[ken67]

Found guilty of leaving scene of pd accident to parked car. First probation meeting today at 3pm.
I have drank a pint of 80 proof whiskey evey night for 10 years, however have only drank twice in the last 2 months, I am attending AA and trying hard to beat this demon.

I drank a pint of 80 proof whiskey Satrurday night between 9 and 11pm. I have an EtG today, Wednesday at 3:00 pm. I'm afraid I will fail... your thoughts, sir?

[DrBill100]

Have you had a medical exam recently? That is a significant daily consumption over a very long period. That can change your metabolism.

How did you come into contact with AA?

[ken67]

I went to AA on my own... as I said, I am trying hard to change my life and beat this awful disease.

Smoothy... I have never been "inside", and I was convicted of bumping into a parked car in a parking lot and hitting it with my trailer hitch. I am trying very hard, thanks for your concern,

Dr. Bill, I had 2 years of sobriety from 2009 until late 2011. I see my Dr. regularly, he is helping with my treatment, and surprisingly, I am in very good health.

I am not proud of my powerlessness over alcohol, however I would still like your opinion on whether I may pass this test.

[DrBill100]

I went to AA on my own....as I said, I am trying hard to change my life and beat this awful disease.

Smoothy....I have never been "inside", and I was convicted of bumping into a parked car in a parking lot and hitting it with my trailer hitch. I am trying very hard, thanx for your concern,

Dr. Bill, I had 2 years of sobriety from 2009 until late 2011. I see my Dr. regularly, he is helping with my treatment, and surprisingly, I am in very good health.

I am not proud of my powerlessness over alcohol, however I would still like your opinion on whether I may pass this test.

Ken,

Assuming good health you will probably pass the EtG test but time-wise you are in a zone where residual EtG could be detected. Not likely, but possible. So prepared to deal with either eventuality.

With a history of 2 years continuous sobriety you have a recent viable model that you can continue to build on. A lapse is not a failure. Simply a stumble on the long road to sobriety. You are not the first. So pick-up where you left off and you'll be fine.

How is your doctor helping in this process?

[ken67]

Dr. Is monitoring/controlling BP. Vitamins and supplements in the form of B vitamins and magnesium. Monitoring of liver function/enzymes, which are all good. Also taking campral 333, and will be starting antabuse soon.

I just found out my jurisdiction uses a 500ng cutoff... does this change your opinion on the EtG?

[DrBill100]

Dr. is monitoring/controlling BP. Vitamins and supplements in the form of B vitamins and magnesium. Monitoring of liver function/enzymes, which are all good. Also taking campral 333, and will be starting antabuse soon.

I just found out my jurisdiction uses a 500ng cutoff.....does this change your opinion on the etg?

Sounds like the doctor is taking all of the right steps. The vitamins are essential and overlooked by too many physicians.

The 500 cutoff makes detection far less likely.

As a point of interest, are you in US or UK. Acamprosate (Campral) is or was more common in UK than US. Not important just wondering... its use approved in US as well.

[ken67]

In the US. Also failed to mention that when my Dr. put me on the vitamin regime, he recommend that I drink enough water until my urine was nearly clear. After starting the vitamins a few months ago, I noticed my urine was very yellow, but have adjusted my water intake to around 80-100 ounces per day depending on level of physical exertion. I have done this for months.

I read this morning that my jurisdiction considers a "dilute" (?) sample as a positive result and imposes sanctions as if positive... now I'm doubly worried. Any further advice? Test is in 3 hours.

[DrBill100]

Ken,

So as to comply with your doctor's orders and avoid sanctions would recommend buying some urine test strips such as MultiStix* that will provide a semi-quantitative read on creatinine. Ask any pharmacist and the key is creatinine. So long as that reading is above 20 mg that clears any lab test. That's not hard to do as the range for males is 80-350 but varies throughout the day.

Another approach is to abstain from liquid consumption for about 3 hours prior to test as creatinine is being continually produced.

*not a brand recommendation. Any test strip will do.

[ken67]

One more quick question... I calculated my bac at .19 when I stopped drinking at 12am sat night/sunday morning. That will be approx. 84 hours since my LAST DRINK.

Do you still feel I am in the danger zone?

[DrBill100]

One more quick question.....I calculated my bac at .19 when I stopped drinking at 12am sat night/sunday morning. That will be approx. 84 hours since my LAST DRINK.

Do you still feel I am in the danger zone?

Based on amount consumed I would question that your BAC was at that level but it isn't highly significant.

EtG is a very unpredictable test. I use the maximum times contained in the literature. At 500 cutoff the test is diminished by at least 20 and perhaps 40% as compared to 100 cutoff.

I don't mean to evade your question it's that the research information isn't clear and concise. The chance of EtG detection, regardless of quantity and duration of drinking, is very minimal after about 70 hours (based on 100). That's just the nature of the test.

[ken67]

What would you estimate my BAC at? And thank you for taking the time to reply.

[DrBill100]

You mentioned drinking a pint... little over 8 drinks. If you drank it all at once, bolus, that would result in about .16 BAC.

Tell me your age, height, weight and the time across which you consumed (first to last drink) and can provide you with a range.

[ken67]

Between 10pm sat until 12am sat/sun. 2 hours. 45, 5'-9" 205 lbs.

[DrBill100]

Maximum should have been about .14 could have been less because of your heavy drinking history which can greatly accelerate metabolism.

[ken67]

Thanks... I will know the outcome Friday and will post results.

[ken67]

I passed the test. Now... is there any cure for a guilty conscience?! Just kidding. I got the results yesterday afternoon and celebrated by attending two meetings last night.

Thanks again for your info and time.