Many companies are frequently testing their employees and potential employees for drug and alcohol. The reason being they need to have a safe and productive environment at work.

The industry provides cut-off levels in all drug testing. If someone has had an alcohol level of over 0.80 this could be considered a level of alcohol intoxication. Drug testing also has the same defined cut-off levels.

Drug and alcohol testing will provide a clear indication on the levels of cutoff for each drug tested and if the donor is above the level of the cut-off or below. The cutoff levels vary depending on the type of test that is conducted.

The value of Cut-off levels in drug and alcohol testing

Companies and organization including individuals need to understand that the industry has scientifically determine the level that is deemed a cut-off level in both alcohol and drug testing. Using cut-off levels for employers helps them retain the objectivity of the test for each person.

If a person is beyond or at the cut-off level, the individual is then on the drug or alcohol that is being tested. This approach is scientific and accurate.

Employers must use the industry level cut-off levels to determine the absence or presence of alcohol or drugs in a person’s system.  Laboratories like SmarTest Labs will provide certificates by employee being tested for the specific cut offs and the results of the test to the employer.

How does the cut-off levels work and relate to the human body?

A drug test determines if a metabolite of a drug is present in the human body. The human body creates a metabolite when the drug is broken down in the human body. This procedure is the same for all human beings. Hence, the cut-off levels can be applied to everyone.

The presence of a metabolite will determine if a person has taken the drug and the amount of the drug taken in relation to the cut-off. This helps determine if the person has risk factors.

Courts use this as a gauge in making decisions on court cases and extent of abuse in a person.

Cutoff Levels of various drugs

Cut-off levels for drugs and alcohol can be applied depending on a situation. Laboratories have cut-off levels for individuals that are not mandated by the Department of Transportation (DOT). However, the DOT has clear guidelines for employees in sensitive job functions. These cut-off levels are listed below.