Drug and Alcohol Screening Near Me: Where to Go?

Drug and alcohol abuse is a serious issue that has detrimental effects on an individual’s health, relationships, and society. Thus, many people look for drug and alcohol screening near me, whether for personal or work purposes. Individuals or companies may avail of testing services in clinics or hospitals. In addition, there are many options to choose from depending on the needs. Alternatively, individuals may get self-test kits to facilitate the test at home.

Many organisations have integrated drug and alcohol testing as part of their safety procedures. It aims to identify employees with current impairments or who are struggling with substance abuse. Therefore, it helps minimise safety hazards in the workplace and prevent accidents and injuries. Likewise, individuals may also develop healthier habits. This article will guide you on where to avail of testing services, what to expect, and different test methods.

Drug and Alcohol Screening Near Me: Where to Get One?

A drug and alcohol screen is a process of examining a biological sample to detect the presence of impairing substances. Many situations require these tests. It is mandated in high-risk industries to manage safety risks in the workplace. Therefore, companies regularly implement them. Individuals may also get personal testing equipment to ensure they are clear for a formal procedure.

From clinics to laboratories, there are various locations that offer testing services. However, when finding drug and alcohol screening near me, it is essential to find a convenient option. You may ask your healthcare provider for their recommendations or partners. You may also check online which laboratories offer the services you need or book a schedule.

For workplace testing, many companies prefer mobile laboratories to facilitate the screening process. An accredited laboratory may set up a secured location near the work site. Hence, employees can easily provide a specimen sample and wait for their results without leaving work for several hours. This provides companies with a cost-effective solution for substance monitoring.

What to Consider

• Services – the testing options depend on the needs of the individual or the company. It includes the collection process, evaluation standards, privacy protection, and delivery of results. Some laboratories may also offer 24/7 customer support and educational programs for drug and alcohol use.
• Testing needs – how drug and alcohol testing serves the safety requirements of the company. Also, consider the future needs of the company.
• Logistics – includes lab-based services or on-site testing. Each process must ensure to follow the chain of custody to ensure the accuracy of the test results.
• Accreditation – if it adheres to relevant testing and laboratory standards.

Drug and Alcohol Screening Near Me: Test Methods

In checking drug and alcohol screening near me, you may check their available test options. Most laboratories offer urine, blood, oral fluid, and breath screens. The standard method in drug detection is urine. It can detect a wide range of illicit substances, including misuse of prescription drugs. Moreover, it has a detection window of up to 72 hours.

An alternative to urine is oral fluid testing. This method involves swabbing the inside of the mouth. It is less invasive and can determine trace illegal drug use from the last 24 hours. Furthermore, a blood test can detect all kinds of substances within 6 to 24 hours from the last use. However, it is intrusive and costly. It often serves as confirmation testing for preliminary screens.

A breath test examines the breath sample for the presence of alcohol. A breathalyser device estimates Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) which indicates a person’s impairment level. In addition, it can trace alcohol usage for up to 24 hours. Conveniently, these device is also available for personal use. Thus, it eliminates the need for laboratory testing.

Testing for Substance Abuse

Urine, oral fluid, and blood tests have limited detection windows. Thus, they are excellent for determining if a person is currently under the influence of drugs and alcohol. On the other hand, a hair test is more suitable for checking if a person has substance abuse or a disorder.

A hair test can detect drug and alcohol use for the last 90 days. This period is enough to reveal if a person consumes drugs habitually or one-off. The test is often conducted in pre-employment, random work testing, or legal settings. However, it can only trace usage patterns but not the amount of consumption.

Drug and Alcohol Screening Near Me: What to Expect?

Undergoing alcohol and drug testing requires preparation and understanding of the process. A healthcare provider or employer may advise what to do or avoid. The pre-screening instructions typically include fasting the night before the test and not drinking too many fluids. Before going to the laboratory, you must bring valid identification and medical history, if applicable.

Drug and alcohol screening near me will depend on the type of testing and the substances being tested for. Generally, collecting urine, blood, or saliva specimen is done in a clinic. For onsite workplace testing, the sample is taken and sent to a laboratory for analysis. The results will be available within 24 to 48 hours after the test.

The collection process may take 5 to 10 minutes. A technician will observe the entire procedure to ascertain accuracy. This includes ensuring the participant will not attempt to tamper with the sample. Moreover, those using rapid tests can receive their results within minutes. However, non-negative results require confirmation testing.

Workplace Testing Programs

The workplace is the one that regularly administers screening procedures to ensure the safety of employees. It is a standard in pre-employment for positions with safety-critical nature. It helps employers hire a candidate with no unsafe behaviours. Additionally, these tests are also conducted periodically or randomly.

Drug and alcohol testing is also crucial after an accident. It helps determine the factors that contributed to the incident. It is vital to conduct the test as soon as possible to get valid results. Lastly, an employer may request a reasonable suspicion test for a particular individual with noticeable signs of impairment or irrational behaviour.

Conclusion

In seeking a drug and alcohol screening near me, the closest clinic with the services that you need is the best choice. You may also inquire with your healthcare provider or employer for recommendations. In addition, there are various options to choose from. It would depend on the situation, level of accuracy, cost, and substances to be tested for. The most used type is urine analysis for drug testing and a breath test for alcohol.

Choosing the right tests is vital to ensure personal or public safety. It is also important to ensure the procedures follow strict protocols. In other instances, some companies may use testing kits and devices for preliminary screening. It is practical for those with workers in remote locations. Also, having a pro-grade breathalyser like BACtrack from Breathalysers New Zealand is cost-efficient for those who need frequent testing.