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Drug Testing In Nashville

Our drug testing in Nashville, Tennessee, can help in a variety of settings, including medical clinics, employment background checks, and sober living facilities. We offer several options that cater to specific needs for drug testing. Freeman Health Partners is here to work with several facilities, providers, and others to complete drug tests.

What is a Drug Test?

A drug test checks a person for drug or alcohol use. These tests collect bodily fluids like sweat, saliva, blood, or urine to check for traces of substances. Drug testing can also collect hair samples to check follicles for certain drugs.

The hair samples or fluids are collected at a medical clinic, hospital, employment office, treatment facility, or other setting and then sent to a laboratory. There are also home test kits that offer results fairly quickly. In addition, breathalyzers can test for traces of alcohol currently on a person’s breath.

Our drug testing in Nashville could be for both legal and illegal substances. For instance, some tests check that a person is not misusing prescription medications. In addition, drug tests can check for current substance use or even recent use, such as a few weeks before the test. Some tests can even determine drug use from several months to a year before the test.

Drug Testing vs. Drug Screening

In some cases, a drug screening could accompany or replace a drug test. During a drug screening, a person answers several questions to evaluate their substance use. This could help determine if a person requires substance use treatment.

On the other hand, a drug test could accompany a drug screening to ensure that a person is truthful about their substance use. This is especially helpful in situations where a person being dishonest about substance use could be dangerous.

For example, some drugs have harmful interactions with prescriptions. In this case, a physician or psychiatrist might elect to perform a drug test if a person has a history of substance use disorders.

What is Drug Testing Used For?

Our drug testing services in Nashville can be used for the following reasons:

  • Check for any substance use during sober living programs
  • Stay compliant with any legal requirements (i.e., probation, house arrest)
  • Employer or volunteer opportunity background checks
  • Mental health or primary care physicians when patients have a history of substance misuse
  • Emergency medical personnel to check patients for substance misuse
  • Monitor any misuse of addictive prescriptions, like painkillers or benzos

In addition, there may be other reasons not mentioned above. Overall, our Nashville drug testing services help in a variety of settings. These tests are also available in different types depending on what substances are being tested and the timeline needed.

Types of Drug Tests

Our drug testing in Nashville offers a variety of tests. Different types of tests track different substances. In addition, some tests only determine more recent drug use. This is because some substances stay in a person’s system for only a short amount of time. However, drugs like marijuana or benzodiazepine can be detected for weeks—or even months—after use.

Different types of drug tests include the following:

  • Breathalyzers are common among law enforcement because they show instant results for blood alcohol content (BAC). While breathalyzers determine recent alcohol consumption, they are not accurate for determining the exact concentration of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream. Thus, most breathalyzers are followed up with a blood test for a more accurate reading.
  • Blood tests are most common in a medical setting, such as an emergency room, doctor’s office, or hospital. Usually, a blood test is only used in an emergency or during a DUI arrest.
  • Urine tests are among the most common because the sample is easy to collect. The person being tested urinates into a cup to collect the sample that is sent to a lab. This test checks for drugs like marijuana, alcohol, benzos, opioids, cocaine, and amphetamines.
  • Hair follicle testing detects long-term substance use. Traces of certain substances remain in the hair for several months. In addition, slower-growing bodily hair contains traces for up to a year. These tests detect substances like marijuana, PCP, amphetamines, opioids, and cocaine. They can also be used to test legal drugs like alcohol or nicotine as well as prescriptions like benzodiazepine.
  • Sweat testing collects sweat off the body onto an absorbent pad. The sample determines the use of drugs like opioids and marijuana. They also test for stimulant drugs like cocaine, amphetamine, and crystal meth.

Instant Results vs. Laboratory Testing

In addition to the tests mentioned above, drug testing can be completed at home or another setting and sent to a lab. Some take-home kits provide quicker results, but generally only determine current or very recent substance use. Still, some take-home kits collect a sample to be sent to a lab for analysis.

How Accurate are Drug Tests?

Drug tests conducted in certified laboratories using validated methods are generally highly accurate. However, false positives or false negatives can occur due to various factors such as technical errors, sample contamination, or cross-reactivity with other substances. Our drug testing services in Nashville employ several measures to ensure the accuracy of drug tests.

At Freeman Health Partners, we strive to maintain the highest standards of accuracy, reliability, and integrity in our testing processes, ultimately providing trustworthy results to our clients.

Drug Test Detection Times for Substances

The detection times for drugs and alcohol can vary depending on several factors, including the type of drug, frequency of use, dosage, metabolism, and the type of drug test being conducted. Here are general guidelines for the detection times of common drugs and alcohol in various types of drug tests:

Urine Drug Test

  • Alcohol: Typically detectable for up to 12-24 hours.
  • Marijuana (THC): Up to 1-30 days, depending on the frequency and amount of use.
  • Cocaine: 2-4 days.
  • Amphetamines: 1-3 days.
  • Opiates (e.g., heroin, morphine): 1-3 days.
  • Benzodiazepines: 1-7 days.
  • Methamphetamine: 3-5 days.

Blood Drug Test

  • Alcohol: Usually detectable for up to 12 hours, but could be longer in heavy or chronic drinkers.
  • Marijuana (THC): Up to 1-2 days.
  • Cocaine: 1-2 days.
  • Amphetamines: 1-2 days.
  • Opiates: Up to 12 hours to 3 days.
  • Benzodiazepines: 1-2 days.
  • Methamphetamine: 1-3 days.

Saliva Drug Test

  • Alcohol: Typically detectable for up to 12-24 hours.
  • Marijuana (THC): Up to 1-3 days.
  • Cocaine: 1-2 days.
  • Amphetamines: 1-2 days.
  • Opiates: Up to 1-2 days.
  • Benzodiazepines: 1-2 days.
  • Methamphetamine: 1-3 days.

Hair Drug Test

  • Alcohol: Typically detectable for up to 90 days.
  • Marijuana (THC): Up to 90 days.
  • Cocaine: Up to 90 days.
  • Amphetamines: Up to 90 days.
  • Opiates: Up to 90 days.
  • Benzodiazepines: Up to 90 days.
  • Methamphetamine: Up to 90 days.

It’s important to note that these are general guidelines, and detection times vary based on individual factors. Additionally, new testing methods and advancements in technology may affect detection windows.

Factors such as hydration level, body fat percentage, and liver function also influence drug detection times. For specific information regarding detection times for a particular drug test, individuals should consult with a medical or testing professional.

How Can Drug Testing Help in Recovery?

Our Nashville drug testing can also help those in recovery from substance use disorders. Many sober living homes have both scheduled and random drug testing. In other words, they might ask that clients complete a drug test weekly while the client also agrees to unannounced drug testing.

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) clinics could also include drug testing for their clients. This has a few benefits. First and foremost, this ensures that a person is ready for MAT since most clinics require a person to complete a detox program and get sober.

In addition, drug testing at an MAT helps to monitor for relapses. This is important for two reasons. For one thing, this helps to ensure that the treatment is effective. Second, some medications could have dangerous interactions with substances. Thus, drug testing helps clients in MAT stay safe.

Find Drug Testing in Nashville, TN

Drug testing services in Nashville can help a variety of clinics and settings. We offer these services in the Nashville area for employment background checks, medical clinics, sober living homes, treatment facilities, as well as the legal system and others. We screen for a variety of substances, provide instant testing for current substance use, and laboratory testing for long-term substance misuse.

Contact Freeman Health Partners today for more information on our drug testing in Nashville, Tennessee.