Subtitle Forum: Can a Doctor Detect if You Have Consumed Alcohol?
Yes, in most cases doctors can detect if a person has consumed alcohol. This is done through a variety of tests, including blood, urine, and breath tests. Blood tests, for example, measure the amount of alcohol in the blood and can detect alcohol consumption up to 24 hours after the last drink. Urine tests measure the amount of a byproduct of alcohol called ethyl glucuronide, which can detect alcohol up to two to three days after the last drink. Breath tests measure the amount of alcohol in a person’s breath and can detect it up to 24 hours after the last drink.
The accuracy of these tests can vary depending on the type of test used, the person’s medical history, and other factors. For example, a breath test may not be as accurate as a blood test in detecting alcohol consumption. Additionally, certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, can affect the accuracy of these tests. It is also important to note that these tests cannot tell a doctor how much alcohol a person has consumed, only that they have consumed some amount of alcohol.
Ethyl Glucuronide (EtG) is a byproduct of alcohol metabolism that can be detected in urine for up to 80 hours after the last drink. It is often used to detect recent alcohol consumption in people who are subject to drug or alcohol testing, such as those in the criminal justice system or in treatment programs.