
Hair Alcohol Test
Our Hair Follicle Test for Alcohol determines if a person has been drinking regularly in the past 90 days. This test is typically ordered by courts following DUI infractions, ex-spouses in custody disputes, clinicians treating alcoholism, and families concerned about underage drinking. This alcohol hair test can be combined with a hair follicle drug test in order to test for drugs and alcohol at the same time.
Unlike urine or breath tests, the alcohol hair test detects alcohol long term alcohol use, making it ideal for situations where a short-term snapshot is not enough. For court cases and in medical treatment settings, a hair follicle test for alcohol is often the preferred method of testing. Individuals and employers can register online or call (888) 378-2499.
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Hair Alcohol Test Options
Hair Alcohol Test
$600Frequently Asked Questions
Below are the most commonly asked questions about this product in our call center.
How far back does a hair alcohol test look?
Hair alcohol tests typically detect alcohol use from the past 90 days (approximately 3 months).
When is it better to test alcohol by a hair test?
This test is best used when a longer window of detection is required for alcohol use. It is commonly ordered by courts in cases related to driving under the influence (DUI) offenses and by individuals involved in custody disputes. Clinicians treating alcoholism also find this test valuable in their medical practices. Additionally, families concerned about potential underage drinking often opt for a hair follicle test for alcohol.
Will drinking kombucha affect my results for an alcohol test?
It depends on many factors whether or not kombucha affects your alcohol test results. The safest option is to avoid kombucha. However, our hair alcohol test is the least likely alcohol test to detect if someone occasionally drinks kombucha.
This is because the hair test is designed to detect long-term markers that indicate chronic use or excessive consumption, not just trace amounts. So, while it's unlikely that light kombucha drinking would affect your results, it's best to avoid it.
Can a hair alcohol test show the exact date or time of alcohol use?
No. Hair alcohol tests cannot pinpoint the specific date or time alcohol was consumed. They only show whether alcohol has been used within the detection window.
How much hair is needed for the test?
Approximately 60–100 strands of hair are needed, at 1 to 1.5 inches long.
How long does it take to get results?
Test results are usually ready in 5–7 business days. Non-negative results may require more time for confirmation.
How long does alcohol stay in hair?
Alcohol's metabolite, EtG, stays in your head hair for up to 90 days. While a hair follicle alcohol test can't tell you when the person had a drink, it does indicate an average EtG level. The test cannot pinpoint the exact date of drinking, but does show a pattern of long term alcohol use.
How accurate are hair tests for alcohol?
Hair follicle alcohol testing is highly accurate for detecting frequent or heavy drinking in the past three months. It is not intended to detect casual or one-time drinking, nor can it measure current blood alcohol levels. It takes approximately five days for alcohol to be detectable in a person's hair.
What are the benefits of testing hair for alcohol?
The main benefit is the long detection window of up to 90 days. This is much longer than urine or blood tests, making it ideal for legal, medical, or personal monitoring of alcohol use.
What if I don’t have enough head hair?
Health Street can perform hair alcohol testing using body hair. Only select clinics provide this service, so please be sure to choose the body hair option when you register.
Is the hair alcohol test court-admissible?
Yes. Hair alcohol tests that are performed by one of our certified clinics are court-admissible.
About Our Hair Alcohol Test
Who Should Register for Our Hair Follicle Alcohol Test and Why
Hair follicle tests are used by those who need an alcohol test that provides the longest possible detection window for alcohol use.
You should consider hair follicle alcohol testing (EtG) if you are:
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Involved in a DUI court case as an attorney, judge, or probation officer
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A clinician treating alcoholism and needing to monitor long term alcohol use
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Involved in a custody dispute where alcohol use is a concern
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A parent or family member worried about underage or hidden drinking
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An employer or individual seeking a reliable record of alcohol use over time
Combined with a hair follicle drug test, this professional lab test can be used to detect both drugs and alcohol simultaneously.
How a Hair Follicle EtG Alcohol Test Works
Our hair testing looks for ethyl glucuronide (EtG), which is one of the two metabolites that occur naturally in the body from the breakdown of ethanol. EtG is present in the hair long after ethanol can be measured. Ethanol is the substance in alcoholic drinks which causes intoxication.
How to Schedule a Test
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Register online or call to schedule your test. We'll send you a registration code.
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At the lab, a trained technician collects about 60 to 100 hair strands (each at least 1.5 inches long) from the head.
Note: If the person's head hair isn't long enough, please choose the body hair option when you register. Body hair from the leg, armpit, or chest can be used. Many (though not all) of our clinics perform hair follicle tests. For those that do, only certain labs will perform the test on body hair. We will register you with the right clinic based on your location and your specific needs. -
The lab tests the hair samples for ethyl glucuronide (EtG), a marker that shows a person has consumed alcohol.
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Results are typically available in five to seven business days. If the test is non-negative, confirmation may take a bit longer.
Hair Follicle Alcohol Testing vs Other Types of Alcohol Tests
The main difference between hair follicle testing, EtG urine alcohol tests, and PEth alcohol tests, aside from the method of sample collection, is the length of time that prior alcohol use can be detected.
Test Type | Detection Window | Sample Type | Best For |
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Breath Alcohol | Current intoxication | Breath | Current intoxication |
Urine Alcohol | Up to 12 hours | Urine | Recent use, current intoxication |
EtG Urine | Up to 3 days | Urine | Short-term monitoring |
PEth Blood | Up to 3 weeks | Blood | Moderate-term monitoring |
Alcohol Hair Test | Up to 90 days | Hair strand | Long term alcohol use, legal/medical use |
Why Choose Health Street
Health Street's drug testing services offer individuals and employers many advantages and benefits.
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Safe, secure, and fast drug testing with accurate results
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Choose from our nationwide network of more than 10,000 licensed labs
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Mobile drug testing available for companies and individuals
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Secure portal for easy test management and viewing of results
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Trusted provider in the drug testing industry
Related Tests
Health Street offers many other options for alcohol testing. If you'd like to see a comprehensive list of all alcohol tests that we offer, you can view all alcohol tests here.
If the Hair Alcohol Test isn't what you need, consider trying our Peth Alcohol Testing.