Collection: BZO Drug Tests

When most people think about drug tests, they think about illicit drug use. But employers, healthcare professionals, sports organizations, and other entities often require tests that are capable of testing for prescription drugs as well.

In the United States alone, 54 million people above the age of 12 have used a prescription drug for non-medical purposes in their lifetime. 

Furthermore, 6.1 million Americans misuse prescription drugs each month.

Benzodiazepines (also referred to as BZO) are one of the most commonly abused prescription-only medicines.

In fact, benzo-related overdoses increased sevenfold between 1999 and 2015, increasing from 1,135 to 8,791 deaths.

Since this trend shows no signs of slowing in the near future, it is crucial for American citizens to be aware of the dangers of BZO misuse, and for employers, healthcare professionals, and others to be vigilant in testing for these substances.

What is BZO?

Benzodiazepines, AKA BZO, are psychoactive medications that affect the central nervous system. They are most commonly used as a sedative since they reduce sensations of anxiety, excitement, and agitation. However, they can also be used to treat seizures, as they lessen the severity of convulsions by depressing the nervous system. 

When BZO drugs are used, a person will likely feel:

• Drowsy
• Relaxed
• Calm

If a BZO drug is abused, however, it can produce serious side effects, including:

• Insomnia (or the inability to sleep without taking the drug)
• Difficulty concentrating
• Memory loss
• Blurred vision
• Muscle weakness
• Irritability
• Poor balance or coordination

Additionally, due to the fact that BZO abusers often develop an increased tolerance for the medication over time, overdosing is common and can be fatal.

What is a BZO Drug Test?

At Countrywide Testing, we are often asked “What does BZO stand for on a drug test?”, and the answer is simply “Benzodiazepines”.

Thus, a BZO drug test refers to any drug screening device that can detect the presence of benzodiazepines in the human body.

If you see BZO on a drug test, it indicates that that device is capable of identifying BZO.

Since not all drug tests are able to screen for every drug, the onus is on the buyer to look for BZO on drug tests and verify the test will meet their needs.

Of course, at Countrywide Testing, we always welcome our valued customers to contact us if they need any assistance in finding the correct test for their examination requirements.

How does a BZO Test Work?

A BZO drug test can be administered in a number of ways, depending on which sample collection method is used.

BZO can be detected in urine, hair, saliva and blood.

In most cases, a urine test is the most commonly used method, but hair, blood and saliva tests may be used in situations where a more detailed history of drug use is required, or where the person/organization administering the test wants to prevent the individual from using urine test cheating techniques.

Regardless of which method is used, drug test BZO screens are highly accurate. At Countrywide Testing, our home drug test devices come with a 99% accuracy rating, providing our valued customers with dependable and accurate results each and every time.

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT BZO TESTS? CALL US AT (469) 389-2120 OR DROP US A MESSAGE TODAY. WE’RE ALWAYS HAPPY TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.