Hair Strand Alcohol Testing

Hair strand alcohol testing – also known as hair follicle alcohol testing – can be used for a variety of reasons, from helping authorities make crucial decisions about a child’s welfare, to family courts handling custody disputes.

Our hair strand alcohol testing is accurate and reliable based on the samples we receive at our laboratory.

Here are just a few more reasons you can trust the accuracy of our hair strand alcohol testing:

• Over 20 years’ experience providing court-approved alcohol testing services
• All testing performed in-house at our state-of-the-art UK laboratory – so test samples are never sent abroad
• ISO 17025 UKAS-accredited testing laboratory (No. 2773)
• Lab 51 extension for toxicology samples
• We employ highly-skilled toxicologists with decades of collective experience
• Member of the Society of Hair Testing with analysis carried out to internationally-agreed standards
• All sample collections for legally-instructed tests are carried out by our professional clinicians, under chain of custody conditions
• Toxicologists work within the framework of Family Law/following Part 25 of Family Procedure Rules (2010)

When a person consumes alcohol, it is absorbed into the bloodstream, and around 90% of it is broken down in the liver. The rest is passed out of the body in sweat, urine, and exhaled breath.

An AlphaBiolabs hair alcohol test works by analysing hair samples for the presence of two alcohol metabolites (biomarkers):

• Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) – water soluble and produced in the liver, EtG is deposited onto the hair via the sweat glands. Various hair treatments including excessive washing can impact levels of EtG in the hair.
• Ethyl palmitate (EtPa/FAEE) – lipophilic (fat soluble) and formed in the body from ethanol diffusing from the blood circulation and then being deposited into the hair primarily from sebum (oil glands on the scalp). Its presence can be affected by alcohol-containing hair products such as sprays, gels and wax.

A hair alcohol test can determine chronic & excessive alcohol consumption, or abstinence.

A hair alcohol test cannot tell us:

• The exact date, time, and method of ingestion

Laboratory testing can only tell us whether alcohol biomarkers are present in the sample during the period for which we are testing – not the exact date or time of day when alcohol was consumed.

• Quantities that were consumed

Because of the way alcohol is metabolised by the body – with 90% of it broken down by the liver – it is impossible to determine exactly how much alcohol a person has consumed during the period prior to sample collection.

• Whether hair treatments have impacted the results

Hair treatments including bleaching, perming, dyeing, straightening and excessive washing have the potential to affect the results of an EtG hair alcohol test.

EtPa hair alcohol tests can be affected by hair products containing alcohol, such as sprays, gels and wax.

For this reason, our sample collectors will ask for full disclosure of any recent hair treatments and products used, so that this can be taken into consideration when preparing the results.

However, it is not possible to specifically determine to what extent such treatments may have impacted the results.

Depending on the length of hair available for testing, and when alcohol was consumed, it is possible for alcohol biomarkers to remain detectable in a cut hair sample for up to approximately 12 months (head hair or body hair).

This depends on what type and period of analysis you/the court require, and also the sample type available.

For head hair, we can test for both chronic & excessive consumption, as well as abstinence, for a period of up to 12 months (segmented or overview analysis available).

For body hair, we can test for both chronic & excessive consumption, as well as abstinence, for a period of up to 12 months (overview analysis only).

For a head hair strand alcohol test, around 200 strands of head hair are cut from the root, as close to the scalp as possible.

The part of the head from which the sample is taken will depend on the length of hair required for analysis. For example, a longer section of hair will be required for a 6-month analysis compared to a 1-month or 3-month analysis.

The sample collector will assess the most suitable and discreet sample site, based on the testing requirements, and will always discuss this with the sample donor first.

If it is not possible to take a sample of head hair, body hair can be collected from the chest, leg, arm, or beard. However, unlike head hair, body hair can only be used to provide a 12-month overview of chronic & excessive use (EtG only).

Pubic hair can also be collected, if necessary, but can only be analysed for the presence of EtG. Pubic hair is also the only type of body hair that can be used to test for abstinence.

Yes. While head hair is the preferred sample for alcohol testing, the length available does affect how far back the test can look.

Head hair typically grows around 1cm per month, so a minimum length is needed to cover a specific period. For example, 3cm of hair to cover approximately three months.

If head hair is too short, or unavailable, body hair can be used as an alternative. Samples can be collected from the underarm, leg, chest or face, and can provide an overview of up to approximately 12 months of chronic and excessive alcohol consumption or abstinence.

