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View Full Version : Will I pass my EtG test if I drank 3 days ago?


John_Clayton
Mar 20, 2012, 05:58 PM
Probation sprung a surprise EtG test on me. They took my urine sample at 5pm Tuesday. The preceding Thursday I had 4 beers. Friday I had 10 beers over 6-7 hours. Saturday I had one glass of champagne and 3 beers over a 3.5 hour period. I stopped drinking on Saturday night before 9pm. I am a 25 year old male, 5'10" tall and 170 lbs. If it was 68 hours between my last drink and the time that I provided the sample, is there any possible way that I could have passed my test?

DrBill100
Mar 20, 2012, 06:40 PM
What time did you have the last beer, of the 10 on Friday?

Also, for my information, what were you told about EtG testing? Was the detection time explained? Were you warned of avoiding foods and products that contain alcohol?

It sounds as though you are expecting to fail the test.

John_Clayton
Mar 20, 2012, 06:48 PM
I had my last beer on Friday before 11pm. I had no warning of the test, I was called in randomly to see my probation officer between visits(I think because I have an alcohol related charge and it was after St. Patrick's day weekend). All information I have on EtG testing is what I've read online. To be perfectly honest, I knew I shouldn't drink, and that is my fault and am responsible for that error in judgement. But as for any instruction as to what to avoid as far as foods or products, there was none. I want to know if I can possibly pass this test so that I can stay free and take care of my family, furthermore what are my chances of passing?

DrBill100
Mar 20, 2012, 06:57 PM
No one can predict whether any given individual will pass an EtG test due to the test itself.

However, there will probably be no detectable EtG in your system from the drinking as you describe it. Those were three different episodes, separated by time, during which EtG from the previous episode was excreting. EtG is not cumulative. You probably slipped under the wire.

John_Clayton
Mar 20, 2012, 07:02 PM
Thank you, whoever you are, if for no other reason than for the piece of mind you've provided me and my wife.

DrBill100
Mar 20, 2012, 07:19 PM
Thank you, whoever you are, if for no other reason than for the piece of mind you've provided me and my wife.

You just got lucky (I guess) Had your Friday and Saturday drinking been reversed you would be in much greater danger of detection. That and the fact that EtG testing isn't understood by the majority of those involved in the process.

So take advantage and steer clear of the hooch until you're no longer subject to the test.

miztery
Mar 25, 2012, 10:13 PM
Did you pass?

John_Clayton
Mar 28, 2012, 07:37 PM
I haven't gotten results yet. Say a prayer for me and my family please.

miztery
Mar 29, 2012, 01:03 AM
OK I will

ETG
Mar 29, 2012, 08:04 AM
When will you find out the results? Have you spoke with any others that had a similar situation? I too am going through the same thing; however, I drank on Friday, ending at 10:30 and tested Monday at 9:00 AM. Ahh, I'm mortified at the possibilities. :-((

John_Clayton
Mar 31, 2012, 09:50 AM
I too am mortified at the possible outcome. I will find out soon. If I don't post a response by late next week it will most likely mean that the worst has happened. However, I am praying every time I begin to panic and have turned it over to God. There is nothing I can do at this point but hope and pray for this situation to resolve itself positively. I will pray that your situation turns out well. Take care and try to trust that there is a plan. God bless.

John_Clayton
Apr 2, 2012, 10:47 AM
Dr. Bill, that date to find out the results of the test is rapidly approaching. If you come back across this for some reason would you please mull over the facts I've given you once more and give your opinion again. I've read, in more research, that the test can go back up to 130 hrs. I pray this is false information. Please confirm.

DrBill100
Apr 2, 2012, 11:51 AM
The 130 detection window is derived from Helander, 2008. It was conducted in a detox unit and the study does note the 130 hours in the abstract even though he admits that this was unexplainable and probably resulted from surreptitious drinking on the part of this subject.

The below link will take you to that study, see Figure 2, and you will note that the detection at 130 hours had actually dropped into negative range between around the 60-70 hours and then suddenly rebounded about 5 hours later.

Helander, 2008 (http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/content/44/1/55.long)

John_Clayton
Apr 2, 2012, 12:26 PM
Thank you for your response, but would you please explain what that means for my case in layman terms?

miztery
Apr 2, 2012, 12:32 PM
I have talked to many who have passed in under 80 hours. I don't know what it would take to have it flunk you ast 130!! Seems sooooo unlikely

John_Clayton
Apr 3, 2012, 08:09 AM
I was under 80 hours. And while hearing that there is a possibility to pass makes me feel good, could someone explan how the chart found on the hyperlink above related to my case? Drank one glass of champagne and 2-3 beers 68 hours before providing a sample to be tested. The day before I drank quite a bit more over a longer period. My results are coming soon and the result will be what it will be, I'd just like as many educated opinions as I can get. Thank you.

