While Alcohol is not part of the standard "NIDA 5" drug test, it is not uncommon to test for in some situations. It is less common in pre-employment tests, but is relatively common for parole testing or random on the job testing, especially for safety sensitive jobs.
Urine testing for Ethyl glucuronide (EtG), a direct metabolite of alcohol, offers an extended window for detecting consumption. Published studies differ on detection period, stating ranges from 80 hours to up to 5 days. This test requires expensive equipment to perform and has not been widely used.
In September, 2006, the Department of Health and Human Services reported a
study questioning the reliability of this method. The study reports: "At issue is whether exposure to alcohol or to the vapors of alcohol in many commercial products, such as personal care items, over-the-counter medications, cleaning products, desserts, wine vinegar, and the like or combinations of these products may cause elevation in EtG or EtS that could appear to be a return to drinking." SAMHSA released an
advisory shortly thereafter stating that courts would likely question the admissability of EtG forensic evidence as a consequence of this study. (thanks, C!)
As of November 2002, it appears that alcohol use can not be detected with a hair test.
