--- title: "Does hair follicle test for alcohol" description: "Does hair follicle test for alcohol? Hair tests detect drugs but not alcohol reliably. Learn more about alcohol testing options. Call (877) 731-6362." author: "AMH Nationwide" date: "2026-08-28" tags: ["does hair follicle test for alcohol", "does hair follicle test for alcohol | does a hair follicle test test for alcohol | does a hair follicle test for alcohol | does a hair follicle drug test for alcohol | does hair follicle drug test alcohol"] canonical: "https://amhnationwide.com/does-hair-follicle-test-for-alcohol/" last_updated: "2026-08-28" --- # Does hair follicle test for alcohol **By AMH Nationwide** | August 28, 2026 Does hair follicle test for alcohol? Hair tests detect drugs but not alcohol reliably. Learn more about alcohol testing options. Call (877) 731-6362. --- Does hair follicle test for alcohol? Hair follicle tests do not reliably detect alcohol consumption because alcohol metabolizes differently than drugs. Instead, alcohol testing typically uses breath, urine, or blood samples. For accurate alcohol testing guidance, call (877) 731-6362. ALCOHOL TESTING BASICS ## Does a hair follicle test test for alcohol? A hair follicle test does not test for alcohol consumption in a reliable or standard way. Hair tests are designed to detect drug metabolites that deposit in hair shafts over time, but alcohol is metabolized and eliminated differently, making it undetectable in hair samples under typical testing procedures. HOW ALCOHOL IS DETECTED ## How is alcohol consumption detected if not by hair follicle tests? Alcohol testing is commonly performed using breath, blood, or [urine](https://amhnationwide.com/urine-drug-testing/) samples. These biological specimens detect the presence of ethanol or its direct metabolites such as [ethyl glucuronide](https://amhnationwide.com/hair-etg-alcohol-test/) (EtG) and ethyl sulfate (EtS), which are indicators of recent alcohol intake. Breath tests measure blood alcohol content (BAC) instantly. Urine tests can detect EtG and EtS for up to 80 hours after drinking. Blood tests provide precise BAC levels but have a short [detection window](https://amhnationwide.com/hair-follicle-drug-test-detection-window/). HAIR TESTS FOR ALCOHOL METABOLITES ## Does a hair follicle drug test for alcohol metabolites like EtG? While hair testing can be used to detect ethyl glucuronide (EtG), a direct metabolite of alcohol, it is not commonly employed for alcohol screening due to technical challenges and lack of standardized protocols. EtG hair testing is more specialized and less widely available compared to drug hair tests. LAB NETWORKS AND TESTING PROTOCOLS ## Which labs does AMH Nationwide use for hair follicle and alcohol testing? AMH Nationwide routes all testing through five national lab networks: [Quest Diagnostics](https://www.questdiagnostics.com/), [LabCorp](https://www.labcorp.com/), Omega Labs, United States Drug Testing Labs, and ExperTox. These labs follow strict protocols, and all non-negative drug or alcohol screening results are reviewed by a certified Medical Review Officer (MRO). ## Need Accurate Alcohol or Hair Follicle Testing? Contact AMH Nationwide to schedule your test or discuss which testing method fits your needs. Call (877) 731-6362. [Call (877) 731-6362](tel:+18777316362)[Contact Us](https://amhnationwide.com/contact-us/) DOT AND NON-DOT TESTING ## Is hair follicle testing for alcohol used in DOT-regulated testing? No, hair follicle testing for alcohol is not approved for Department of Transportation (DOT) safety-sensitive positions. DOT regulations require federally certified urine alcohol testing protocols under [49 CFR Part 40](https://www.transportation.gov/odapc/part40). Hair tests are only used for non-DOT drug screening and do not replace urine alcohol testing for safety-sensitive roles. TEST ORDERING AND COLLECTION ## How do I get a hair follicle test or alcohol test through AMH Nationwide? AMH Nationwide provides the lab order and directs you to one of the 20,000+ nationwide collection sites. There is no online ordering. To arrange testing or get a quote, call (877) 731-6362. Pricing varies by test panel and detection window. AMH Reviewed & Maintained By AMH Nationwide Customer Service AMH Nationwide is BBB A+ accredited and routes every order through Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp, Omega Labs, United States Drug Testing Labs, or ExperTox, all of which use multiple lab certification agencies and standards such as [SAMHSA](https://www.samhsa.gov/workplace/drug-testing)-aligned laboratory protocols, the ANSI National Accreditation Board for forensic testing and calibration, the College of American Pathologists (CAP), and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). Every non-negative screen is reviewed by a certified Medical Review Officer as part of standard processing before a result is released, and chain-of-custody documentation is maintained on every collection. This page does not constitute medical or legal advice. **Last updated:** July 2026 You May Also Need [Nail Drug TestingNo head or body hair available? A 5-panel fingernail test covers a similar look-back window.Learn more →](https://amhnationwide.com/5-panel-fingernail-drug-test/)[ChildGuard: Environmental ExposureConcerned about a child or loved one? ChildGuard screens for exposure to drugs in their environment.Learn more →](https://amhnationwide.com/5-panel-hair-drug-test-environmental-exposure-childguard/)[Shorten the Detection WindowShortened options like 30 and 60 day hair panels are also available, useful when a urine test’s 1-3 day window is too short.Learn more →](https://amhnationwide.com/30-day-hair-drug-test/)[Hair ETG Alcohol TestAlso need alcohol testing? The hair ETG test screens for alcohol use, and can be added to the same collection.Learn more →](https://amhnationwide.com/etg-and-peth/) Frequently Asked Questions ## Common Questions No, hair follicle tests do not reliably detect recent alcohol use because alcohol is metabolized and cleared from the body rapidly and does not incorporate into hair like drugs do. Hair tests do not have a validated detection window for alcohol consumption. Instead, alcohol detection relies on breath, urine, or blood tests with detection windows ranging from hours to a few days. Hair follicle tests are generally not accepted for alcohol screening in legal or employment settings due to lack of standardized methods. Breath, urine, or blood alcohol tests are preferred. A certified Medical Review Officer reviews all non-negative alcohol or drug screening results to verify accuracy, consider medical explanations, and ensure proper reporting. Passive exposure to alcohol does not cause a positive hair follicle test because hair testing for alcohol metabolites is not a standard practice and is not sensitive to environmental alcohol. You must call (877) 731-6362 to obtain a lab order and be directed to a nearby collection site. AMH Nationwide does not offer online ordering. Sources • [SAMHSA – Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs](https://www.samhsa.gov/workplace/drug-testing) • [U.S. DOT – 49 CFR Part 40 – Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs](https://www.transportation.gov/odapc/part40) • [CDC – National Center for Health Statistics – Drug Use FastStats](https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/drug-use.htm) • [Quest Diagnostics – Employer Solutions, Hair Testing Methodology](https://www.questdiagnostics.com/) • [LabCorp – Occupational Testing Services](https://www.labcorp.com/) ## Ready to get started? AMH Nationwide provides the lab order and arranges collection nationwide. Every non-negative result reviewed by a certified Medical Review Officer. Call (877) 731-6362 or contact us. [Call (877) 731-6362](tel:+18777316362)[Contact Us](https://amhnationwide.com/contact-us/) --- **Need a drug, alcohol, HIV or STD test?** AMH Nationwide is a national lab testing agency operating since 2004, with more than 20,000 collection sites across the United States. Hair, urine, fingernail and blood testing, panels from 5 through 19, for individuals and employers. - Call: (877) 731-6377 - Find a collection site: https://amhnationwide.com/locations/ - Full page: https://amhnationwide.com/does-hair-follicle-test-for-alcohol/