An ethyl glucuronide (ETG) test is used to detect ethyl glucuronide, which is present in alcohol. This is most commonly administered as a urine test, but it is also possible to use an ETG test to detect alcohol in blood, hair, and nails. The reason for administering an ETG test is to test for alcohol abstinence. Check out this guide on what to know about ETG testing to learn more.
Why an ETG test may be administered
There are many reasons an ETG test may be administered to a person. The most common situations are listed below.
Court cases: In some court cases it is common to require or encourage an individual to take an ETG test to prove their sobriety. This is most common in child custody cases where one or both parties have a history of alcohol abuse.
DUI programs: If a person is charged with or is suspected of driving while intoxicated, they may be required to take periodic or regular ETG tests to prove their continued sobriety.
Patients with liver transplants: Patients who recently had a liver transplant may be asked to complete an ETG test because they are not able to safely drink alcohol.
People on probation: Individuals who are on probation may be required to pass ETG tests to fulfill their probation requirements.
People in certain professions:, Pilots, attorneys, police, healthcare professionals, and many others be required to take ETG tests to prove their sobriety, even if they have never struggled with alcoholism in the past.
What it measures
Most ETG tests can detect alcohol for up to five days after consumption. This is a widely used test because it is very accurate and is considered to be the most sensitive test for alcohol. The test can also detect alcohol that was consumed as recently as two hours prior to the test. The test will yield results in as little as five minutes and is able to provide accurate readings for up to four hours. Readings conducted within the first hour are considered the most reliable.
How accurate it is
Although the ETG test is considered very accurate, there are some factors that can alter the results. Many household products contain alcohol and can potentially skew results. Though this is very uncommon, it can lead to a false positive ETG test. ETG results are believed to be about 70 percent accurate in light drinkers and 85 percent accurate in regular drinkers.
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