Hi Everyone,

I know there are a ton of posts about passing an ETG tst, just wanted to see what folks thought about my situation. I drank quite a bit on the afternoon of Thanksgiving, stopping at 9:00 p.m. I think I metabolized everything by Friday morning at 6:00 a.m. and had to test on Monday at 5:30 p.m. That would leave 83.5 hours after I likely metabolized my last drink. I drank an enormous amount of water throughout the weekend, took vitamins and ate regularly but did not exercise. I honestly thought that I could still feel alcohol in me on Monday morning but again drank water constantly throughout the day, likely close to a gallon. The sample I gave that afternoon at 5:30 p.m. was very clear and the smallest required amount. I'm hoping that although I still didn't feel 100% back to normal after 3.75 days that it was enough time to wipe the trace from a urine sample. Any thoughts on this?

The test is a 500 cut off. The lab is called Ammon Analytical and they have a website. I think if I don't hear a negative outcome on Monday (two days from now) I will be in the clear. I've since had one meeting post the test this past Thursday (1 week after Thanksgiving and 3 days after giving the sample) and was not informed of any bad news, however we're never informed of good news because we're supposed to follow the rules! Also, someone who also had to give a sample with me this past Monday graduated from the class this past Thursday so I am thinking they should have already had the results.

Thanks for any thoughts.

The key factor with EtG testing is time. Over 90 hours from last drink and 83 from 0 BAC. At that time span no EtG should remain from that drinking session.

Time for reporting results is entirely an agreement between the agency and lab. It is then reported to the agency that administratively processes it. Really no way of predicting processing time and it does not predict result.

I have one question for you. What gave you the idea to drink a lot of water?

It sounds as though you drank a large amount just before the test (clear urine). That is often a signal to the collector. First check is color/visual and temperature. If the urine appears too dilute it can result in a rejection of the sample. In your case that would have been self-defeating as time had cleared the EtG.

So long as the sample wasn't disqualified the water didn't hurt anything, undoubtedly speeded up the elimination process, but was unnecessary.

Would like to hear your results when you get them.

Hi Dr. Bill!

Thanks so much for the reply. I got the idea to drink a lot of water first from others who've passed this test in my class and then from doing a ton of reading online for the past two weeks, mainly from your replies to posts. I recall you mentioning that ETG is water soluble and I figured extra time flushing myself out would only help my chances.

I actually couldn't take the anticipation any longer and called the program I'm attending to ask if they'd received my results as of yet. The receptionist that checks us in weekly confirmed she had received my result and that I was negative for any ETG. I apparently passed but certainly am not going to celebrate stupidly and certainly not until I confirm on Monday in person if needed.

I only have 6 more weeks, or 12 more classes, until I am done with this chapter of my life and have these shackles removed from my personal life. The thought of drinking on a weekend or holiday is always a more palatable decision prior to doing so than after. I have 40 more days left until my last session and in the grand scheme of things that's not even a drop in the bucket. I will confirm for sure Monday evening after my class but it sounds like I am in the clear from the confirmation today.

It's amazing the power that alcohol can wield over people, including myself, to cause you to risk people, places and things (freedom most notably) just to obtain a buzz and be social. I'm not a heavy drinker by any means but it has been difficult to go through the last 10 weeks without having a drink in the company of others when everyone else is doing. But, 40 more days, or 12 more meetings, or 6 more weeks and this is all over.

Sorry but I will chime in, no you are not done with this chapter of your life. You are only delaying it till since you have no respect for the law and still drink knowing you are not suppose to. Your concern and worry was to cheat or find a way not to test possitive even if you are still drinking.

It is just a matter of time till you are right back in this same mess.

Time was your savior. If there's no EtG present then there is nothing to dilute or dissolve.

Diuresis usually defeats the test. Well known in the testing industry and scientific community. It is never mentioned in the public media as it would deter those that order the tests.
The people who are subjected to drug testing of all types automatically think of flushing their system. It's the universal antidote to detection. In most cases it doesn't work but with EtG it does.

Dilution is easily detectable in EtG testing. Since 2002 it has been known that by expressing EtG as as ratio to creatinine overcomes the dilution. It takes less than a minute to make the calculation. It can even be done by the person receiving the test, the agency. But the labs don't take the time and the agencies don't understand the tests, so the game goes on.

I'm glad you recognized that the apprehension counters the benefit of a drunk. You are never safe with this test so any drinking places you in danger as you would have no way of countering a false positive.

I must disagree with you about the power of alcohol. Alcohol has only the power that you assign to it.

Thanks for the information provided and good luck to you.

It's official. I've passed and am on way towards freedom once more. Thanks for everyone's feedback, even the negative.