DrBill100
Apr 3, 2012, 08:28 AM
I was under 80 hours. And while hearing that there is a possibility to pass makes me feel good, could someone explan how the chart found on the hyperlink above related to my case? Drank one glass of champagne and 2-3 beers 68 hours before providing a sample to be tested. The day before I drank quite a bit more over a longer period. My results are coming soon and the result will be what it will be, I'd just like as many educated opinions as I can get. Thank you.

Above you had noted a 130 hour detection window. The above study is the exact, and only, study used to establish that time. That was in response to your question, to wit:


I've read, in more research, that the test can go back up to 130 hrs. I pray this is false information. Please confirm.

The charts relate to your case only in that they demonstrate a wide variance among the many participants.

The averages in that and other studies are informative but have no direct bearing on any specific case. Given the information that you provided, on average, you should be clear of EtG.

I certainly wish that it were possible to provide more precise information. However, the research isn't available. While this test has been used on millions of people, less than 200 have been studied for elimination.

John_Clayton
Apr 3, 2012, 11:04 AM
Thank you again.

ETG
Apr 3, 2012, 01:16 PM
When will you find out the outcome, John?

miztery
Apr 3, 2012, 01:37 PM
Yes this has been going on quite a while. I had a UA on a Wednesday and got results on the following Monday.

ETG
Apr 3, 2012, 01:59 PM
Miztery, what is your understanding of the UA test? Do you know anyone who drank on a Friday and passed by Monday?

miztery
Apr 3, 2012, 02:39 PM
My experience was someone who had 94 hours and passed. The rest is just reading about people. Sorry.

John_Clayton
Apr 3, 2012, 04:42 PM
Did you pass?

ETG
Apr 3, 2012, 05:08 PM
I'm not sure yet, John. As of Monday, the tests were not back. Is your test back?

John_Clayton
Apr 4, 2012, 06:31 AM
I should know by next week. I moved my appointment with my officer. Im on pins and needles though. Does anyone know the average timeframe for getting the results of the test back?

bobotic
Apr 4, 2012, 11:05 PM
Like 3 days, def week at most. (Nj)

miztery
Apr 5, 2012, 12:06 AM
Like 3 days, def week at most. (Nj)

They must have lost it or mishandled it. How can it take this long?

bobotic
Apr 5, 2012, 12:54 AM
I'm sure you passed. They never tell me if I pass, only if I fail. They don't need to tell you if you pass because they don't know your freaking out lol. I hope you did. I'm almost very similar story. Idk if I get an EtG test tomorrow or a reg drug test but the stress is there. I'm fine with the drug test but the EtG I'm around 60 hrs clean. Drank around 4-5 beers for a week straight. I did tons of walking hiking so I should be fine Half life is avg 3 hours

ETG
Apr 5, 2012, 08:11 AM
I was fine. ETG CLEAR!! I had 5 to 6 drinks 57 hours prior to the test! WOO HOOOOO

DrBill100
Apr 5, 2012, 08:33 AM
I was fine. ETG CLEAR!!!! I had 5 to 6 drinks 57 hours prior to the test!! WOO HOOOOO

It would be a big help if you would update your original post.

That helps others in the future, and particularly those that use or are considering use of this test.

Thanks.

ETG
Apr 5, 2012, 06:27 PM
I will do just that Dr. Bill! Thank you for all of your tremendous assistance!

John_Clayton
Apr 11, 2012, 06:06 AM
I found out this morning that I did in fact pass the test. Thank God. Sorry I couldn't say sooner, obviously I needed the results first. Thanks again for all the helpful advice. Take care.

DrBill100
Apr 11, 2012, 05:08 PM
I found out this morning that I did in fact pass the test. Thank God. Sorry I couldn't say sooner, obviously I needed the results first. Thanks again for all the helpful advice. Take care.

Thank you for reporting your results. I reviewed your preceding comments and see that this caused you a great deal of worry and concern.

While the test failed, as it frequently does, that nonetheless provides you with an opportunity to re-evaluate the behavior that brought you the point of being tested to begin with.

The test is hopelessly flawed. Many of those that promote it are misguided and it is widely misused and misinterpreted.

In this instance, that allowed you to avoid detection. I have no idea if you even have a problem with alcohol but, if so, hope you find a way to turn this to your positive advantage.

