Alcohol Tests

About

What is an Alcohol Test? Most people are familiar with the concept of an alcohol test, and it is commonly associated with traffic stops, but the truth is, they serve a purpose in a wide range of situations where alcohol consumption could be dangerous or detrimental to a person’s health. Luckily, today there are many ways to test for consumption of alcohol – while alcohol becomes undetectable in the breath, saliva, and blood in around 12 hours, it can be present for up to 80 hours in urine. For instance, the EtG, or ethyl glucuronide test, can detect a metabolite that remains present in urine for more than three days. That allows to find out if a person has been drinking in the past few days, which is essential in many situations, such as when dealing with alcoholics that are following a rehabilitation plan and need to stay on course with their treatment. This type of test can be very useful in environments with zero-tolerance for alcohol such as educational facilities, the military, medicine, or in jobs that require operating advanced machinery. What Are the Types of Alcohol Tests? There are four main types of alcohol tests that are used in various situations. Each of them has its own advantages and drawbacks and should be considered depending on the situation. Let’s explore the types below. Breath Test Breath alcohol tests, or breathalyzers, are the most well-known and popular ways to test blood alcohol levels – they are commonly used by law enforcement because they are relatively accurate, easy to use, and very portable. The breathalyzer analyzes alcohol levels in the air that a person breathes out, as our bodies expel alcohol through respiration at a fairly consistent rate. However, although breath tests are reasonably accurate and can be used for driving under influence prosecution, they don’t always show an accurate reading, as it can be affected by the person’s diet as well as environmental factors. Saliva Test Another popular option is a saliva test, which co