Protocols Around Drug Testing Tampa Fl; Reasons, Preparations and Methods

Drug consumption in the US is rising health concerns for the healthcare professionals as well as the government. Unfortunately drug usage is not only common among adults but also the minors i.e children below age 18. According to the NCDS, almost 50% of teenagers have misused a drug at least once in their lives. 

Moreover, the most recent report by UNODC World Drug Report 2024 states that in 2022 the number of people using drugs worldwide has risen to 292 million, which is a 20% increase from the previous 10 years. 

In the US, one of the states that houses the most active drug users is Florida. Approximately 8% of Florida citizens consume illicit drugs at any given point in time, which approximately means 1.5 million Floridians. A CDC report on Drug Overdose Mortality by State estimated that there was a surging death rate of 35.2% with 7,551 deaths in Florida in 2022. 

These concerning statistics highlight the need for a proper drug control system in Florida that ensures adults as well as minors refrain from getting exposed and ultimately addicted to these drugs. 

In professional lives, the need for clearance on drug testing reports becomes a necessity as most professional organizations require their employees to be free of such addictions. So if you want to excel in your career and your life, without having to go through the embarrassment of being reported as a drug abuser then you need to be prepared by getting drug testing in Tampa fl and by having a knowledge about the basics and protocols around it. 

Reasons Why Drug Testing is Important in Tampa

• Any professional organization whether it is a major or small scale business demands or conducts drug testings for employees at number of instances:

• Before hiring an employee
• Spot testing i.e. an employer might pick a random day for drug testing of employees to make sure they adhere to “no drugs” rule
• Testing of an employee showing violent or negative behavior patterns
• Tests for employee who has had number of accidents or errors in a short amount of time

• There are a number of other reasons for drug testings too

• Medical reasons  
• Immigration purposes
• For follow-up after drug treatment or for rehab patient 
• Court ordered treatment program / legal testing
• Athletic testing
• Accidental consumption or intake 

 How to Prepare for Drug Testing in Tampa, Florida

• Do your homework: Learn about the drug testing process you are opting for. The most common drug testing methods are urine, blood plasma, saliva or hair tests. Research about the protocols involved in various methods so there are no surprises on the day of testing.  
• Hydrate yourself: there’s a common myth that drinking cranberry juice will get rid of traces of any illegal substance in the body. That is completely untrue, however, you are suggested to drink a lot of water to flush out the toxins from your body. 
• Maintain a Healthy Diet: To get favorable results try avoiding some food that can compromise on your results such as foods with supplements like amphetamines or poppy seeds. Foods like seafood, acidic fruits, walnuts and diuretics like coffee and tea are suggested to be avoided at any cost
• Fast one night before: to avoid any issues being caused due to your diet you can fast one night before so that there are no risks involved in your results. 
• Consult: consulting your doctor or the testing team prior to the test to get all the relevant information required for the testing day.
• Come prepared: Reach the testing lab on time with all the required paperwork, identification and documents.  

5 Common Drug Testing Methods Used in Tampa, Florida

Urine Drug Test (UDT): this is the most common drug test used. UDT detects the presence of even a little bit of substance or the metabolites. It has the capacity to detect presence of metabolites even after days of use of the substances like alcohol, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, opiates/opioids, cocaine and marijuana.

Blood Plasma Drug Test: this test is used by healthcare providers in case of emergencies. It is an invasive testing used to detect the level of substance or alcohol present in the blood. But it can only detect the presence of recently consumed substances because the substance’s presence in blood is very short-lived.  

Breath Drug Test:This drug test is also used to detect a person’s Blood Alcohol Content (BAC), after a recent consumption or when an individual is still under the influence. This method is most commonly used in workplaces due to its ability to detect alcohol or substance for up to 12 hours of use. It detects the presence of cocaine, marijuana, benzodiazepines, amphetamines, opioids, methadone and buprenorphine.

Hair Follicle Drug Test: this method is used to detect drug use by analyzing a small sample of hair, typically taken from the scalp. It can identify drug use over a period of up to 90 days, as drugs are incorporated into hair as it grows. This test is highly accurate and often used to detect substances like cocaine, phencyclidine (PCP), amphetamines, opioids and 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA).

Sweat Drug Test: this test method involves wearing an absorbent patch on the skin for a certain amount of time. And then that patch is used to test what level of substance did the individual consume. It detects the presence of marijuana, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines/methamphetamines & PCP.

With rising cases of drug abuse in Florida and the alarming situations in different companies, employers from more and more organisations are promoting drug tests to be held in the company to ensure work health safety, compliance and well being.. Drug testing labs in Tampa, Florida provide services for professional, legal, or medical purposes, and understanding the reasons, preparation, and methods for drug testing empowers individuals to take proactive steps toward a healthier and more responsible lifestyle.