Substance · alcohol
Alcohol (ethanol)
Workplace alcohol testing is typically a breath test (BrAC) under DOT and most non-DOT programs. EtG and EtS are conjugated metabolites measurable in urine for longer windows and are commonly used in abstinence-monitoring contexts.
Last updated:What is Alcohol (ethanol)?
Beverage alcohol (ethanol). Breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) approximates blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Conjugated metabolites EtG (ethyl glucuronide) and EtS (ethyl sulfate) extend detection beyond ethanol's short half-life.
What drug tests detect
Drug tests for Alcohol (ethanol) typically target the following analytes / metabolites:
- Ethyl glucuronide (EtG)
- Ethyl sulfate (EtS)
- Acetaldehyde / acetate
Confirmation testing uses GC-MS or LC-MS/MS.
Detection windows
| Specimen | Window | Pattern | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breath | 1–24 hours | typical | BrAC clears at ~0.015–0.020 per hour; reflects very recent intake. |
| Urine | 12–80 hours | typical | EtG/EtS detect prior drinking; abstinence-monitoring tool. |
| Blood | 1–12 hours | typical | Ethanol clears with similar zero-order kinetics to BrAC. |
| Hair | 30–90 days | typical | EtG in hair used in some abstinence-monitoring contexts; not federally approved. |
Ranges are approximate and vary by individual physiology, hydration, dose, frequency of use, and lab cutoff. They are not predictive of whether someone will "pass" a test.
Cross-reactivity and MRO interpretation
The following can affect initial immunoassay screening and are normally resolved by mass-spectrometry confirmation and MRO review. None of these are a reason to draw conclusions from a single screening result.
- Hand sanitizer / mouthwash (EtG, dose-dependent)
- Kombucha and fermented foods
Sources & references
drugtest.co content is sourced from primary regulatory and clinical references. We do not cite gray-market or "how to pass" sources.