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suninfun21 · Oct 11, 2011, 08:34 AM

I drank Saturday night until around 12:30 a.m. I may have an ETG test Wednesday morning at 7:00 a.m. I am 5'0 tall/130 pounds. I drank 3 22 ounce beers and 5 wine coolers. What are my odds of passing an ETG? I am an active individual.

DrBill100 · Oct 11, 2011, 10:01 AM

At that time interval and based on amount of consumption you should be in the clear.

If you are concerned can figure a little closer by knowing your gender, age, and size and brand of the wine coolers. Really don't think it's necessary but can help if needed.

suninfun21 · Oct 11, 2011, 10:34 AM

I hope so, I have been sober for 20 months and in a program for over 18 months and had something tragic happen and turned to my "old" resort.. drinking. I have less than 3 months left in this program and I am very scared of having to start over on top of already "beating" myself up. I did do a PBT Sunday morning and at 11:00 a.m. I was at 0.

I am not even sure how to "count" how many hours that would be from the time I was at zero.

I appreciate your assistance Dr. Bill and any further assistance you could provide me in calculating the time, etc. I am so worried.

DrBill100 · Oct 11, 2011, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by suninfun21

I hope so, I have been sober for 20 months and in a program for over 18 months and had something tragic happen and turned to my "old" resort..drinking. I have less than 3 months left in this program and I am very scared of having to start over on top of already "beating" myself up. I did do a PBT Sunday morning and at 11:00 a.m. I was at 0.

I am not even sure how to "count" how many hours that would be from the time I was at zero.

I appreciate your assistance Dr. Bill and any further assistance you could provide me in calculating the time, etc. I am so worried.

First, if you are aiming for total abstinence and remained sober for 20 months you were very successful and a lapse does not erase that success. If we assess your progress daily, you took 600 steps forward and one step back. Just keep looking and planning forward and don't be drawn into the old theory of going back to square one. Of having failed.

Any objective assessment points to significant personal progress not failure. Just think of the problems that have been avoided during the past 20 months.

Figuring elimination to 0 BAC really isn't possible within any degree of accuracy. Just use the results from your test 11:00 AM Sunday. That provides a minimum of 68 hours for EtG elimination. That should be adequate.

Please check back and let us know how it worked out and by all means keep the 600-1 ratio in mind.

suninfun21 · Oct 11, 2011, 03:38 PM

Is there anything I can do in the next 24 hours prior to the test that will help detoxify my system to enhance my chances of testing. I am really worried.

DrBill100 · Oct 11, 2011, 03:52 PM

Not to my knowledge. My advice to anyone taking an EtG test, even if they haven't had a drink in years, is to remain well hydrated and eat healthy. Water guards against false positives from environmental ethanol and a good meal increases blood flow to the liver.

suninfun21 · Oct 11, 2011, 03:54 PM

I just found out the cut off level is 100... do you still think I will pass?

DrBill100 · Oct 11, 2011, 04:07 PM

Originally Posted by suninfun21

I just found out the cut off level is 100...do you still think I will pass?

Yes. That is more or less standard in total abstinence settings.

suninfun21 · Oct 11, 2011, 04:41 PM

Thank you so much for your knowledge. Also, I appreciate your words of encouragement. It has been an effort to just get out of bed after my relapse and to go to work.

DrBill100 · Oct 11, 2011, 05:16 PM

Originally Posted by suninfun21

Thank you so much for your knowledge. Also, I appreciate your words of encouragement. It has been an effort to just get out of bed after my relapse and to go to work.

You lapsed. You did not relapse. You did not return to your old drinking behaviors. Over 90% of past alcohol abusers lapse yet don't return to their old style of drinking. It is so common that it is viewed as symptomatic.

Out of 601 days (app) you drank once. That is one hell of an accomplishment. Look at your behavior realistically and you will be fine. You now have a history of recent sobriety that you can draw upon.

You have my best wishes and I'll be concerned until I hear back from you.

suninfun21 · Oct 12, 2011, 09:23 AM

Dr. Bill: I was called in for testing this morning and for whatever reason (not for me to question) they did NOT ETG me. They did do a PBT. I am relieved! I also went and saw my counselor yesterday who I have been seeing once or twice a month and have now scheduled weekly appointments to "get my head back on track" and to deal with the tragic situation that caused me to "go over the edge" for a day.

Thank you so much. I don't know you, however, you are very much appreciated!

8 o )