Originally Posted by DrBill100

SOHT states

15. Either EtG or FAEE can be used independently for chronic excessive alcohol consumption assessment. For mutual confirmation and for exclusion of false positive or false negative results the determination of both parameters can be useful, in some special cases.

See Society of Hair Testing, Consensus Statement, 2011

However, there is a new Consensus Statement to be voted on in June 2012 which states that it is EtG that should be given priority and that the two should not be used in isolation.

See Proposed Consensus Statement, SOHT, 2012

Certainly EtG is influenced by normal hygiene, and is incorporated into hair erratically. There are more effective, accurate and less expensive tests available particularly when attempting to demonstrate chronic excessive drinking.