What to Expect When You Visit a Drug Testing Lab

What to Expect When You Visit a Drug Testing Lab

Overview

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  • Source: Microbioz India

  • Date: 28 Dec,2024

The first time when one steps into a drug testing lab, they might get anxious because they do not know what is going to happen next. There are multiple reasons why a drug test could be performed, whether it be for legal reasons, job acquisition, or just a simple personal test. Everyone has their fears about the procedures, but this vast knowledge could potentially assist in easing one.

This article mentions in detail a few of the procedures which are undertaken while visiting a drug testing lab.

Appointment Scheduling and Taking Preparations

While many drug testing labs do allow individuals to walk in, there are many who require their clients to set up an appointment in advance. However, there may be instances in which clinics do accept walk-ins as well. If one is making an appointment, they may be allowed to do so only after complying with certain requirements which include no food, drinks or medications that could alter the results.

Preparation Checklist:

  1. Valid photo ID must be presented.
  2. It would be preferable to abstain from drinking too many fluids prior to giving the test
  3. It is of utmost importance to inform the laboratory if a patient has been prescribed any medications.

Arrival at the Check in Point

As soon as an individual enters the facility, they need to approach the front desk. Upon arrival, a receptionist may provide an ID which needs to be presented and fill out relevant forms. If one is getting a test for a job, then a few of these documents may have been filled up by an employer already. One Thing to Remember Grab yourself a decent amount of ID so your ID fulfills every information given on the form.

The Testing Process

This part of the process is mostly determined by the type of sample that is required. The sample types that are most commonly used include urine, saliva, hair and blood

  1. Urine Test: You’ll be escorted to a bathroom that is constructed purely for the provision of the specimen sample. In the lab, there might be certain procedures to avoid tampering, for example, coloring the toilet water or shutting off taps.
  2. Saliva Test: In this case, a device is swabbed in the mouth to extract saliva.
    Hair Follicle Test: In this test, hair is collected in small quantity from the head skin.
  3. Blood Test: The blood is drawn from the arm by a licensed blood collector with the use of an injectable sterile needle.

Privacy and Security

Drug testing labs, in their operations, will always respect your privacy in the course of fighting for the success of the specimen. For instance, witnessed urine sample collection some personal items may need to be put outside the toilet or pockets turned inside out. Such procedures are self-evidently meant to protect the specimen against tampering.

After the Test

After finishing such a test, your sample will be sealed and labelled before sending it off for assessment. The duration mainly depends on what type of test is performed but generally ranges from one day to several days.

Receiving Results:

Where the test was done on the orders of the employer, the results are normally sent to the employer.For personal testing, you can get the results either through emails, phones or a secure web portal.

What Do You Do With Positive Results?

Positive samples undergo, in most cases, additional confirmatory tests at the laboratory. One of the participants may be solicited to confirm any prescription medication that may have affected the result. Trusted reasons justify what happens once the results are accepted as positive by employers and legal procedures. It may involve retesting or additional analysis.

Concluding Remarks

A visit to the drug testing laboratory is routine and thus more or less uncomplicated. Knowing what is in store for you would enable you to go to the appointment ready. The minute you step into the place whether it is for work or just the household activities, knowing the processes that will be undertaken makes the entire experience easy and devoid of anxiety.

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