[Regretfully01]

I re-lapsed, yes lapsed not used again with an period of sobriety. My point being is that I regret my mistake and am handling it through my support network and would rather not let probation know. I had a surprise ETG test Monday and drank about a pint of vodka on Thursday and stopped at approximately 8:00 p.m. I re-hydrated thoroughly the next day (Friday) and drank probably a little more than the average water re-commended per person daily on Saturday and Sunday. I am 180 lbs at about 6'3" and drank 2 cups of water and 2 cups of coffee Monday morning... I am somewhat sure that I will be OK but I am still nervous a little about the test. Also I did have a friend pass this test before and he said he drank heavily liquor and beer Saturday and passed the test Monday morning. I am curious as to the validity of the 80 hour claim. As well as should I be concerned?

[DrBill100]

One pint (375 mL) 80 proof spirits contains 8.5 standard drinks (US). At your weight that requires about 10 hours (max) to BAC = 0 leaving about 74 hours for EtG clearance. That should be sufficient but it's close.

That your friend passed with only a short clearance interval isn't shocking. EtG synthesis varies widely from one individual to another.

The '80 h Ethyl Glucuronide (EtG) test' has become an idiom of the alcohol testing community. Always prefaced by "up to". A review of the literature shows this window of detection applies only to extreme cases, according to Wojcik & Hawthorne.

[hambone1987]

Yep...

"Commercially available EtG testing, even using a 100 ng/ml cut-off and 24 h waiting period, is not effective at detecting low dose alcohol consumption; and (iii) Our results are actually very consistent with what is published in the scientific literature, which shows that the '80 h EtG test' only applies to very large drinking episodes."

[hambone1987]

You're good man.

[Regretfully01]

Thank you for the quick feedback Dr and Hambone... Also my friend that passed the EtG 24+ a few hours after a heavey episode was given the same tests through the same lab. So if that adds any detail that would further give you an idea of what I am dealing with. I will know the results today and let you know!

[RNBSN]

I think that you are fine-no matter the cutoff level used by the lab. I would suspect the if your friend passed after drinking that close to the test, that the cutoff is either 500 or 1000. If you find your results, please post them-with the cutoff level if you know.