Urine Alcohol Test EtG
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A number of
organizations and companies have started to implement random EtG urine alcohol tests as part of their drug and
alcohol screening policy.
Keep in mind that urine alcohol tests with EtG provide an accurate and reliable indication of
alcohol ingestion within the previous 80 hours.
In short, while the EtG urine alcohol test can not determine how much alcohol an individual has
concumed, it can provide evidence that the person has in fact ingested alcohol at some point within the past 80
hours.
This is especially important for people who have been mandated by the legal system to refrain
from drinkng any alcohol.
The 80-Hour Window for the Presence of EtG in the Urine
Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) is a direct metabolite of ethanol alcohol. The presence of EtG in the
urine can be used to detect recent alcohol consumption, even after the ethanol alcohol is no longer measurable.
Stated in another way, the presence of EtG in the urine is a definitive
indicator that alcohol has been ingested.
Traditional laboratory practices typically measure the amount of alcohol present in the body.
Depending on the amount of alcohol has been consumed, this method usually reveals alcohol ingestion
within the past few hours.
The presence of EtG in the urine, on the other hand, demonstrates that ethanol alcohol was ingested
within the past three or four days, or approximately 80 hours after the ethanol alcohol has been metabolized by the
body.
As a consequence, it can be determined that a urine alcohol test employing EtG is a more accurate
indicator of the recent consumption of alcohol as opposed to simply measuring for the existence of ethanol alcohol
as is done with other "standard" urine alcohol testing methodologies.
The Accuracy and the Reliablity of the EtG Urine Alcohol Test
Some labs use the most advanced, accurate, and precise equipment and technology that is available (such as
LC/MS/MS) to sift through, validate, and quantify the presence of EtG. Under these stringent parameters, the
EtG urine alcohol test provides highly accurate results.
The Key Benefits of Using EtG Tests Include the Following:
The following represents some of the major benefits of utilizing EtG Urine Alcohol Tests:
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EtG tests detect recent usage more accurately and for a longer time period compared
with standard testing
- EtG testing is a great match for abstinence and zero tolerance circumstance
- EtG tests provide an accurate and reliable indication of alcohol ingestion within the previous 3 to 4 days
(or approximately 80 hours).
- EtG is only detectable when alcohol is ingested and is not produced as a result of alcohol
fermentation
- EtG testing facilitates monitoring in alcohol treatment programs
- EtG test function as an early warning system that can identify relapse patterns
- EtG tests can be accurate and reliable when performed by LC/MS/MS on state of the art equipment
- Some labs can provide thirty-six hour turnaround time from receipt of the urine specimens
- EtG tests can be run on urine specimens in conjunction with other drug testing methodologies
- Top-rate labs can provide results via fax, the U.S. mail, and via the Internet
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Recent research demonstrates that the drugs most likely to produce effective
results when treating alcohol withdrawal symptoms are the benzodiazepines: the shorter-acting
benzodiazepines such as Serax and Ativan or the longer-acting benzodiazepines like Valium and
Librium.
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How Much Do EtG Urine Alcohol Tests Cost?
EtG Urine Alcohol Tests cost approximately $25.00 per urine specimen, even when tested
on state-of-the-art equipment. Given the cost of this type of alcohol testing, accurate and reliable results
are possible at a price that most organizations can afford.
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In addition to alcohol-related pancreatitis, heart disease, cancer, and liver
disease, excessive drinking over time is also associated with the following health conditions:
infertility, irritated stomach lining and bleeding from stomach ulcers, obesity, nerve damage,
vitamin deficiency, skin problems, muscle disease, sexual problems, epilepsy, and loss of brain
cells.
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Urine Alcohol Test EtG: Conclusion
As long as companies and organizations lose substantial amounts of money and "person-hours" to
alcohol abuse, they will continue to use random alcohol tests.
As a result, a number of employees have done their homework and have implemented random EtG urine
alcohol tests as part of their alcohol and drug screening policy.
Urine alcohol tests with EtG are not only reliable and accurate, but they also
provide numerous screening benefits.
When their relatively low cost is entered into the equation, EtG urine alcohol tests become a solid
and affordable methodology for employee alcohol screening and testing.
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Since some women remain unaware of their pregnancy, sometimes for 2 or more
months, women who are pregnant or those who are trying to become pregnant should abstain from
all alcoholic beverages, according to the March of Dimes.
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If you are addicted to alcohol, part of your treatment may include regular
attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. The Alcoholics Anonymous recovery program is based
on a spiritual framework that, along with support from other alcoholics, has helped millions of
people attain sobriety.
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