How to Conduct Drug or Alcohol Tests At Home

Step 1: Verify That the Drug and Alcohol Testing Kit Is Reliable

Before buying a home drug and alcohol testing kit, confirm that it is reliable and can detect the presence of alcohol or the drugs suspected of being used. Also, verify that the testing kit is certified to Australian standards. Make sure that it isn’t expired and does not have any issues that might cause inaccurate results.

Again, it is important to note that though a testing kit can detect prescription drugs and alcohol abuse, not all testing kits can tell you how much alcohol or drug was consumed. However, you can send a positive result to an authorised laboratory for further testing and detailed results.

Step 2: Follow the Instructions on How to Do the Test

It is critical to always follow the laid-out guides when conducting a drug and alcohol test. The slightest deviation from the instructions may result in a false positive or false negative test. Drugs and alcohol tests are time-sensitive and should be done without delays at the earliest opportunity.

Step 3: Supervise the Test to Prevent Cheating

The best way to prevent cheating in a drug and alcohol test is to make sure that the testing kit complies with Australian standards. With a certified testing kit, you can detect attempts to cheat the results from the test. Foiling attempts such as replacing urine with another substance or using urine collected at an earlier date can be detected. That said, you can supervise the child before and during the test to ensure he/she is following the recommended guideline.

Some of the ways a teenager may cheat during a urine test include drinking lots of water to dilute the urine before the test. They may also consume high doses of vitamins to alter the content of their urine or use chemicals in the bathroom like bleach. Another way is getting a clean urine sample from a friend to use as a substitute. Luckily, all these methods of cheating can be detected with a standard drug and alcohol testing kit.

Step 4: Ensure to Read the Results Correctly

Follow the instructions on how to verify the results to avoid misunderstanding. Reading a test outcome wrongly can create false positive and negative results. Make sure you read and understand the guidelines on the kit, so you can interpret test results accurately.

Step 5: Understanding False Positives in Home Drug Test

Your child may be telling the truth when he insists he hasn’t taken any drugs even when his result is positive.

A low percentage of drug tests produce false-positive results, explains Dwight Smith at the American Psychiatric Association. This can happen due to several reasons: