Ethyl Glucuronide (Etg) testing has increased the window of detection of alcohol use by analyzing urine, blood or hair for the relevant indicators. EtG is a breakdown product unique to alcohol that accumulates in the blood as alcohol levels decline. Etg is a minor metabolite of ethanol (ethyl alcohol). It is formed in vivo as a consequence of alcohol consumption. A small fraction (0.02%) of a dose of alcohol is conjugated in the liver with glucuronic acid to form ethyl glucuronide. Chemicals called fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) appear in the blood within 12 to 18 hours of someone having a drink, but they are eventually stored in the hair.
Distinct EtG uses & advantages:
• Safety sensitive work environment
• Zero tolerance programs
(driving, pregnancy,
other)
• Substance Treatment and monitoring
Programs
• Detects recent use
• No false positives (invivo
fermentation)
Random alcohol and drug testing are useful in creating a deterrent to abuse in schools and offices. If an employee or student is aware that you have a "zero tolerance program" in place where anyone can be screened for alcohol and drug abuse, they have an excuse to say no to peer pressure.
Simple Facts about Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol affects your brain. Drinking alcohol leads to a loss
of coordination, poor judgment, slowed reflexes, distorted vision,
memory lapses, and even blackouts. About the only organ not affected by the abuse of alcohol is your ears.
Alcohol affects your body.
Alcohol can damage every organ in your body. It is absorbed directly
into your bloodstream and can increase your risk for a variety of
life-threatening diseases, including cancer. (alcoholic men actually have an increased instance of breast cancer) Alcohol contains empty calories - adding non-nutritional calories to your diet, 3 drinks in a night mixed with a soda or juice or equivalent to more than 1000 calories. Alcohol also dries out your skin- adding years to your face before your time.
Alcohol affects your self-control.
Alcohol depresses your central nervous system, lowers your inhibitions,
and impairs your judgment. Drinking can lead to risky behaviors, such
as driving when you shouldn't, or having unprotected sex. It may be fun in the beginning to go to school and hear about the weekend scandals but after awhile the stories become boring whereas the negative consequences increase.
Alcohol can kill you. Drinking large amounts of alcohol at one
time or very rapidly can cause alcohol poisoning, which can lead to coma
or even death. Driving and drinking also can be deadly. In 2003, 31 percent
of drivers age 15 to 20 who died in traffic accidents had been drinking
alcohol.
Alcohol can hurt you--even if you're not the one drinking.
If you're around people who are drinking, you have an increased risk of
being seriously injured, involved in car crashes, or affected by
violence. At the very least, you may have to deal with people who are
sick, out of control, or unable to take care of themselves.
Alcohol testing by
private alcohol and drug screening companies has become common place for employers, sport facilitators and schools. Post accident testing to confirm if an individual was intoxicated at the time of an accident can alleviate company responsibilities for employee and student hardships due to alcohol abuse. Knowing that there will be random screening can also provide a platform for a student to say no and not succumb to peer pressure.
A zero tolerance approach for
testing and detecting alcohol in the body is to test for Ethyl Glucoronide (EtG). Etg is a minor metabolite of Ethyl Alcohol and can be detected in hair samples months after abuse took place.
Private alcohol and drug screening companies are used today to assist in court cases related to :
DUI/DWI related incidents
Underage Drinking in public and/or private homes
Parolee zero tolerance programs
Traffic Accidents
Contribution to Death
If you think you have a problem with alcohol, you probably do. There are a host of free support groups to find out how much help you need to overcome alcohol abuse. You can overcome addiction to alcohol or any other mind/mood altering substance.