What is a drug and alcohol test for employment?
Drug and alcohol tests for employment are performed to detect alcohol, illegal drugs, and prescription drugs. Note that all of these tests must comply with state and federal laws. Drug & alcohol testing may be done before hiring to ensure the newly hired person is not drug dependent. Employees should also be randomly tested to ensure the safety of the workplace.
Drug and alcohol testing may be used in the following situations:
- Pre-employment Tests
- Annual Physical Tests
- Post-accident Tests
- Post-treatment Tests
- Department of Transportation (DOT)
Drug testing results are very accurate and reliable if performed by approved laboratories.
Why occupational drug and alcohol test is important?
Alcohol and drugs can negatively affect the performance and efficiency of employees in a company. Employees who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs can harm themselves and others with carelessness and inattentiveness. It may also lead to workers’ compensation claims and potential lawsuits.
Also, if someone is harmed by the performance of your employee, it will lead to an investigation so your business may face legal consequences.
Given all these problems, it seems that doing occupational drug and alcohol testing can be a wise and cost-effective decision.
How to do drug and alcohol testing?
Urine Drug Testing:
This method is one of the most common methods for drug testing. This test is performed on a urine sample and shows the presence of some drugs or their metabolites. The result of the urine test shows the presence of drugs in your body until the last few weeks.
Hair Drug Testing:
Drug testing on hair follicles is one of the easiest ways to track drugs over the past 90 days. This test can be used for drugs such as amphetamines, marijuana, cocaine, and opioids such as heroin. The blood vessels of the hair follicle remain in contact with the bloodstream, so they can retain toxins such as drugs. Adulterating on a hair test is difficult, but its price is higher than a urine test.
Breath Alcohol Testing (Alcohol testing):
When alcohol enters the stomach and small intestine, it is absorbed into the bloodstream and distributed throughout the body, including the brain and lungs. So alcohol is released in your exhalation, which is measured by a device. Usually, 15 minutes after drinking alcohol, the alcohol can be measured in your respiratory particles by alcohol testing methods.
What drugs can be detected in the test?
- Amphetamines (including Methamphetamine, “Crystal Meth”)
- Cannabinoids (THC, Marijuana)
- Cocaine
- Opiates (Codeine, Morphine, Heroin, Oxycodone, Vicodin, etc.)
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
- Barbiturates
- Benzodiazepines
- Methadone
The detection time of various drugs in different samples is:
| Drug | Urine | Hair | Blood/saliva |
| Alcohol | 3-5 days | Up to 90 days | 10-12 hours in blood |
| Amphetamines | 1-3 days | Up to 90 days | Around 12 hours |
| Barbiturates | 2-4 days | Up to 90 days | 1-2 days |
| Benzodiazepines | 3-6 weeks | Up to 90 days | 2-3 days |
| Cannabis | 7-30 days | Up to 90 days | Up to 2 weeks |
| Cocaine | 3-4 days | Up to 90 days | 1-2 days |
| Codeine | 1 day | Up to 9 days | Up to 12 hours |
| Heroin | 3-4 days | Up to 90 days | Up to 12 hours |
| LSD | 1-3 days | Up to 4 days | 2 to 4 days |
| MDMA (ecstasy) | 3-4 days | Up to 90 days | 1-2 days |
| Methamphetamine | 3-6 days | Up to 90 days | 24-72 hours |
| Methadone | 3-4 days | Up to 90 days | 24-36 hours |
| Morphine | 2-3 days | Up to 90 days | 6-8 hours |
What do the results mean?
If your drug and alcohol testing is positive, it indicates that the concentration of some drugs is over the established level in your body. The false-positive result can also happen. So if your drug testing result is positive, you will probably be asked to retest. If your test result is positive due to a legal prescription drug, your employer will not punish you unless using this drug affects your performance.
Drug & Alcohol Testing in Las Vegas
Drug test for employment is performed at the SNOHC to help the employers comply with the specific employment policies that are mandated by federal regulations and insurance requirements. Urine and hair drug testing, as well as breath alcohol testing, are performed at the SNHOC. These tests can be done for a post-offer physical, pre-employment, post-accident, random testing, or return-to-work.
Frequently Asked Questions about drug and alcohol test
What is a drug and alcohol test for employment?
Drug and alcohol tests for employment are performed to detect alcohol, illegal drugs, and prescription drugs.
What drugs can be detected in drug testing?
- Amphetamines (including Methamphetamine, “Crystal Meth”)
- Cannabinoids (THC, Marijuana)
- Cocaine
- Opiates (Codeine, Morphine, Heroin, Oxycodone, Vicodin, etc.)
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
- Barbiturates
- Benzodiazepines
- Methadon
How to do drug and alcohol testing?
Drug testing is performed on your urine and hair samples and looks for drug metabolites. Alcohol testing also looks for alcohol in your exhalation.
Staff was efficient and friendly.
Doctor NickNam was wonderful in every way… kind, caring, professional.
Over the years, I’ve visited this clinic four times to take a Drug test for work. The staff is friendly and professional.