Random Alcohol Screening

Alcohol testing acts as a deterrent to deter alcohol abuse in the workplace or in the case of alcohol abuse occurring to what level.

By performing a random Alcohol Screen, it is possible to identify alcohol abusers before an accident occurs and allow for the necessary treatment.   If that particular staff member has taken unauthorised time off work it may begin to explain why that has happened.

Various types of Test to detect Alcohol Abuse

Hair Strand Analysis

Alcohol is socially well accepted. However, from time to time there may be cause to establish a difference between social drinkers and those who chronically abuse alcohol. For many years scientists have been researching the detection of alcohol in hair. When a person consumes alcohol, various alcohol metabolites are released into the body. These metabolites are released from the scalp and deposited on the exterior of the hair shaft as the hair grows.

These metabolites, including Ethyl Glucuronide (EtG), are analysed using techniques known as LC/MS/MS (Liquid Chromatography coupled with tandem Mass Spectrometry detection).

By closely monitoring these metabolites it is possible to distinguish whether someone does not drink alcohol, is a social drinker or whether they are a chronic abuser.

There has been an increase in the use of Hair Alcohol analysis testing throughout the UK to identify chronic alcohol abusers in recent years. This type of test has been identified by corporations to provide an accurate historical record of alcohol abuse, or can provide evidence of long term abstinence.

It is also preferred by many due to the sample collection being non-invasive with no blood required.

By performing a hair strand EtG test it is possible to determine if staff members or new recruits are abusing alcohol over a 3 month period

Blood Analysis

Carbohydrate Deficient Transferrin (CDT) Analysis

Carbohydrate Deficient Transferrin (CDT), is a widely recognised specific bio-marker of chronic moderate to heavy alcohol consumption.

In cases where the sample donor is abusing alcohol, you would expect to see an elevated CDT reading. In conjunction with an elevated LFT or EtG reading it would strongly suggest that the sample donor is abusing alcohol. Alternatively, if the sample donor can demonstrate a low CDT reading that would strongly suggest that the sample donor is abstaining from alcohol abuse.  The window of detection of alcohol abuse is approximately 4 weeks.