Nail alcohol testing also offers an ideal alternative where hair alcohol testing is not possible (e.g. due to shaving, alopecia, or cultural/religious reasons) or where adulteration of hair samples is suspected (e.g. bleaching, perming, dyeing, straightening or excessive washing.

This type of testing can be used to test for historic chronic and excessive alcohol consumption – or to monitor abstinence – offering a detection window of up to approximately 6 months for fingernail clippings, and up to approximately 12 months for toenail clippings.

It’s worth noting that body hair and nail clippings can only be tested for ethyl glucuronide (EtG), not ethyl palmitate (EtPa). Therefore, combining these tests with other alcohol testing methods is recommended (e.g. blood alcohol testing), and can help build a multi-source profile of alcohol use.

This is particularly valuable in care proceedings where establishing long-term behaviour is critical.

If a client’s head hair is less than 1cm in length, body hair can be collected as an alternative sample.

Depending on which area of the body the sample is taken from, such as the underarm, leg, chest or face, body hair can provide an overview of up to approximately 12 months of chronic and excessive alcohol consumption or abstinence.

Nail alcohol testing also offers an ideal alternative where hair alcohol testing is not possible (e.g. due to shaving, alopecia, or cultural/religious reasons) or where adulteration of hair samples is suspected (e.g. bleaching, perming, dyeing, straightening or excessive washing.

This type of testing can be used to test for historic chronic and excessive alcohol consumption – or to monitor abstinence – offering a detection window of up to approximately 6 months for fingernail clippings, and up to approximately 12 months for toenail clippings.

It’s worth noting that body hair and nail clippings can only be tested for ethyl glucuronide (EtG), not ethyl palmitate (EtPa). Therefore, combining these tests with other alcohol testing methods is recommended (e.g. blood alcohol testing), and can help build a multi-source profile of alcohol use.

This is particularly valuable in care proceedings where establishing long-term behaviour is critical.

If you have concerns about sample suitability for your client, call our expert team on 0333 600 1300 or email testing@alphabiolabs.com.

A hair strand alcohol test can detect two alcohol biomarkers in head hair: Ethyl Glucuronide (EtG) and Ethyl Palmitate (EtPa/FAEE).

Levels of EtG and EtPa in the hair can be affected by different external factors.

EtG is water soluble, produced in the liver, and deposited onto the hair via sweat glands. Hair treatments such as bleaching, dyeing, perming, straightening, and excessive washing all have the potential to reduce the levels of EtG found on the hair.

Fatty Acid Ethyl Esters (FAEEs) – like EtPa – are lipophilic (fat soluble) and deposited onto the hair primarily from sebum (oil glands on the scalp). This means that styling methods such as bleaching, perming, dyeing etc. will not significantly affect EtPa levels unless there has been aggressive use of these products.

However, styling products that contain alcohol (e.g. hairspray, gel, wax) can increase the levels of EtPa found during laboratory analysis.

Because of their respective strengths and weaknesses, it is recommended that EtG and EtPa tests be performed together, and their findings used to support each other.

Sample donors are advised not to use any alcohol-based styling products for at least one month prior to testing, to reduce the likelihood of an elevated EtPa result.

Furthermore, our sample collectors will always ask for full disclosure of any recent hair treatments and hair products used, so that this can be taken into consideration when preparing the test results.

Some individuals do attempt to manipulate the outcome of a hair alcohol test. Common methods include wearing a wig, submitting a pre-cut sample that is not their own, sending someone else to the appointment in their place, or shaving all head and body hair.

These attempts are ultimately ineffective when samples are collected under chain of custody conditions by a trained sample collector, as is required for court-admissible results.

Chain of custody procedures verify the identity of the sample donor and ensure the integrity of the sample from collection through to analysis.

It is worth noting that excessive use of certain hair treatments, including bleaching, dyeing, perming and straightening, can affect levels of EtG in the hair, while alcohol-based styling products such as hairsprays, gels and wax can impact EtPa levels.

AlphaBiolabs always requests full disclosure of recent hair treatments at the point of sample collection, so any potential impact on results can be accounted for in the final test report.

Yes. The use of hair strand testing in family court proceedings is well established, and there is clear judicial guidance on how such evidence should be interpreted.

In LB Richmond v B & W & B & CB [2010] EWHC (2903) Fam, Mr Justice Moylan set out guidance on the evidential value of hair strand testing. He confirmed that both EtG and EtPa should be tested and that their findings should be used to support each other. He also stressed that hair strand results should not be used in isolation when reaching evidential conclusions.

