
Blood Alcohol Tests
Alcohol, medically termed ethanol, is an ingredient in alcoholic beverages like whiskey, vodka, beer and wine. Alcohol is absorbed into the blood shortly after consumption; hence, a blood alcohol test is conducted to determine the alcohol levels in the body. Although alcohol can stay in your system for days, it majorly depends on the quantity and concentration of alcohol consumed.
Alcohol consumption in large amounts can cause several chemical changes in the brain, liver etc. Liver function test, gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) are some of the tests that are helpful in diagnosing the ill effects of overconsumption of alcohol.
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When Is an Alcohol Test Prescribed?
An alcohol test can be conducted on various occasions to identify the level of alcohol in a person's body. It is often prescribed for medical reasons to know the reason behind a person’s changed mood, aggressive or violent behavior, disturbed mind, dark thoughts or uncontrollable actions. Some other occasions when alcohol tests are performed are as follows:
Workplace decorum: Many companies and organisations get an alcohol test done on their new or existing employees to check if they consume alcohol regularly.?This is often done to ensure workplace decorum.
Medical reasons: It is performed on patients recovering from alcohol abuse to check if they are still under the influence of alcohol.?
Legal procedures: Alcohol test is prescribed during legal procedures such as court hearings to ensure that the people involved are completely sober and not under any intoxication.
Police suspicion: If the police suspect an individual is under the influence of alcohol while driving, an alcohol test can be conducted on them.
Accident: If a person is involved in a road accident, an alcohol test is performed to check if they were under the influence of alcohol during the accident.
Personal interview: Alcohol tests are a part of personal appearance interviews in several competitive exams, especially those requiring physical fitness as a criterion for selection.
In such situations and many more, passing an alcohol test is often made mandatory for all candidates.
Why Is Alcohol Testing Important??
Alcohol testing is becoming increasingly important in workplaces, colleges and roads. According to statistics, 15%-16% of workplace accidents and deaths have occurred because of alcohol abuse. As per medical experts, alcohol consumption can have a long-lasting impact on a person's health and lead to kidney and liver damage. Alcohol consumption is the cause of several health problems, especially in urban cities where it is common for people to consume liquor on weekends and even weekdays. Here are the common health hazards caused due to alcohol:
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Mental health disorders
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Cancer
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Cardiovascular?disease
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Severe addiction
Alcohol testing is essential not just to ensure proper workplace decorum but also as a form of self-assessment to keep your health in check. For people who consume alcohol daily, regular alcohol tests can help keep their addiction in control. Furthermore, mandatory alcohol testing through breathalysers can help to control the cases of drunk driving and significantly reduce road accidents in the long run.
How Is An Alcohol Test Performed?
To detect the presence and level of alcohol in the body, three main types of tests are performed:
Breathalyser test: The person is asked to breathe into a small hand-held device. The device detects the presence of an acidic medium in the breath sample, which is due to an increased level of alcohol in the body.
Alcohol urine test: The urine sample is collected and sent to the licensed laboratory for testing. The results determine the amount of alcohol present in the urine. The result may be negative if alcohol has been washed out of the system.?
Alcohol blood test: A blood sample is taken and sent to the laboratory for testing. The result depends on the amount of alcohol in the blood. Usually, the alcohol content is present in the blood for 2-3 days after consumption.?
Most places have protocols to carry out alcoholism tests. For example, in situations of road safety, only breathalyser tests are performed, whereas for interviews and job applications, often blood tests are carried out to ensure that the person of interest is not an alcoholic.
Time Required For An Alcohol Test Report And What To Do Next
The usual time required for an alcohol test report is 24-48 hours. It also depends on the type of alcohol test that one has taken. A breathalyser test, however, shows immediate results.?
If alcohol levels in the blood are too high, the person is suggested to undergo rehabilitation therapy or kept on prescriptions that help to get rid of the patient's alcohol addiction. This is often done through a series of counselling sessions as well as medical prescriptions that help to control cravings and curb the physical side effects of addiction.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can take an alcohol test on an empty stomach.
An alcohol test is important to determine if a person is suffering from alcohol abuse or is under the influence of alcohol while driving or at work.
The Alcohol Blood Test Price depends on the type of alcohol test you are taking. It can range from Rs 310 for the Gamma GGT Test to Rs 4000 for the Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin Test.
Yes, you can quickly test yourself for alcohol at home by using a breathalyser.
Don't take any medicines before taking an alcohol test as it can interfere with the results.