[Alecks]

I am female, weigh 140 pounds, and I had a little over two beers a day and a half before I had a urine test. I don't know for certain if they were including the test of alcohol in my drug test, but just to be certain I want to know if I should be fine. It didn't even occur to me that alcohol could be detected in urine until after the test so I feel stupid and want help knowing if I'll be clean or not. It also is worth noting that I live in Utah so the percent of alcohol in drinks is slightly lower than in other places.
I'd like an answer soon. Please and thanks!

[KD3]

It depends.

Yes, alcohol consumption can be detected in urine. There is more than one type of test and there are individual differences in how people metabolize alcohol. A simple test for alcohol in urine looks for just traces of the alcohol itself. Depending on what you drank, how much you drank, and your metabolism, that type of test can detect consumption within about 24 hours prior to the test, perhaps 36-48 if you were a heavy daily drinker over a period and then suddenly stopped.

There is another type of urine screening test, however, called a urine EtG (Ethyl Glucuronide) test. This type of test does not look for alcohol; it looks for the presence of EtG which is a substance left in your body after it has metabolized alcohol. It stays in the body LONGER -- so it can be detected 4 to 6 days later. In my opinion based on the scenario you described: If you were given the "simple" urine test, you would probably pass the alcohol screening portion. If you were given the EtG test, you have a strong chance of failing it.

By the way, if you are subject to EtG-type testing, you should be aware that it can trigger a positive test result if you have incidental exposure to alcohol through mouthwash, hand sanitizer, foods prepared in alcohol, medications like Nyquil that contain alcohol, cosmetics, and other such sources. Most testing authorities, though, will tell you to avoid this exposure and will *NOT* allow you to use it as an "excuse" for a positive test.

If you are like I did and continued to drink despite facing consequences for doing so from a monitoring authority that prohibited you from consuming alcohol, that is definitely a RED FLAG that you have a problem with alcohol. After failing such a test myself, I sought additional treatment and counseling to get back on track with my sobriety. I urge you to take an honest look at yourself and do the same.

Best wishes.