Swab tests are one of the most common forms of testing for drug usage. For employers or individuals looking to perform a swab test, it is worth noting that you can also detect alcohol usage with it. Oral testing (via saliva sampling) can accurately detect both substances. Workplace and roadside testing nowadays require more frequent tests. This is mainly due to the social acceptance of alcohol usage. Moreover, alcohol use is typical in social gatherings, events, and special occasions. It can help induce relaxed and euphoric effects. However, excessive alcohol consumption can cause many adverse effects. Memory loss, coordination problems, slowed reaction times, and judgement problems can all arise from excessive alcohol consumption. These impairments can drastically affect a driver’s or employee’s ability to drive or work safely. With the rise of demand for tests, individuals and employers alike ask: “can you perform a mouth swab drug test for alcohol?”.

Can you perform a mouth swab drug test for alcohol usage? The answer is yes. Through the saliva, you can detect the use of alcohol and drugs for up to 24 hours. Alcohol metabolises all around the body. It is transported all around the body by blood and can be excreted in several ways. Another test that you can perform orally is a breath test. A personal or workplace breathalyser from Breathalysers Australia can help perform breath tests like a saliva testing kit. These devices can estimate the amount of alcohol present in our blood.

Mouth Swab Drug Test for Alcohol: Saliva Test Kits

A mouth swab drug test for alcohol and drug usage is possible with the help of saliva testing kits. These testing kits would typically require a swab of saliva from the mouth. Next, the tester would need to place the swab into a container with a solution. Lastly, the solution will then change into a specific colour. Particular colours will indicate certain results. For example, a colour change can result in a positive test. Moreover, in most drug and alcohol test kits, having a result that has “no change in colour” can mean a negative test.

A mouth swab drug test for alcohol can be a reliable preliminary test. However, if these tests turn out positive, a follow-up test is required in most cases. A follow-up is needed because these tests can only confirm usage. Furthermore, these tests cannot indicate the exact amount of alcohol consumed or the specific drug taken. Moreover, false-positive results are also possible if an individual has a different diet or is currently taking medication. Nowadays, companies, individuals (commonly drivers), and even law enforcers prefer to perform breath tests instead of saliva tests because of the lack of details. Devices like the breathalysers from Breathalysers Australia can estimate the Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) from a person’s breath. The BAC is the percentage of alcohol measured in grams found in every 100ml of blood.

Breath Tests Instead of a Mouth Swab Drug Test for Alcohol

Like a mouth swab drug test for alcohol, a breath test can be a straightforward method for getting alcohol usage readings. Additionally, despite being easy to perform, it is still highly reliable. Even police officers and medical professionals use breath tests. Breath tests can help law enforcers, and healthcare practitioners maintain safer roads and provide adequate medical prescriptions. Moreover, police officers and judges also use breath tests to determine the severity of a drink driving change and its penalties. A breath test from a law enforcer’s breathalyser (BAC readings) can be evidence in a court hearing. Furthermore, even safety-critical industries rely on consistent breath alcohol tests to provide safer workplaces. Aside from breath tests and saliva tests, the other forms of drug and alcohol tests are:

• Urine test (can test for alcohol and drug usage)
• Blood test (This is the most accurate form of test. Furthermore, it can test for alcohol and drug usage)
• Hair follicle test (can test for alcohol and drug usage)
• Sweat test (can test for alcohol and drug usage)

Mouth Swab Drug Test for Alcohol before Blood Tests

Blood tests are the most accurate form of tests available. However, these tests are highly invasive. The collection procedure needs a highly qualified tester that can collect, store, and transport the samples effectively. Handling the samples wrong may cause inaccuracy. Additionally, blood samples also need to be processed in an accredited laboratory, adding to the costs and time it takes to get the results. A blood test’s expensive nature is why companies perform preliminary tests before it. A mouth swab drug test for alcohol and drug usage can be used to check for usage possibilities. Next, the employer or law official can then pass it on to a laboratory if it shows up positive. A negative test will no longer need further testing, saving a lot of money for a company or individual.

Why Perform Tests?

During workplace tests, a mouth swab drug test for alcohol and drug usage, a urine test, and a breath test are prevalent methods. Companies perform these tests to reduce workplace hazards and prevent accidents and injuries. Moreover, having constant tests in the workplace can help prevent alcohol and drug use during work hours. Workplace testing is typically done on-site with the help of devices like workplace breathalysers from Breathalysers Australia. Aside from workplaces, law enforcers would often use drug and alcohol tests (commonly breath tests) to help them single out potentially dangerous drivers. Intoxicated driving can be hazardous; therefore, police officers try to prevent anyone with a BAC of 0.05% or more from driving. A BAC of 0.05% or more in Australia is a serious driving offence, and it can come with plenty of severe penalties. The industries that can significantly benefit from constant workplace tests are:

• Construction
• Transportation (land, sea, and air)
• Mining
• Manufacturing
• Healthcare

Breath Tests with a Breathalyser from Breathalysers Australia

Workplaces and individuals alike can use the breathalysers from Breathalysers Australia for alcohol tests. Instead of just checking for a positive or negative result, it would be more effective to test for your exact BAC. A mouth swab drug test for alcohol and drug test is still reliable. However, knowing things like the BAC can help determine the precise intoxication level. Moreover, drivers using the BACtrack personal breathalysers from Breathalysers Australia can quickly determine when it’s safe for them to drive. These devices can also help prevent an individual from acquiring drink driving charges. Drivers can ensure that their BAC is below 0.05% before leaving. However, it is advisable to always keep it to 0.00% before driving. The devices from Breathalysers Australia can help provide quick and easy breath tests. These devices only take 10 to 15 seconds to process your results.