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Alcohol Testing

DATCS is a prominent national alcohol screening company in the United States

We are renowned for our role as educators in the industry and believe alcohol testing is essential in promoting safety and well-being in workplaces, communities, and schools.  As a trusted provider of alcohol testing services for over 35 years, we have perfected reliable screening methods, including breath tests, to ensure the safety of your workplace.

Alcohol abuse is a significant health and economic concern in the United States today. Each year, excessive alcohol consumption causes over 140,000 deaths in the U.S., according to the CDC. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of our communities. Contact one of our locations today to learn more about alcohol testing.

Reasons for Alcohol Testing

These statistics demonstrate the profound and wide-reaching impacts of alcohol abuse and underscore the importance of alcohol testing in various sectors of society, especially in the workplace.

  • An estimated 10,142 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in the U.S., accounting for 28% of all traffic-related deaths.
  • The U.S. Department of Labor reports that 16% of workplace accidents involve alcohol.
  • Excessive alcohol use costs the U.S. about $249 billion annually.
  • Alcohol is a factor in 40% of all industrial fatalities and 47% of industrial injuries.
  • Over 10% of U.S. children live with a parent with alcohol problems.
  • Alcohol is linked to 232 million missed work days per year in the US
  • Alcohol testing is tax-deductible
  • Peace of mind is knowing you have a drug-free workplace, community, and school.

Choosing the Right Test for the Right Purpose

With various alcohol testing methods available, DATCS ensures precision, reliability, and peace of mind. Take the next step toward a safer environment. Contact DATCS today to determine the best testing solution for your needs.

Types of Alcohol Testing

Each testing method has its specific purpose, and the selection often depends on the circumstances, the required detection window, and the need for accuracy.

It’s important to note that while these tests can detect the presence or recent use of alcohol, they cannot necessarily determine an individual’s tolerance or level of impairment (except for BAC measurements, which have established legal limits.)

There are several methods for testing alcohol consumption, each with its advantages, disadvantages, and appropriate applications.

alcohol breath

Breath Test (Breathalyzer)

  • How it works: Measures the amount of alcohol in the air a person exhales to estimate the blood alcohol concentration (BAC).
  • Use: Commonly used by law enforcement during traffic stops and in workplace alcohol testing to determine current impairment.
  • Advantage: Provides immediate results and is non-invasive.
alcohol urine

Urine Test (EtG Test)

  • How it works: Detects ethyl glucuronide (EtG), a metabolite of alcohol, in the urine.
  • Use: Can detect alcohol consumption long after it’s been metabolized (up to 80 hours, depending on various factors).
  • Advantage: Longer detection window than breath or blood tests.
alcohol saliva

Alcohol Saliva Test

  • How it works: Measures the amount of alcohol present in the saliva, which closely correlates with BAC.
  • Use: Sometimes used as a preliminary screening tool.
  • Advantage: Non-invasive and provides quick results.
alcohol hair

Hair Follicle Test

  • How it works: Tests for the presence of ethyl glucuronide (EtG) or fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) in hair follicles.
  • Use: Can detect alcohol consumption up to 90 days in the past.
  • Advantage: Long detection window, which makes it suitable for assessing long-term alcohol consumption patterns.

Alcohol Testing Questions

Reasons for alcohol testing in the workplace

  • Pre-employment, random, post-accident, return-to-duty, follow-up, and reasonable suspicion testing.
  • Courts today are testing for alcohol through urine, breath, hair, nails, or blood (invasive procedure).
  • Urine indicates alcohol consumption within three days of collection. EtG (Ethyl-Glucuronide) can be detected in urine up to 80 hours after consumption. EtG is a minor metabolite of ethanol (alcohol) produced by the conjugation of ethanol with glucuronic acid. When alcohol is ingested, EtG is quickly created.
  • Nail and hair indicate multiple occurrences of high alcohol consumption within 3 months.
  • Breath alcohol detection has many variables to determine the length of time. Weight, gender, consumption, and other factors are important. DOT regulations say no more attempts to test breath alcohol after 8 hours for a required post-accident.

DATCS offers a variety of professional breath alcohol testers for workplace testing and law enforcement.

Alcohol Testing FAQ

What is the best method for alcohol testing?
Workplace alcohol testing is usually done by breath or saliva. Blood alcohol testing is generally invasive. Saliva alcohol testing is for screening negative results only. These results from an alcohol screening device will not give you the exact levels of alcohol concentration if the (ASD) is 0.02 or higher. Under 49 CFR part 40 of the Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing programs, you must confirm a non-evidential (ASD) saliva test showing over 0.02 alcohol by an approved breathalyzer machine test. Traditional screening methods have their limitations, such as a relatively short window of detection. An alcohol test for EtG, a biomarker test that can detect the presence of ethyl glucuronide in a variety of specimen types, promises a much wider window of detection and is becoming more popular among potential users in the criminal justice, treatment, and workplace markets. EtG (Ethyl glucuronide) testing is often required in child custody agreements before visitation is allowed and requires a laboratory test that can detect the substance up to 80 hours after consumption.