AlphaBiolabs’ hair alcohol testing follows this guidance. Our toxicologists work within the framework of family law and in accordance with Part 25 of the Family Procedure Rules (2010), ensuring all findings are legally defensible and suitable for use in court proceedings.

Performing hair alcohol testing in conjunction with Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) blood alcohol testing and other blood tests, can allow an even more holistic conclusion to be drawn about a person’s alcohol use.

Hair strand/hair follicle alcohol tests are especially effective when performed in conjunction with blood alcohol tests.

There are four main types of blood alcohol test that can be used for legal purposes, providing a four-week overview of alcohol use:

• Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) – the gold standard of blood alcohol tests. We also offer repeat PEth testing up to 12 months, for ongoing monitoring
• Carbohydrate Deficient Transferrin (CDT)
• Liver Function Test (LFT)
• Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)

Our Comprehensive Alcohol Analysis package combines head hair testing with blood tests, for the best insight into an individual’s historic alcohol consumption.

Get a Quote

The cost of a hair strand/hair follicle alcohol test varies depending on the requirements of the instructing party.

If you have received a quote for hair strand alcohol testing from another testing laboratory, we will match their price and reduce it by a further 10%. This makes AlphaBiolabs the most cost-effective solution for your legal alcohol testing needs.

To request a quote for hair strand alcohol testing, simply complete our online form, and a member of our Legal team will be in touch to discuss your needs.

You can also call 0333 600 1300 or email testing@alphabiolabs.com for more information.

If head hair is unavailable, body hair can be used to test for the presence of Ethyl Glucuronide (EtG).

However, due to the way in which Ethyl Palmitate (EtPa) is incorporated into hair, body hair can only be used to test for EtG, not EtPa.

Due to the rate at which body hair grows, the time period is also more approximate, with body hair providing us with up to a 12-month overview of alcohol use.

When testing body hair for the presence of EtG, we also recommend blood alcohol testing (e.g. PEth testing) to gain a greater insight into an individual’s alcohol consumption.

No, a hair strand alcohol test cannot be used to detect a single-drinking episode. This is because hair alcohol tests are used to measure long-term alcohol consumption rather than single drinking events.

A minimum of 1cm of hair is required to perform an EtG hair or an EtPa/FAEE hair alcohol test. This is due to the rate at which head hair grows (approx. 1cm a month), and the way in which EtG and EtPa/FAEE biomarkers are deposited onto the hair.  

Both biomarkers accumulate in the hair over time, typically over a period of several months. This means that an isolated incident of drinking, especially if it only involves a moderate amount of alcohol, is unlikely to produce enough of these biomarkers to be detectable in a cut hair sample.

Combining hair strand/hair follicle alcohol tests with blood alcohol tests can provide the fullest picture from which to draw conclusions about a person’s alcohol consumption.

Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) testing is considered the gold standard of blood alcohol tests. A direct biomarker of alcohol, it requires ethanol for its production, and is only present in the body when alcohol has been consumed.

Drinking experiments show that PEth can be detected in blood after one to two hours, and for up to 12 days after a single drinking episode. In addition, daily alcohol consumption of more than 60g of ethanol (7.5 units) can clearly be distinguished from lower alcohol consumption. As such, PEth testing can detect chronic and single-drinking episodes. 

Our Comprehensive Alcohol Analysis package combines head hair testing with blood tests, for the best insight into an individual’s historic alcohol consumption.

Get a Quote

For legally-instructed hair alcohol tests, AlphaBiolabs provides an Expert Report as standard; the most comprehensive report available and the one most relied upon in family court proceedings.

An Expert Report includes:

• Full analytical results, including levels of EtG and EtPa detected in the sample
• The time period covered by the test
• Sample donor information, including disclosures made at the point of collection (such as recent hair treatments or products used)
• Interpretation of the findings by a qualified Reporting Scientist, including any relevant scientific caveats
• The professional conclusions of the Reporting Scientist, stated as their independent expert opinion
• Confirmation that the report has been peer-reviewed by a senior Reporting Scientist before issue

A Certificate of Analysis is also available. This is a factual document confirming which biomarkers were detected and at what levels, across the period covered by the sample – useful where a summary of findings is required rather than full expert interpretation.

All AlphaBiolabs reports are legally defensible and accepted in every UK family court.

We offer rapid results for hair strand/hair follicle alcohol testing, direct from our UKAS-accredited laboratory.

For more information, complete our online quote form, and a member of our New Enquiry team will be in touch to discuss your requirements.

Alternatively, call us on 0333 600 1300 or email testing@alphabiolabs.com.