Urine Alcohol Test EtG

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image: teens lying on ground while drinkingA number of employers have started to implement random EtG urine alcohol tests as part of their drug and alcohol screening and testing policy.  

An important point to keep in mind is that urine alcohol tests with EtG provide a reliable and an accurate indication of alcohol consumption during the previous 80-hour window.

Urine Alcohol Testing With Ethyl Glucuronide (EtG)

Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) is a direct metabolite of ethanol alcohol.  The presence of EtG in the urine can be used to detect recent alcohol consumption, even after the ethanol alcohol is no longer measurable.

image: young woman disappointed with husband's drinking behaviorConsequently, the presence of EtG in the urine is a definitive indicator that alcohol has been ingested.

Traditional laboratory practices typically measure the amount of alcohol present in the body.  Depending on the amount of alcohol that has been consumed, this method usually reveals alcohol ingestion within the past few hours.

The presence of EtG in the urine, on the other hand, demonstrates that ethanol alcohol was ingested within the past three or four days, or roughly 80 hours after the ethanol alcohol has been metabolized by the body.

As a result, it can be determined that a urine alcohol test employing EtG is a more accurate indicator of the recent consumption of alcohol as opposed to simply measuring for the existence of ethanol alcohol.

The Accuracy and Reliable of the EtG Urine Alcohol Test

Some labs use the most advanced, accurate, and precise equipment and technology that is available (such as LC/MS/MS) to sift through, validate, and quantify the presence of EtG.  Under these stringent parameters, the EtG urine alcohol test provides highly accurate results. 

The Key Benefits of Using EtG Tests Include the Following:

  • EtG tests detect recent usage more accurately and for a longer time period compared with standard testing
  • EtG testing is a great match for abstinence and zero tolerance circumstance
  • EtG tests provide an accurate and reliable indication of alcohol ingestion within the previous 3 to 4 days
  • EtG is only detectable when alcohol is ingested and is not produced as a result of alcohol fermentation
  • EtG testing facilitates monitoring in alcohol treatment programs  
Alcohol abuse effects can be physical and psychological for the drinker. The effects of alcohol abuse not only have consequences for the drinker but for those around her or him as well. Alcohol abuse effects can be immediate as well as long term effects of alcohol abuse.
  • EtG test function as an early warning system that can identify relapse patterns
  • EtG tests can be accurate and reliable when performed by LC/MS/MS on state of the art equipment
  • Some labs can provide thirty-six hour turnaround time from receipt of the urine specimens
  • EtG tests can be run on urine specimens in conjunction with other drug testing methods
  • Top-rate labs can provide results via fax, the U.S. mail, and via the Internet  
Children with alcoholic parents may be at even greater risk for excessive drinking resulting from a combination of genetic and developmental factors that lower sensitivity to alcohol.

How Much Do EtG Urine Alcohol Tests Cost?

EtG Urine Alcohol Tests cost approximately $25.00 per urine specimen, even when tested on state-of-the-art equipment.  Given the cost of this type of alcohol testing, accurate and reliable results are possible at a price that most organizations can afford. 

What causes alcohol abuse? Many factors influence a person's initial alcohol use. Personality characteristics, peer pressure, and psychological stress can all contribute to the early stage of alcohol abuse. These factors are less important as alcohol use continues and the person repeatedly experiences the potent pharmacological effects.

Urine Alcohol Test EtG:  Conclusion

As long as employers lose considerable amounts of money and "person-hours" to alcohol abuse, they will continue to employ random alcohol tests.  As a consequence, a number of organizations and companies have implemented random EtG urine alcohol tests as part of their alcohol and drug screening protocol. 

Urine alcohol tests with EtG are not only accurate and reliable, but they also provide many screening benefits.  When their relatively inexpensive cost is added to the equation, moreover, EtG urine alcohol tests become a reasonable and cost-effective methodology for employee alcohol screening and testing.

Interestingly, hangovers are generally more common in light to moderate drinkers than heavy and chronic drinkers, suggesting that binge drinking can be as threatening as chronic drinking. Any man who drinks more than five drinks or any woman who has over three drinks is at risk for a hangover.

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According to the alcohol abuse research literature, U.S. males are four times as likely as females to be heavy drinkers.  Interestingly, this statistic holds for people of all ages. Unfortunately, this probably means that four times as many men as women will become abusive in their relationships, will experience alcohol-related problems at work, and will become alcohol dependent.

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