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Alcohol Testing Solutions

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), approximately 14 million Americans (1 in every 13 adults) abuse alcohol, or are alcoholics, making alcohol the most commonly used and abused drug in the US.1

Alcoholism and alcohol abuse impacts the workplace in various ways. The absentee rate among alcoholics and alcohol abusers is estimated to be 4 to 8 times greater; with family members also being impacted. Workplace accidents and injuries among alcoholics and alcohol abusers is also much higher.1


Saliva Alcohol Screening in Labcorp PSCs

Labcorp offers drug-free workplace instant saliva alcohol screening at many of its nearly 2000 patient service centers (PSCs) nationwide. The instant saliva alcohol screen is performed on-site by trained professionals to obtain an immediate screening result. The saliva alcohol test used by Labcorp conforms to the Department of Transportation (DOT) model specifications for screening devices that measure alcohol in bodily fluids.2 In the event that a positive screen is obtained with the instant test, DOT requires breath alcohol confirmation.

Saliva Alcohol Screening Protocol:

The following protocol applies to federally regulated and non- federally regulated saliva alcohol screening.

  • Any donor arriving at a Labcorp PSC for a saliva alcohol screen for “Reasonable Suspicion” or “Post Accident” must be accompanied by a designated employer representative (DER) for the screen to be conducted.
  • For all other screening purposes, a donor receives a positive screen for saliva alcohol, Labcorp will contact the DER to have the DER transport the donor to a non-Labcorp breath alcohol confirmation facility of the client’s choice to have the screening confirmed.
  • If the DER cannot be located to transport the donor for a breath alcohol confirmation, Labcorp will arrange for a mobile breath alcohol confirmation to be conducted at the PSC and the client will be invoiced for the service.

Laboratory-based Alcohol Testing Options

Labcorp offers laboratory-based oral fluid and blood alcohol testing for non-federally regulated drug-free workplace testing programs. Oral fluid alcohol testing may be performed as a single test or as part of a drug panel. Blood alcohol testing likewise may be performed as a single test or in conjunction with a blood or urine drug test panel. The same Labcorp PSC network that conducts saliva alcohol screening may also be used for oral fluid or blood alcohol specimen collections.

To set up an alcohol testing program, contact Labcorp sales.

References

  1. Alcoholism in the Workplace: A Handbook for Supervisors. U.S. Office of Personnel Management. https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/ worklife/reference-materials/alcoholism-in-the-workplace-a-handbook-for-supervisors/. Accessed February 10, 2020.
  2. Approved Screening Devises to Measure Alcohol in Bodily Fluids. U.S. Department of Transportation. https://www.transportation.gov/odapc/ Approved-Screening-Devices-to-Measure-Alcohol. Accessed February 13, 2020.