Alcohol Testing: Think 3-3-3

As a rule of thumb for alcohol testing, think 3/3/3 – three days, three weeks, three months – to figure out which test, and which window of detection, meets your needs.

The most objective alcohol testing results are accomplished using direct alcohol biomarkers. Such as phosphatidyl ethanol (PEth), ethyl glucuronide (EtG), and ethyl sulfate (EtS). PEth, EtG, and EtS are direct products of alcohol metabolism. In contrast, indirect biomarkers (e.g. MCV and CDT, among others) indicate physiological effects of alcohol consumption on the body. They can often be confounded by non-alcohol-related factors such as disease states, changes in liver function, infection, and even pregnancy.

Direct biomarker testing is accomplished in several different specimen types, including alternative matrices such as hair and fingernails. A positive EtG result in fingernail or hair specimens can indicate multiple occurrences of high alcohol consumption within a three month detection window.

PEth is detected in dried blood spot specimens and can indicate high alcohol consumption within three weeks of specimen collection. 

An EtG/EtS positive result in urine can indicate alcohol consumption within three days of specimen collection.

Alcohol Biomarkers-Think 3-3-3 Poster – Click here to download the pdf.