Common Ways to Test for Drugs and Alcohol
Heroin: What Is It?
The Work Health and Safety Act of 2011 requires employers and ‘Persons Conducting A Business Or Undertaking’ (PCBU) to implement and manage workplace safety.
Employers can use drugs and alcohol tests to manage workplace health and safety risks. These exams could be random, voluntary, ‘for cause’ testing, or any other form of testing.
However, it is important to be aware of Australian drug and alcohol testing guidelines before undertaking any drug test. When conducting employee testing, companies should be aware of the many testing choices as well as their rights and restrictions.
Drug Abuse and its Effects
Drug abuse, also known as substance abuse, is described as the repeated and dangerous use of chemical substances that results in an inability to control the usage. Simply put, it is the use of alcohol, prescription drugs, or illegal narcotics to affect one’s mood. Australia Drug Testing offers drug test kits for regular, impromptu screenings.
While drugs and alcohol misuse affects many parts of society, it can be especially harmful in the workplace. Employees may lower production, resulting in a drop in revenue.
Many organisations have devised drug-testing programs to detect the use of illicit drugs, alcohol, or prescription medicines. The tests differ depending on the drugs being examined.
Why Is a Drugs and Alcohol Test Necessary?
Alcohol and drug abuse pose serious safety and health risks, lowering productivity and staff morale. It can also result in higher costs due to health-care claims, particularly short-term disability claims.
Employers commonly utilise drug testing to:
- Prevent employees from abusing alcohol and drugs
- Avoid hiring people who use illicit drugsAvoid hiring people who use illicit drugs
- Provide a safe workplace for employees
- Protect the general public and inspire consumer trust that employees are working properly
Types of Drugs and Alcohol Test
Alcohol, Urine Drug Test and Oral Fluid Drug (saliva) tests are Australia’s most commonly utilised drug tests. Both drug tests have Australian guidelines that describe how to collect samples and identify and quantify drugs in urine (AS/NZS 4308:2008) and saliva (AS 4760-2006).
The following are the most prevalent drug test types:
1. Blood Test
Blood testing is more invasive than breath or urine testing. However, it is the most successful at detecting precise alcohol concentration levels. This test can detect drugs and/or alcohol 24 hours after drinking.
2. Breath Test
Breath alcohol test is generally used to determine how much alcohol is present in the bloodstream. The person on whom the test is being conducted blows into the alcohol testing device (such as a Breathalyser); the results are then procured as numbers denoted as the Blood Alcohol Concentration or BAC. It indicates the amount of alcohol in the blood at the time of the test. Check our KY8300 Breathalyser, which guarantees accurate test results.
3. Hair Test
Drug metabolises in the body and will reach the scalp’s blood vessels. The substances are filtered via the hair, which preserves a permanent record of drug use. Because drug residue stays in the hair follicle, users who consumed cocaine, marijuana, or other substances several months ago will test positive.
4. Saliva Test
Another less intrusive drugs and alcohol test approach is saliva testing. However, it is only good for detecting recent drug use. Saliva testing for marijuana, for example, can only give valid findings if the patient has smoked or used cannabis in the past 4 to 10 hours.
We have two types of error-free saliva drug testing kits, allowing you to test anywhere, anytime. You can learn more about this here.
5. Urine Test
The most common approach for detecting illicit drugs is a urine test. The sample collection method of ‘pee in a cup’ is non-invasive and does not require the use of needles. Parent drugs (drugs being tested for) and drug by-products can be found in high amounts in urine samples.
Australia Drug Testing offers four different alcohol urine test kits which are Australian Standard AS 4308:2008 compliant. These kits are designed to test for six drugs, including Marijuana, Cocaine, Amphetamines, Methamphetamines, Opiates, and Benzodiazepines.
Ingredients Used In Heroin
Diacetylmorphine, or diamorphine, is an extremely strong analgesic derived from the latex sap of the opium poppy seed pod, often referred to as opium.
The opium poppy is found in a variety of regions across the globe, including Asia, Australia, parts of Europe, Turkey, Afghanistan, Colombia, and Mexico.
This opioid is the primary psychoactive component of heroin, responsible for its euphoric high. It is also what lends heroin its addictive features and induces physical dependency in its users; the more one consumes, the more they need to prevent withdrawal symptoms.
Diacetylmorphine, the active ingredient of heroin, is combined with several filler ingredients to produce its effects. Some of the psychoactive effects of heroin can also be found in some of these other opiates. Often, these powders resemble the form of heroin with which they are laced. Some of these heroin ingredients may also contain deadly toxins.
According to research, drug users are concerned about fentanyl in their heroin, which can be detected through rapid test strips. These tests can inform people whether they are at risk of fentanyl exposure from their drugs.
Along with diacetylmorphine and fentanyl, street heroin may also contain methamphetamine, a popular street, and prescription drug. The effects of meth and heroin are similar, although meth is a stimulant and heroin a relaxant. A dealer often can mix any psychoactive drug that produces euphoria with heroin if it is cheaper.
Typically, methyl contains toxic chemicals and carries its own risks. As a result, it is particularly dangerous to inject directly into the bloodstream.
Heroin’s Adverse Effects
The effects of heroin are dependent on the strength of the dosage, the individual’s size, weight, general health, and state of mind, and the effects of any other drugs or medications they may have taken concurrently or within the previous two days.
When used with other depressants such as sleeping pills, tranquillizers, methadone, or alcohol, heroin’s effects are amplified.
This may result in a state of unconsciousness or possibly death. Some of the immediate symptoms of heroin use include a surge of euphoric sensations and relief from physical pain, nausea or vomiting, shallow breathing, tiredness, and sleepiness, a reduction in body temperature, pupil constriction, and loss of sexual desire.
The possibility of overdose is one of the most serious negative consequences of heroin usage. An overdose manifests itself in the following ways: Low body temperature, delayed breathing, blue lips and fingernails, cold and clammy skin, convulsions, and coma.
How to Get Treatment for Heroin Addiction
It is important to keep in mind that heroin abuse, as well as other drugs or alcohol abuse, can lead to long-term and serious problems. There’s no doubt that many people who are addicted to intoxicating substances find it extremely difficult to quit on their own. However, it is important to understand that there is help available, and this journey of recovery should not be taken alone.
If you experience any negative effects on your health, family, relationships, work, school, financial or other facets of your life, now is a good time to invest in a drug testing kit.
The ECO II Cup, a one-step drug testing device that can produce a result in one to two minutes and is available from Australia Drug Testing. This quick urine screening test employs monoclonal antibodies that, when paired with a particular urine enzyme, allow very sensitive detection of increased quantities of certain substances in the urine such as heroin. Opiate (heroin) is one of the six drugs the ECO II Cup test for.
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Australia Drug Testing provides quality drug and alcohol test kits that are simple to use, highly sensitive, fast, and reliable. You should always use products that are certified to Australian Standards to avoid device malfunctions which could cause a false positive.Our testing kits are sourced from the best products in the market to match your various workplace needs:
- Alcohol test kits
- Urine drug test kits
- Saliva drug test kits