Hair Follicle Alcohol Test

Rapid Results DNA + Drug Testing Hair Follicle Alcohol Test will identify the presence or absence of EtG in a hair sample. As a laboratory-based test, this panel includes a routine screen for the presence of EtG, as well as any necessary confirmation testing.  

Ethyl glucuronide is a metabolite of alcohol that can be used to detect alcohol use in people for a longer period of time than direct tests for alcohol. 

EtG is deposited in hair as it grows through exposure to blood, sweat, and skin oils.  On average, EtG will become detectable in head hair beginning at 7 days after heavy alcohol use and extending as far back as 90 days if the hair sample collected is at least 1.5 inches in length. 

A confirmed positive result for EtG is considered evidence of heavy alcohol use in that time period. 

Note that body hair does not grow at the same rate as head hair, therefore the window of detection is less precise. 

Results of this test cannot be traced back to a person’s blood alcohol concentration at a specific time in the past.  Infrequent use of alcohol also may not be detectable using this test.