Is the 80 Hour (EtG) Alcohol Test Reliable or Unreliable?

ETG testing is commonly used in legal proceedings such as probation and child custody cases. It is also used in rehabilitation and treatment centers to monitor patients’ progress and ensure they are not consuming alcohol during their recovery

ETG alcohol testing is a method of detecting the presence of alcohol in a person’s system. Unlike traditional breathalyzer tests, which only measure the amount of alcohol on a person’s breath, ETG testing measures the presence of a metabolic byproduct of alcohol called ethyl glucuronide (ETG) in a person’s urine. ETG testing is considered to be a more accurate and reliable method of detecting alcohol consumption than traditional breathalyzer tests. This is because ETG can be detected in a person’s urine for up to 80 hours after they have consumed alcohol, while alcohol can only be detected on a person’s breath for a few hours after they have consumed it.

One of the advantages of ETG testing is that it can detect very low levels of alcohol consumption. This makes it a useful tool for detecting alcohol use in situations where even small amounts of alcohol could be problematic, such as in safety-sensitive jobs or for people who are prohibited from consuming alcohol as a condition of their employment or legal status.

However, it’s important to note that there are also some limitations to ETG testing. For example, ETG can also be produced by other sources such as certain medications or even some food products, which can lead to false positive results.

ETG alcohol testing is a highly accurate and reliable method of detecting alcohol consumption. It is commonly used in workplace drug testing programs, legal proceedings, and rehabilitation centers. However, it’s important to understand the limitations of ETG testing and to consider other factors when interpreting test results.

Learn more about other types of drug and alcohol testing in criminal cases.