Can You Pass an EtG Test in 48 Hours?

Get Answers on Drinking and EtG Test Detection Windows

An EtG alcohol test (EtG is short for ethyl glucuronide) provides a highly accurate reading of recent alcohol consumption. It can detect EtG, a metabolite of ethanol, in urine, saliva, hair, or blood. It’s often court-ordered in legal cases and is a favorite of most probation officers because of its excellent reliability in checking for alcohol abstinence.

If you are searching for information on how long consumed alcohol stays in the system, particularly if this is a problem you are facing on a regular basis, you may be struggling with binge drinking or an Alcohol Use Disorder.

Changes Healing Center is a JCAHO-accredited treatment center in Phoenix. If you are ready to receive help with alcohol abuse at any level, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We are here to help.

On the other hand, those who have found this post with a casual interest in learning how the body metabolizes alcohol should feel free to read on. You’ll learn about Ethyl Glucuronide (ETG) tests and the importance of these test results.

How Long is the EtG Alcohol Test Window for Positive Results?

The detection window of an EtG alcohol test has a fairly wide range of 24 to 80 hours but averages about 48 hours with the alcohol urine test. Several factors can come into play that dictate how long alcohol consumption remains detectable.

Amount of Alcohol Consumption

Drinking alcohol in greater quantities often leads to longer detection windows. That’s because the more alcohol metabolized into ethyl glucuronide, the longer EtG metabolites are processed and eliminated from the body.

In other words, your body processes only a certain amount in a short period. When alcohol enters all at once, metabolizing it sometimes just takes longer. Even a single drink could potentially be problematic for those with limited tolerance for alcohol.

Individual Metabolic Differences

Have you ever met a person who stays rail thin no matter what they eat? Various factors can cause that, but one is the person’s individual metabolism. These rates can vary based on age, weight, sex, and wellness.

A person with a fast metabolism eliminates EtG faster, testing positive for a shorter time than someone with a sluggish metabolism.

Hydration Levels Can Impact EtG Test Results

Drinking water may help flush out EtG a little faster and shorten the time consumed alcohol is detectable. Conversely, dehydration can slow down the process and is the main culprit causing hangovers.

In general, staying well hydrated supports metabolic and digestive health, including moving waste not excreted as urine through your stomach and small intestine effectively.

It’s worth noting that flushing alcohol entirely out of the body after a night of heavy drinking is not possible and can be dangerous to attempt.

Kidney Function and EtG Tests

The kidneys filter waste and excess fluids from the book, producing urine. This process is critical to maintaining good health. Impaired or diseased kidneys can lead to longer detection times, with the body struggling to eliminate the ethyl glucuronide efficiently.

Besides the things mentioned above, other factors that can influence test results include the frequency of alcohol use, drinking on an empty stomach, and taking certain medications. If you need to drive after drinking, we recommend you find a designated driver or call an Uber.

Types of EtG Tests to Detect Alcohol Consumed

Several testing mechanisms can measure EtG levels. The table below explains each:

Type of EtG Alcohol Test	Sample	Detection Window	Common Usage	Pros	Cons
Urine Test	Urine	24 to 80 hours	The urine test is the most common EtG test method, often utilized in alcohol rehab programs or legal settings.	Accurate, widely available, and cost-effective to administer.	Urine testing is susceptible for false positives due to incidental exposure.
Saliva EtG Test	Saliva	Up to 48 hours	The saliva test is the top choice when quick results are a must. It’s a favorite pick for employers doing pre-employment or random testing.	Non-invasive, easy-to-collect samples by swabbing inside the mouth, quick results.	Shorter detection windows; less sensitive than urine tests.
Hair Strand Test	Hair	Several months (depending on hair length)	Hair EtG tests are usually used for long-term monitoring, such as chronic alcohol consumption cases.	Longest detection window of all methods.	Invasive sample collection, high administration cost, and a potential for sample contamination.
Blood Alcohol Testing	Blood	Up to 24 hours	Blood tests are often used in medical emergencies or legal settings where precision, short-term alcohol use detection is a must.	Highly accurate testing method, short-term detection of alcohol	Having blood drawn is an invasive sample collection method, high cost of administration, and the shortest detection window.

FAQs About EtG Levels and Alcohol Use Testing

Now that we’ve covered the basics of how the time an EtG test can detect alcohol consumed, let’s answer some questions we have often heard from Changes Healing Center families and clients.

Is a breathalyzer test an EtG test?

No, a breathalyzer test is not an EtG test. A breathalyzer measures the concentration of alcohol in your breath and then estimates your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at that exact moment in time. On the other hand, an EtG test detects the presence of ethyl glucuronide, as discussed earlier.

