to zero. Thus, it can monitor sobriety efficiently.

A drug test kit and a urine sample

Drug and Alcohol Testing Near Me – Urine Testing

Another common service of drug and alcohol testing near me is urine testing. It detects the presence of drugs and alcohol in the system by analysing the urine specimen. It is a widely used and highly effective method of testing due to its convenience and accuracy. A urine drug screen involves providing a sample in a designated container and analysing it with a rapid test kit.

On the other hand, urine tests with non-negative results may necessitate confirmatory testing. In this case, accredited collection centres will forward the samples to a laboratory for further analysis. It involves more advanced techniques such as Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). These confirmatory tests can provide more accurate and specific results, which are essential in legal and workplace settings.

Furthermore, urine alcohol and drug testing can offer a longer detection window than other methods. It can trace alcohol for up to 80 hours and drugs days from the last use. This depends on the amount of intake or if the person is a chronic user. Thus, it is an effective tool for determining substance abuse or monitoring individuals undergoing treatment programs.

Drug Metabolites Detected in Urine

Urine can identify a wide range of substances, such as illegal or recreational drugs and prescription drugs. The common drugs of abuse include marijuana or THC metabolites, cocaine metabolites (benzoylecgonine), amphetamines, and phencyclidine (PCP). The test can also trace prescription medications that may be abused, like opioids (heroin, codeine, morphine) and benzodiazepines.

Drug metabolites can stay in the system longer than their parent drugs before being eliminated from the body. Moreover, each drug class has specific detection windows. For instance, cocaine and opioids will show in urine for one to three days, while marijuana can stay for up to 25 days.

A man getting mouth swabbed by a medical professional

Drug and Alcohol Testing Near Me – Saliva Testing

An alternative to urine that drug and alcohol testing near me offers is saliva drug screening. It involves swabbing the inside of the mouth with an absorbent stick to detect illegal drugs. This method is standard in roadside drug testing and workplace screening. It is advantageous because it is non-invasive, easy to administer in onsite testing, and less vulnerable to tampering.

The technology in oral fluid testing varies, but the most common is immunoassays. This technique relies on antibodies that can bind to specific metabolites. If the target drug is present, it will produce a visible reaction. Like with urine tests, non-negative results will require confirmatory testing. The test adheres to laboratory standards and a strict chain of custody process to provide the most accurate results.

Furthermore, a Medical Review Officer (MRO) evaluates the test to determine if the present substance or metabolite is indeed due to consumption. Consequently, a confirmed positive test result can have legal implications, such as drug driving charges or work suspensions.

Detecting Recent Drug Use Through Oral Fluid Samples

Oral fluid samples have shorter average detection times than urine. It can typically trace drug use for the past 12-48 hours. In addition, substances can show up in saliva within five hours of intake. This makes it useful for determining consumption or impairment from the time of collection.

In the workplace, saliva drug screening is suitable for post-incident, random, or reasonable suspicion testing. It is important to note that since it has a shorter detection period, it may not be as effective in determining long-term or chronic drug use. Therefore, it is vital to consider these factors when choosing a drug test method.

Conclusion

Individuals and organisations in need of drug and alcohol testing near me can avail of services by going to the closest collection centre or clinic location. It offers various test methods, such as breathalyser testing for alcohol and urine and saliva testing for illicit drug use. Each type has varying detection windows, sensitivity, and detectable substances. Nevertheless, it is crucial to follow the chain of custody procedure, whether onsite or laboratory testing, to ensure accurate results.

Drug and alcohol testing plays a crucial role in identifying current impairment and long-term substance abuse. This can help in minimising safety hazards and avoiding legal charges. Additionally, it is valuable in monitoring the treatment progress of an individual. Several workplaces and industries have a drug and alcohol policy in place to ensure the safety and well-being of employees and customers. By implementing these testing programs, organisations can create a safer and more productive work environment.

0
    Shopping Cart
    Your cart is emptyReturn to Shop
      Calculate Shipping
      Shipping options will be updated during checkout.

      Your Perfect Match

      Also Recommended

      Why upgrade?

      Your Perfect Match

      Why upgrade?

      Your Perfect Match

      Why upgrade?

      Your Perfect Match

      Also Recommended

      Why upgrade?

      Your Perfect Match

      Also Recommended

      Why upgrade?

      Your Perfect Match

      Also Recommended

      Why upgrade?

      Your Perfect Match

      Also Recommended

      Why upgrade?

      Your Perfect Match

      Also Recommended

      Why upgrade?

      Your Perfect Match

      Also Recommended

      Why upgrade?

      Is Device Size Important?

      Is Device Size Important?

      Is Device Size Important?

      Driving Restrictions? (P Platers, Zero Tolerance etc)

      Your Perfect Match

      Also Recommended

      Why upgrade?

      Your Perfect Match

      Also Recommended

      Why upgrade?

      Your Perfect Match

      Key Benefits

      Your Perfect Match

      Key Benefits

      A police officer showing the results of a breathalyser test

      Would you like extra mouthpieces?

      Your Perfect Match

      Why upgrade?

      Your Perfect Match

      Also Recommended

      Why upgrade?

      Your Perfect Match

      Also Recommended

      Why upgrade?

      You may be interested in…

      Thank you for registering your breathalyser.

      Our system will now automatically send you a notification when your calibration is due.

      Your Perfect Match

      Also Recommended

      Why upgrade?

      Are you Testing Employees?