With the growing awareness of alcohol abuse in our society, it’s not surprising that more and more people are turning to saliva tests for alcohol detection. Saliva testing kits have become increasingly popular because they’re easy to use and provide a quick way to determine if someone is under the influence of alcohol.
The most common method of alcohol detection is through breathalyzer tests, but saliva test kits are gaining popularity because they can detect the presence of alcohol much quicker than breathalyzers. In fact, you can test someone within 15 minutes with a saliva kit, whereas typical breathalyzer tests take about 20-30 minutes to complete.
There are many types of saliva test kits available on the market today, ranging from home urine test kits all the way up to those that are designed specifically for law enforcement officials. The type of kit you choose will depend upon your needs, so be sure to research each option before making any purchase decision.
Here on this page, we’ll discuss the different types of saliva test kits that are currently available on the marketplace. We’ll also talk about how the results of these tests differ depending upon the type of kit you choose.
Home Saliva Test Kit
The first step when choosing a home saliva test kit is to decide what kind of kit you need. There are three main categories which you’ll want to consider when deciding which one is right for you:
- Urine Test Kits
These kits are often used by parents who suspect their children may be drinking too much. These kits allow you to test a child’s urine to find out if they have consumed alcohol. They typically come in blister packs, and it’s important to read the directions carefully before using them.
One advantage to this type of kit is that there is no waiting period between the time you collect the sample and the time you receive the results. This makes it ideal for parents who want immediate answers regarding whether or not their kids are drinking too much.
Another benefit to urine test kits is that they do not rely upon blood samples as an indicator of alcohol consumption. Many saliva test kits require blood samples, however, and this can make obtaining the results difficult.
It’s important to note that urine tests cannot determine the amount of alcohol consumed. Rather, they simply indicate if the person tested has consumed alcohol at some point during the previous 24 hours.
One other thing to keep in mind when purchasing a urine test kit is that they are not regulated by the FDA. Therefore, although many are marketed as being safe and effective, there is no guarantee that they actually work.
Most urine test kits are sold online, while others can be purchased at local pharmacies. The cost of a urine test kit will vary depending on where you purchase it. For example, a kit from a reputable online retailer like Amazon will likely cost between $15 and $30. However, the cost of a urine test kit from a less reputable source can be as low as $5. Of course, you’ll want to be sure that you’re getting a quality product for your money. You can Find more info by searching online.
Many people turn to urine test kits when they suspect that their children have been drinking too much. However, if you don’t have access to such a kit, it’s still possible to perform a urine test yourself. Here’s how:
First, clean the area where you plan to collect the urine sample. You should urinate into a cup rather than directly onto paper or plastic, as the latter methods could contaminate the sample. If you’re unable to obtain a clean container, try using a piece of cotton instead.
Next, add 1/4 teaspoon of white vinegar to the cup. Stir the mixture until it becomes frothy. Then place a few drops of food coloring into the cup. Mix well again to ensure that the coloring covers the entire surface of the vinegar solution.
Finally, urinate into the cup. Afterward, wait 10-15 minutes and then pour off the liquid into a second cup, keeping the colored part of the urine separate. Place the urine sample into a refrigerator for approximately 5 minutes and then remove it from the fridge. Using a pipette or dropper, transfer the urine to a small vial. Store the vial in a cool, dark location for about 72 hours.
After the allotted time has passed, the color of the urine will begin to fade. Once it’s faded completely, the result of the test is positive. If you see a faint pink color remaining, the test result is negative.
If you don’t have access to a urine test kit, you can perform a urine test yourself. Just follow the same steps above, except you’ll need to discard the urine after it has been sitting in the refrigerator for 5 minutes. Keep in mind that the test results won’t be very accurate, since it takes a lot longer for the urine to completely change colors.
If you’d like to learn more about urine test kits, check out our article titled: “How To Perform A Urine Drug Screen At Home”
When choosing a urine test kit, it’s important to remember that these kits are unregulated and, therefore, there is no guarantee that they will produce accurate results. Although urine test kits are easy to use and convenient, they shouldn’t be relied upon as the sole form of proof when you’re dealing with alcohol consumption.
Many people opt for home urine test kits because they’re cheap, fast, and convenient. But if you’re looking for a professional product that will give you accurate results, you might want to consider another type of test.
Blood Test Kits
In addition to urine test kits, many people also turn to blood test kits in order to determine if they’ve consumed alcohol. These kits are similar to urine test kits in that they allow you to test a person’s blood to see if they’ve recently consumed alcohol or drugs. However, unlike urine test kits, blood test kits are regulated by the FDA.
This means that they must undergo clinical trials prior to being approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As a result, blood test kits tend to be far more accurate than urine test kits. Because of this, they are usually only recommended for serious cases where it’s necessary to determine precisely how much alcohol was consumed.
Because blood test kits are regulated by the FDA, they’re also subject to strict guidelines regarding how long you can store the sample once it’s collected. Blood test kits typically expire within two weeks, so it’s important to act quickly when collecting the sample.
Once you’ve decided which kind of test kit you’d like to use, you’ll need to purchase several supplies in order to successfully conduct it. First, you’ll need a sterile syringe or lancet device. Next, you’ll need a blood collection tube. Finally, you’ll need a few items to clean the area where you’ll be pricking the skin. Here are a few things you’ll need:
- Sterile syringe
- Sterilized lancet device
- Disposable plastic wrap
- Bowls
- Paper towels
- Vacuum sealer
You can buy these items at most drugstores. Be sure to read the instructions carefully when setting up the equipment, and always make sure to dispose of the syringe properly. Once you’re ready to perform the test, follow these steps:
- First, fill the bowl with warm water and then stir in a few drops of iodine solution. Swish the water around to mix everything together, and then place a sheet of paper towel over the top. Be careful to avoid breathing in the fumes.
- Place the disposable plastic wrap into a bowl filled with hot water. Make sure not to touch the bottom of the plastic wrap with your hands. Use tongs to remove the plastic wrap and then place it into a dishwasher.
- Remove the lid from the vacuum sealer and then lay the disposable collection tube inside. Fill the tube to its maximum capacity with blood. Then close the lid and press down firmly, forcing the air out of the tube. When the tube is full, remove it from the vacuum sealer and discard it.
- Clean the area where you’ll be pricking the skin with alcohol wipes. Then, prick the skin with the sterilized lancet device and hold the skin taut. It’s okay if the blood begins to flow immediately. If not, gently rub the area to encourage blood to flow. Afterward, wipe away any excess blood with a tissue.
- Next, insert the needle into the tube and squeeze the plunger slightly to push the blood into the tube. Don’t pull out the needle yet; instead, let it sit inside the tube for 3-5 seconds. Then, remove the needle and discard the contents of the tube.
- Finally, wash the area of the skin where you collected the sample with soap and running water. Dry thoroughly using paper towels. Keep in mind that you can’t return the blood sample to the patient unless you’re performing a self-test. If you do return the sample, you’ll need to destroy it immediately
