While alcohol use is socially acceptable in many situations, there are crucial scenarios where it is not—especially in the workplace. Being under the influence at work or arriving intoxicated poses serious safety and liability concerns.
At Test Smartly Labs, we offer a comprehensive range of alcohol testing services tailored to your specific needs and budget, whether for workplace compliance, legal matters, or personal peace of mind.
How Long Can Alcohol Remain in Your System?
Alcohol tests help determine recent alcohol consumption and the approximate amount present in the body. Detection windows vary based on test type, individual body composition, age, metabolism, and genetics.
In general, alcohol testing must be done within the following time frames:
- Breath: Up to 24 hours
- Blood: Up to 12 hours
- Hair: Up to 90 days
- Saliva: One to five days
- Urine: 10-12 hours
Types of Alcohol Tests
To account for the various lengths of time that alcohol can remain in the system, several tests are available. These include:
Breath alcohol testing:
A breathalyzer measures Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) through exhalation. It’s widely used in roadside checks and workplace testing for immediate results.
Blood alcohol testing:
This method involves drawing a blood sample to assess alcohol levels. It is considered highly accurate and often used in legal contexts.
-
Legal intoxication: ≥ 0.08%
Urine alcohol testing (EtG & EtS testing):
After an individual urinates in a sample cup, it can be sent to labs to be tested. Even when someone drinks a small amount, EtG and EtS can be found in their urine. EtG, also known as ethyl glucuronide, is a byproduct of ethanol that can be detected in these tests.
ETG hair alcohol testing:
Alcohol can remain in a person’s system longer than you’d realize – especially in their hair. Alcohol traces remain in hair follicles for up to 90 days, making this one of the most reliable tests for identifying long-term alcohol use.
Alcohol Testing Services at Test Smartly Labs
At Test Smartly Labs, we offer a variety of alcohol testing options to meet your budget and needs. We’re a trusted partner and often perform alcohol tests for:
-
Department of Transportation (DOT) compliance
-
Employer and workplace screening
-
Post-accident testing
-
Court and legal proceedings
-
Personal or family-related testing
Peth Blood Spot (Alcohol Testing)
Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is a chemical compound that is found in the blood of people who drink alcohol. The detection of phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is the blood is the basis of PEth testing that provides information about alcohol use. This is a new testing technique that is becoming increasing popular.
Drug Testing Types, Methods & Specimen Collection
Examining the wide assortment of drug testing options available and exploring the potential pros and cons of each method
There are several reasons or circumstances that can lead to the necessity of a drug test.
Lab-Based Drug Testing vs. Instant Drug Screening
The process and specifics related to drug screening can be overwhelming and intimidating to even the most seasoned employer, lawyer, law enforcement officer, or civilian. Drug screening is utilized for a variety of reasons, ranging from supporting a loved one in recovery, to court appointed mandate, to safety precautions for a job.
Alcohol & the Workplace
While you’d like to think “not me… not my employees or my workplace,” this is a dangerous thought. Just take a look:
“Rates of past month heavy alcohol use ranged from 17.5 percent among workers in the mining industry to 4.4 percent among workers in the health care and social assistance industry.” source: SAMHSA study
Mining, construction and food service industries have the highest percentages of workers who claim to heavily drink alcohol.
Teenage Alcohol Testing
Alcohol is the #1 substance most widely used and abused by teenagers. According to the 2016 Monitoring the Future study,
“Six out of every ten students (61%) have consumed alcohol (more than just a few sips) by the end of high school, and about a quarter (23%) have done so by 8th grade. In fact, nearly half (46%) of 12th graders and one in eleven (9%) 8th graders in 2016 reported having been drunk at least once in their life.”
Test Smartly Labs can help you determine if your teen has been drinking alcohol. We offer a variety of options when it comes to alcohol testing. Contact us to learn your options.
What we Need
Preparing for Your Drug or Alcohol Test
- Bring your Government Issued Picture ID
- Bring Drug Test Paperwork or Authorization
- Complete TSL Intake Form & HIPAA Disclosure
- Pay for your test on site
- Make sure you are hydrated if you are performing a Urine Test
- Expect to have your nail polish removed if getting a Nail Drug Test
- We do not need your prescription information but a Medical Review Officer
(MRO) may contact you after collection to verify your medications. - For urine testing, plan on arriving 3 hours before we close (1 hr
minimum) to provide a cushion of time for a shy bladder situation. - For hair testing, be sure to dry your hair completely before arriving.
- For nail testing, be sure to clean your nails with soap and water
before arriving. Also, artificial nails and polish must be removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Your Hours?
All Test Smartly Labs are open Monday through Friday, from 9am – 5pm
Do We Need To Have An Appointment?
No appointment is required to come into our labs, and all of our locations are on a walk-in basis. However, it is recommended you arrive at least 30 minutes prior to closing. If your situation requires special time considerations, please call us to determine if it would be better to arrange an appointment time.
Do I Need Doctors’ Orders For Testing?
No doctors’ orders needed, we are a Direct-Access Testing Center. You are encouraged to consult your medical professional with your lab test results.
What’s The Turnaround Time For Lab Work?
Average turnaround time is 2-5 business days depending on the complexity of the lab work. Most tests are available in 2-3 days.
Do You Need A List Of My Medications For A Drug Test?
Per protocol, the lab techs are not allowed to receive or ask for your medications. A medical review officer or MRO, a licensed physician who specializes in toxicology, will call you and ask for your medications and your physician’s phone number if it’s detected in your sample during testing. The MRO will then call your physician to verify your medications.
Contact Us Today
If you, a loved one or your entire company can benefit from alcohol testing, contact Test Smartly Labs today. You can come to us at your convenience, or we can come to you any day of the week at any time or Simply Walk-in! We appreciate your future business.
Whatever Lab Test, Drug Test Or DNA Test You Need, We’re Here To Help!
Test Smartly Labs is your one-source for a Direct-Access Lab Testing in Greater Kansas City. We partner with only the leading laboratories in the USA to provide accessible, affordable, and accurate lab tests, drug & alcohol tests, and advanced DNA testing. We specialize in local access for ALL TYPES of testing, and we make it super easy for you! Helping you take control of your health through lab testing is our only business!
