There are situations where people need to buy an alcohol test over the counter. For instance, individuals who want to manage their alcohol consumption can get a breathalyzer. A breath tester can provide the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) results in seconds. It is accurate and reliable, depending on the method and tools. There are also some factors that may affect the result, such as time and environment of testing and other external factors.

Moreover, people should consider buying from trusted brands. Also, there are more ways to ensure the thoroughness of the result. The best practices include keeping the kits clean and following instructions. They can depend on tests that are sold on the market. However, they must manage their expectations as it is not always the same. To learn more about the tests, the following sections will present who needs to be tested as well as how accurate and reliable they are.

Alcohol Test Over the Counter: Who Needs A Test?

There may be several reasons why people need or want to buy an alcohol test over the counter. Firstly, it is due to personal reasons. They may want to track their alcohol intake. It may be because they would like to prevent themselves from suffering from Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Moreover, they buy one to ensure they meet the legal requirements for BAC.

Secondly, it is due to professional reasons. Several workplaces require employees to take a test to prove they are not abusing alcohol. This is to protect the harmony and peace in the work environment. Furthermore, dealing with an alcoholic employee can negatively impact the business because of unproductivity.

Lastly, it is due to familial concerns. Parents who suspect their children are addicted to alcohol can get a kit. They may buy a one-time use alcohol test to confirm the results. These three reasons are the most common. If the reason is for legal procedures, they may want to get professional services for more security.

Types of Tests

The market offers various kinds of testing kits to measure the level of alcohol in the body. Here are some of them:

• Breath Test = This involves the blowing of breath to the mouthpiece of a breathalyzer. It is cost-effective because people can use it multiple times. However, they need to calibrate it regularly.
• Urine Test = A test such as this can be quite intrusive. Nevertheless, it is a relatively better option if they are unable to go to a laboratory.
• Saliva Test = The kits are typically inexpensive and easy to use. They need to swab the insides of their cheeks.

Is Alcohol Test Over the Counter Accurate?

Buying an alcohol test over the counter is good because it is convenient. The other good thing is, more often than not, the tests produce accurate results. Breath tests using breathalyzers have proven this. Hence, law enforcement uses them in the field. To get the most accurate results, the time gap from the moment they last drank alcohol to the moment of their testing should be 15 minutes.

On the other hand, urine tests are also precise in detecting alcohol compounds in the body. However, routine testing for alcohol does not use this type that often, unlike breathalyzers. The detection window for alcohol can last up to 80 hours, which is something people should consider when choosing a test to buy.

Moreover, a saliva test is another accurate test up to a certain level. The test does not allow users know their accurate BAC reading, but it merely confirms the presence of alcohol. Hence, they might require more tests afterwards. The positive thing about it is that it can deliver a result around 20 seconds later.

Are There Risks?

The tests people can buy over the counter are typically user-friendly. However, they are susceptible to risks. One of them is the possibility of false positive results. Even if the tests are easy to use, people may not be able to follow guidelines well, leading to errors. There may be more concerns, unlike when professionals do it.

External factors can also produce a false positive outcome. Hence, people should be aware of them to avoid inconveniences. For instance, certain prescription drugs can cause inaccurate readings. Moreover, mouthwashes and breath fresheners can affect the result negatively. It is better to avoid using them before testing.

Is Alcohol Test Over the Counter Reliable?

Alcohol tests over the counter are reliable. This is especially true for people who want a fast and accessible way of checking the existence of alcohol in the body. For instance, breath testers can provide their BAC reading within seconds. Moreover, some devices are so small that they can act as keychains so that people can bring them anywhere. Furthermore, certain units can connect to Bluetooth to track their records.

As for urine tests, people can also rely on them. Many workplaces use urine tests for testing their potential hires and or their employees. Hence, people can also get one for themselves if they would like to know if they or someone they love is using alcohol.

Saliva tests, on the other hand, are also useful. However, they have limitations. That is the reason it is a less common method of knowing BAC results. Despite this, it is still beneficial up to a certain degree. If they only need to confirm the alcoholic presence, they can choose it for convenience and price.

How A Breathalyzer Can Help

A breath tester is more non-invasive than saliva and urine tests. It only requires the users to blow through the mouthpiece. Hence, those who want to ensure they get the most accurate result in the most convenient way can use BACtrack breathalyzers. Their units are comparable to what police officers use. Thus, people do not need to worry about the outcome.

Individuals can easily purchase a device online through Breathalysers New Zealand. They offer breathalyzers for personal or workplace use. Moreover, they provide calibration services for the devices that require one. Thus, customers can feel safe that their units remain functional for a long time.

Conclusion

Alcohol tests over the counter are useful tools in confirming if there is alcohol in the body and checking BAC readings. The most common types of tests are breath, urine, and saliva tests. They are all accurate and reliable in their own way. They may have limitations, but they can compensate them with the convenience they provide users. If they require more thorough results due to legal processes, they can opt for blood alcohol tests instead.

People can prevent the risk of getting a false positive result by following the instructions and knowing what external factors can affect it. For the most cost-effective purchase, they can choose to buy a breathalyzer. More specifically, breathalyzers from trusted brands like BACtrack. Unlike the other two types of test, they can do a breath test using a breathalyzer many times. They can visit their site for more information and options.