Hello,

My son recently had an ETG test performed. Prior to the testing I asked the counselor what was the cut off point and he was unable to tell me; however they use millennium labs and the cut off is 500. My question is the following: my son was tested at 8:30pm, but prior to that at about 6pm, he had a philly cheese steak with lemonade and in the morning at about 8am he used his cologne. He is also using deordant that has steryl alcohol in it.

After leaving the counselor, I felt very uneasy and did some research and I have found that cologne and yeast mixed with sugar can cause false - positives. What are the chances you think he will show up as positive. He has not drank and was in a residential program for 7 months prior to enrolling in outpatient. His drug of choice is marijuana. Finally, we were not given any forms that told us what to avoid, I am finding all this out after the fact. The counselor during our initial meeting briefly mentioned the ETG and how accurate it was.

Thank you for your help -- I am a concerned Mom -- my son;s freedom is riding on this test.

First, I am not a Dr. However, I have been ETG testing 3x/week for 7 months and not perfume, not bread, fruit, hairspray, hand sanitizer, shampoo, nor any other substances ever shown up as a false positive on any of my ETGs w/ a 500 cutoff. At that level, as far as I understand, you HAVE to have consumed alcohol in order for the ETG metabolites to be present.

I have an ignition interlock in my vehicle that I am far more scared of than the ETG test, as far as sensitivity. I have been warned about pretty much all the things you mentioned, and more... fruit, pizza, mouthwash (obviously) hand sanitizer, perfume/cologne, gasoline, etc. causing false positives.

At that cutoff, you and your son should have nothing to worry about as long as he has not had a drink.

Thank you. I have not been able to sleep since Monday and I obviously I am still unable to as it 1am here on the east coast. I hope all goes well. I will call the counselor tomorrow to see if the results are back -- he said they would be back by Thursday definitely.Thank you again I am praying you are correct ;)!

The prohibitions go beyond just drinking it... but the use of any products that contains it. Some drunks put it up their butt for it to be absorbed claiming "they never drank it" like that makes any difference.


If he follows the rules to the letter and avoids use of it in any form... then there won't be a positive test result.

As far as hand sanitizers go... soap and water works splendedly and has since its invention... and has no alcohol.

As well realize that everyone's body will metbolism the alcohol at a different rate. It isn't all the same. If the alcohol gets into his blood stream, through digestion or dermal exposure, it will produce the metabolite. As Smoothy said, you need to avoid all possible sources of alcohol, if only to not give a false positive and the headaches associated with it.

As well, Soap and water is a far better at destroying germs than hand sanitizer.