Thanks again for following through.

fieryval74
Jun 12, 2012, 09:33 AM
I had a shot in a half of jim beam on Sunday afternoon around 3:30pm. I got asked to do a UA today, not sure if there are going to ETG, but a possibliity that was the only time I have drank. If I take me UA today at 6pm. Will I pass?

DrBill100
Jun 12, 2012, 11:22 AM
I had a shot in a half of jim beam on Sunday afternoon around 3:30pm. I got asked to do a UA today, not sure if there are going to ETG, but a possibliity that was the only time I have drank. If I take me UA today at 6pm. Will I pass?

See answer here: https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/addictions/1-drink-670009.html#post3149902

Roady2011
Jun 28, 2012, 06:49 AM
If I had 2 beers Friday one Saturday and one Sunday will I pass an EtG alcohol test today?

DrBill100
Jun 28, 2012, 07:02 AM
EtG is cumulative so it is only most recent use that is of consequence. You will be entirely clear of EtG at that time span.

dar12mck
Jul 10, 2012, 09:08 AM
Hey dr bill I have to take a EtG test at 4:30 today and on Friday I had about 9 beers and five normal size drinks. I predicted that I would have a bac of 0 at about 2 or 3 o'clock on sat. Friday I worked out pretty hard before we went to the bbq and drank. I took it easy on saturday(just drank water) Sunday I did 8.5 miles on the bike and lifted while drinking about a gallon and a half of water. Monday drank water all day and ran 4 miles. Tuesday, which is today I have to take the test by 4:30. Forgot to add that the weekend of June 29th through the 1st I drank, but did not drink all week up until Friday at 5pm and stopped around midnight. By what I described in drinking all the water(which I drink about a little less than a gallon a day anyways) and excersise do you think I will pass the test at 4:30? I am male about 165 and height 5'9. Thank you

DrBill100
Jul 10, 2012, 05:24 PM
hey dr bill i have to take a etg test at 4:30 today and on friday i had about 9 beers and five normal size drinks. i predicted that i would have a bac of 0 at about 2 or 3 o'clock on sat. friday i worked out pretty hard before we went to the bbq and drank. i took it easy on saturday(just drank water) sunday i did 8.5 miles on the bike and lifted while drinking about a gallon and a half of water. monday drank water all day and ran 4 miles. tuesday, which is today i have to take the test by 4:30. forgot to add that the weekend of june 29th through the 1st i drank, but did not drink all week up untill friday at 5pm and stopped around midnight. by what i discribed in drinking all the water(which i drink about alittle less than a gallon a day anyways) and excersise do you think i will pass the test at 4:30? i am male about 165 and hieght 5'9. thank you

I calculated about 86 hours from last drink until test. Does that sound right?

Even after heavy drinking the test seldom detects EtG longer than 78 hours. You should be OK at that time interval.

dar12mck
Jul 10, 2012, 09:08 PM
I calculated about 86 hours from last drink until test. Does that sound right?

Even after heavy drinking the test seldom detects EtG longer than 78 hours. You should be OK at that time interval.

Yes dr bill that sounds right, give or take a half to one hour or so. I really appreciate your thoughts on this matter and do not plan on putting myself through this again. You're the best and take care

dar12mck
Jul 10, 2012, 09:14 PM
yes dr bill that sounds right, give or take a half to one hour or so. i really appreciate your thoughts on this matter and do not plan on putting myself through this again. your the best and take care

Oh and one more thing dr bill, does excersise and water help my odds. And I read somewhere that the ethenal clock starts when you are at a bac of 0.. Is it from last drink? Thanks again

DrBill100
Jul 11, 2012, 06:23 AM
oh and one more thing dr bill, does excersise and water help my odds. and i read somewhere that the ethenal clock starts when you are at a bac of 0.. is it from last drink? thanks again

Exercise is way down the line. Food, eating before, during or after drinking is far more effective because it enhances blood flow to the liver. This applies to the metabolism of ethanol, whether food increases elimination of EtG has never been directly assessed. However, EtG is a liver metabolite.

If you have a reliable method for determining BAC such as breath-a-lyzer then BAC=0 can be helpful but not necessary. Most of the research uses last drink. Calculating BAC using a formula like Widmark is always imprecise and doesn't add much more than using last drink as the benchmark. In the long haul it is helpful information and adds a second check but individually adds little.

As EtG is water soluble it is well established that simply drinking moderate amounts of water confounds the test results.


