EtG hair testing uses hair strands to detect traces of alcohol use. This has become one of the most accurate and favored ways to test for substance abuse. If you ever need to make use of this service, read ahead for what to know about EtG testing.

What Is It?

Ethyl Glucuronide (EtG) is a metabolite of ethyl alcohol and a direct biomarker for alcohol exposure. ETG can be detected in an ETG hair test, ETG urine test, and even an ETG fingernail test.

This ethanol typically comes from alcoholic beverages, and ethyl glucuronide is found in hair strands when analyzed.

When Is It Necessary?

An EtG hair test is often required for circumstances involving court orders, such as drug testing required for child custody decisions. You can also test someone you suspect of struggling with alcohol abuse. The test results are fast, and you can help them begin the rehabilitation process as quickly as possible.

How Accurate Is It?

EtG hair testing is far more effective than other methods like urine analysis when needing a more extensive detection time. The detection time for an EtG hair test is an estimated 90 days, whereas a urine EtG test can only detect alcohol 80 hours from consumption. EtG fingernail testing has an estimated look back of three to six months. Hair samples are not only easy to collect, but it is difficult to cheat since it requires taking strands of hair straight from the subject.

Why Is It Preferred?

A hair test is far less invasive than a urine test, and far easier to administer. A urine or blood test becomes ineffective after one to three days, as substances are quickly filtered out of the body through urine, but hair strands, as previously mentioned, retain that history for up to 90 days. Hair even records drug use chronologically, making it easier to determine the pattern of alcohol consumption.