What is Blood Drug testing?
Blood drug testing detects the presence of illicit drugs and alcohol present in the human body. These tests are generally conducted at the time of employment of the candidates. It may be required as a part of pre-employment screening or randomly conducted by the employers. These tests are specifically conducted for employees in certain occupations or on-the-job injury. It can also be conducted periodically, based on the policy of the company or if the employer has a suspicion that an employee is under drug influence.
Let us look at the advantages and disadvantages of blood drug testing –
Advantages
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Within a few hours of ingestion, a blood test will detect the drugs that have entered the body.
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It utilizes highly established lab testing.
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The results are available immediately as compared to a urine test that may take days and even weeks to become available.
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You cannot tamper with the collected sample because the healthcare provider will be there when the blood is drawn unlike the urine testing wherein the individual is asked to collect the sample on his or her own.
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When it is important to know the exact profile of the substance that has been tested, a confirmatory test can be run.
Disadvantages
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A blood test can sometimes be intrusive.
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It is comparatively expensive than urine testing.
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The drug detection via blood test has a short span of time. The test has to be done within 2 to 12 hours from the drug or alcohol ingestion.
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Because of extraction, there can be a higher risk of infection.
When should you conduct a blood drug test?
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When the person is under the influence of drug or alcohol
For the person who is showing the symptoms and sign of intoxication when the test is conducted, a drug blood test is performed for immediate results.
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When the Employer needs it
As per the law, the employer may require to conduct a drug-testing program. In that case, conducting a mobile drug testing program is the best option as it can save time and money. The test will then detect the presence of illegal drugs or alcohol in the body and necessary actions can be taken for the one found guilty. Generally, any institution can conduct a drug testing program provided they have the approval of the Department of Health and Human Services. Where public safety is a major concern, BLOOD DRUG TESTING is conducted more frequently in those institutions.
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To establish the cause of death
When there is a sudden death or an injury of any employee, blood drug testing can be required as it gives immediate results. It can also be required in order to claim any insurance if there are any suspicions that the accidents are caused because of substance intoxications.
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When there is a medical emergency
If there is a case of a drug overdose, a blood drug test becomes particularly important. The test results can then be used to know the type of drug and measures the level of toxicity and its concentration. After the test results are out, proper treatment can be given to the patient. This will also be helpful when medication-assisted treatment is required. The attending physician may also ask for repeated tests to monitor the concentration level of the toxins and how the patient is responding to the treatments.
How is the test conducted?
During the blood test, the health care professional takes the blood sample through a syringe from the vein of the arm. After the needle is inserted, a very small amount of blood is collected in a test tube or vial. A little sting can be felt on the arm when the needle goes in or out. The collected samples are then tested to find out whether there are any signs of drugs or alcohol present in the body.
Factors That Can Affect Results
The outcome of a blood drug test depends on several factors. They are as follows
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Age
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How often the individual uses drugs
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Dependency on drugs
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Body mass
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The amount of physical activity
These factors will determine the longevity of the drug present in your blood. Under normal circumstances, these substances can be detected not more than one or two days. The time frame can increase if one is heavily using drugs or has a substance use disorder.
If the person does not have a lot of physical activity, then the substance stays in the body for longer periods of time. Also, the higher the body mass of a person, the higher is the time taken to breakdown the substance by the body.
Which drugs can be detected by blood drug testing?
Many parent drugs can be detected like Amphetamines, Methamphetamine, Benzodiazepines, Marijuana/Cannabis, Cocaine, Opioids, LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide), etc.
Conclusion
A positive blood test result can affect an employee’s life negatively. If you as an employer wish to create a drug-free and productive environment in your workspace and plan on conducting a blood drug testing program in your office, then reach out to 247 Onsite, a nationwide drug and alcohol testing service provider in Corpus Christi. We provide drug testing services throughout the country. Head on to our website to know more about our services.