Dahl, 2011 (http://publications.ki.se/jspui/bitstream/10616/40395/1/Dr%20Helen%20Dahl%20Bok%20bib.pdf)

Syzygyus
Jul 26, 2012, 03:14 PM
Ok, opposite question... I haven't drank in weeks, getting EtG tests every mon & thurs. how far back will they detect a little or a lot for court? Ex wacko will try anything.

DrBill100
Jul 26, 2012, 08:51 PM
Ok, opposite question... I haven't drank in weeks, getting etg tests every mon & thurs. how far back will they detect a little or a lot for court? Ex wacko will try anything.

Could you clarify your question for me?

Syzygyus
Jul 28, 2012, 12:27 PM
The question is, how long back is EtG test in determining light or heavy drinking? For court. Zero drinking, but how far back will it prove or show any light or heavy drinking.

DrBill100
Jul 28, 2012, 01:25 PM
Lower amounts of alcohol are pretty well researched. In broad figures: 1 drink is detectable for under 24, 2 drinks under 36, up to 4 or 5 under 48. Once you get beyond that the figures aren't well defined Very heavy drinking, binge drinking, and drinking on consecutive days may be detectable near the 80 hour mark. The longer time spans are almost always derived from studies conducted in detox units, diagnosed chronic alcoholics.

The problem with EtG/EtS research is the small groups studied. Usually 1-10 individuals. That doesn't provide adequate information on which to reach broad conclusion on a population basis.

Syzygyus
Jul 28, 2012, 04:21 PM
Thanks! Any sources for the above in smaller amounts? Not that I'll need it (I hope).

DrBill100
Jul 28, 2012, 04:26 PM
Thanks! Any sources for the above in smaller amounts? Not that i'll need it (I hope).

Sure.

A standard drink, 1 beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1.5 oz of liquor contains 14 g of absolute alcohol (PA).

A very informative study is by Wojcik & Hawthorne (2007) (http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/agm014v1#T1) indicating that most consumption at 1-2 drinks is detectable for less than 24 hours. The number tested was 19. But it was a naturalistic setting.

1 drink (beer) 18.5 hr in Toxicology News (http://www.aacc.org/SiteCollectionDocuments/Publications/cftn/CFTn_Dec_2006.pdf) [Article is not properly referenced]. Shows graph no data or citation also shows 3 glasses of wine.

2 drinks (22-28 g) .4 g/kg twice daily Involved 9 healthy females. This checked for accumulation of EtG following daily consumption. Sarkola (2003) Alcohol and Alcoholism (http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/content/38/4/347.abstract?ijkey=61d92d391d29d5267e49ff0bef83e97 3c073c63b&keytype2=tf_ipsecsha)

2 drinks (24 g) EtG levels maximally elevated within 3-8 h and above baseline for up to 39 h after a 24 g ethanol drink, and a dose-dependent increase in the percentage of ethanol excreted as EtG with increasing oral ethanol use. Abstract; Rosano & Lin 2008 (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19007508). 250 cutoff

2-3 drinks (.5 g/kg), range 25.0-41.5 g, of 5% beer, 30 minutes, in 6 healthy volunteers “The ethanol concentration returned to zero at 6.5 h, whereas EtG was still detectable for up to 22.5-31.5 h, albeit at low levels in the end (< 1 mg/l). Dahl (2002) (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12054359?dopt=Abstract)

dumbo99
Jan 14, 2013, 03:56 AM
Dr Bill I have a urine test on Wednesday at 1pm. I drank Friday around 5 beers and Saturday around 5 beers and stopped at 11pm if I have a test Wednesday will I pass? This could be an EtG test. Its for a substance abuse evaluation court ordered because of a 1st time dui

desperatedrunk
Jan 21, 2013, 10:19 PM
I am somewhat in the same boat. However I'm due at rehab Thurs am. It's now Sunday night. Sat night I drank 2 super cans of beer. Friday I drank 10 beer and 2 on Thurs. I am freaking out now, and yes my own damn fault. But wondering if there's anyway I can still pass this test. I NEED rehab!

almcbrayer
Mar 19, 2013, 05:06 AM
Hey Dr. Bill,

I had a couple of after work drinks on Thursday and stopped drinking by 6:30 P.M. and have not had anything to drink since then, will I pass an ETG test on Tuesday. I have not had anything else.

honeyvic111
Apr 14, 2013, 06:56 AM
I drank 11 5.9% 12 ounce beers Thursday over a nine hour period from 10am to 7pm Im 5 10 190lbs and tested Monday at 10am and have done this several times and have passed all the EtG test