Law enforcement officers carry a breathalyzer test tool for the convenience of the quick results that offer a quick, court admissible measurement of fitness to drive and whether alcohol is detectable on your breath. They can see whether you pass or fail the test within seconds.

What can affect BAC?

The same things that can influence metabolism and whether you pass an EtG test also affect blood alcohol concentration (BAC). To refresh your memory, the factors that play a significant role in EtG test results were whether someone drank one beverage or a few drinks, the person’s metabolism, body weight, age, sex, and whether or not food was consumed with alcohol.

Genetics and medications can also impact how quickly the body processes alcohol.

How long before alcohol is absorbed into the blood after one drink?

The bloodstream usually absorbs alcohol into the bloodstream within 30 minutes to 2 hours after the last drink. However, peak blood alcohol concentration (BAC) occurs approximately 45 to 90 minutes after drinking.

Do the types of alcoholic beverages matter when testing?

The type of alcoholic beverage might influence absorption rate and blood alcohol content. But that doesn’t really matter in the overall scheme of things. All types of alcoholic beverages will result in the body’s producing EtG as they are metabolized.

The main difference lies in the alcohol content. As you might assume, drinks with higher alcohol content lead to higher EtG levels and vice versa.

What’s considered impaired driving in Arizona?

A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher is considered legally impaired for drivers aged 21 and over in Arizona. For commercial drivers, the limit is 0.04%. For drivers under 21, any detectable BAC is considered impaired driving in the Grand Canyon State.

How long before driving should I stop drinking?

The standard recommendation is to stop drinking for at least 1 hour for each standard drink consumed before considering driving. In other words, wait 1 hour after 1 drink; 2 hours after 2 drinks, etc. That guidance helps ensure that your BAC has time to decrease to a safe level.

However, we’ve discussed at length how the amount of alcohol and individual metabolism make a difference in how quickly your sober up. Our professional recommendation is that the most responsible decision is total alcohol abstinence if you plan to drive.

What are the consequences of failed EtG test results on probation?

Probationers in Arizona may face severe consequences if they fail an EtG test on probation. Some probation terms include a warning that the person must pass a drug or alcohol test any time their P.O. requests it. If they detect alcohol or other substances in the EtG test, they could receive one of the following penalties:

• Probation revocation
• Mandatory substance abuse treatment
• Fines
• Jail time
• Community service

For many on probation, taking that last drink is just not worth the risk.

Do You Have an Alcohol Use Disorder?

Alcohol addiction is more common than you probably realize. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism’s 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that 28.9 Americans over the age of 12 reported having struggled with AUD at some point during that year. For context, that equals 10.2% of teens and adults.

If you have found this post trying to learn if you can beat an EtG test and you have engaged in frequent or heavy drinking, please consider whether it’s time to get professional treatment.

Here are some of the signs of AUD:

• I often drink more than I intended (frequent or heavy drinking).
• I’ve failed to cut back on my alcohol consumption.
• I spend lots of time drinking or recovering afterward.
• I’ll sometimes crave alcohol when I don’t expect it.
• I’ve stayed home from work, school, or socializing to drink.
• I ignore the problems that have arisen due to drinking.
• Alcohol has replaced my favorite hobbies or pastimes.
• I don’t mind that binge drinking makes me unsafe.
• I need to drink more alcohol than I used to if I want to feel good.
• I experience withdrawal symptoms if I go too long without drinking alcohol.
• I’ve drank alone or secretly.
• I sometimes lie or make excuses about my alcohol abuse.
• I’ve experienced blackouts or memory lapses.
• My finances are in shambles.
• I’ve given up on my appearance.

Feel free to print out our free PDF test that helps you assess these symptoms:

Are you ready to overcome your alcohol addiction and start treatment? Then please consider calling Changes after you take our quick self-assessment test. We will support you by providing a safe, supportive setting for alcohol detox.

You will enjoy individual, family, and group therapy in our rehab center. Our staff is compassionate and understanding while remaining firm in guiding your detox and recovery from heavy drinking.

Getting Lasting Help for an Alcohol Problem at Changes

You might be considering treatment if your interest in EtG test results was not out of mere curiosity about the factors that impact a pass or fail on the test, whether for yourself or a loved one struggling with alcohol.

We are here to help guide you through the recovery process, from admissions and detox all the way through to aftercare.

Don’t let the cost of treatment deter you. We work with most group or private health insurance, including AHCCCS partners and AIHP.

Getting clean and sober can be a relief. You’ll no longer need to be concerned about whether your EtG test will detect alcohol in your urine. Post-treatment sobriety will give you a sense of calm that you probably haven’t experienced in quite some time.

Start making Changes today by contacting or calling our admissions team now!