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Hair Alcohol Testing
- Hair alcohol testing for members of the public, the legal profession,
social workers and employers - Rapid results
- History of alcohol use can be established
- Accredited-laboratory processes
- In-house toxicology experts available for advice
- Nationwide network of sample collectors
- Free sample collection at our UK-wide Walk-in Centres
Alcohol hair testing explained
Hair alcohol testing – also known as hair strand testing for alcohol or hair follicle testing for alcohol – works by detecting two metabolites of alcohol: ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and the fatty acid ethyl ester (FAEE); ethyl palmitate (EtPa).
These alcohol biomarkers are absorbed into the hair via different routes and their levels can assist in assessing excessive alcohol consumption.
EtG is produced by the liver and is incorporated into the hair mainly through sweat. It is hydrophilic, meaning that it is water soluble. As such, some EtG may be lost through the use of hair dye and excessive hair washing.
EtPa (FAEE) is produced in the blood and incorporated into hair via sebum. EtPa (FAEEs) are lipophilic and therefore not water soluble, so although not affected by hair washing, the amount detected could be affected by use of hair products containing alcohol including hairsprays, gels and wax.
Ideally, because of their respective strengths and weaknesses, both EtG and EtPa tests should be performed in order to determine chronic excessive consumption of alcohol, and their findings should support each other.
Unlike hair drug testing where the metabolites are absorbed through the root of the hair, when an individual consumes alcohol, the alcohol markers are found along the entire length of the hair. Therefore, it is not possible to segment the hair for analysis.
Overview analysis
The minimum length of head hair required to test for both EtG and EtPa biomarkers is 3cm. The level of biomarkers found in the hair can help determine if a person has been drinking chronically and excessively, providing an overview of up to 6 months of alcohol consumption, depending on the length of hair sampled.
For head hair samples that are under 3cm in length, we can detect and measure the level of the EtG biomarker only.
If the head hair is less than 1cm in length, it cannot be tested at all. Instead, alternative sample types can be tested for EtG, including body hair (providing an overview of 12 months), fingernails (providing an overview of 6 months), or toenails (providing an overview of 12 months).
When collecting a sample of head hair for a hair alcohol test, the site of sample collection will depend on the length of hair required for analysis, according to the period for which we have been instructed to test. For example, a longer section of hair would be required for a six-month analysis than for a three-month analysis.
Around 200 individual strands of head hair need to be cut from the root, as close to the scalp as possible. This will leave a bald patch. The sample collector will always assess the most suitable sample site, based on the testing requirements. This is usually the rear of the head in line with the top of the ears. However, the sample collector will always discuss this with the sample donor and, if possible, change the sample site to accommodate the sample donor’s request, as long as the required sample length can still be obtained.
AlphaBiolabs follows Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) guidelines for hair follicle alcohol tests when testing for chronic and excessive alcohol consumption. The result will be considered either above or below the recommended SoHT cut-off levels.
Hair alcohol testing for members of the public, the legal profession, social workers and employers
Other types of alcohol tests
Although head hair is preferred for a hair strand alcohol test, some types of body hair can also be analysed for alcohol.
However, it is only possible to perform EtG analysis on body hair samples collected from the chest, arm, leg and face. The rate at which body hair grows (compared to head hair) also means that the timeframe for body hair alcohol testing is more approximate, and can only be determined when the hair length has been measured.
Alternatively, nail testing is ideal for those cases where hair testing is not possible (such as the donor has no or little hair, for religious reasons, and for those concerned with their appearance).
Although AlphaBiolabs’ hair follicle and nail alcohol testing methods are highly accurate and reliable, we would always recommend that a blood alcohol test be taken to complement the EtPa/EtG tests.
Testing for alcohol biomarkers in blood, in conjunction with clinical assessment, can support the hair alcohol test results and, especially in cases of inconclusive results, provides a greater insight into an individual’s level of alcohol consumption.
AlphaBiolabs’ blood alcohol tests include Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) testing, Carbohydrate Deficient Transferrin (CDT) analysis, a Liver Function Test (LFT), and Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) test.
UK-wide sample collection
We have a UK-wide network of sample collectors that are able to collect hair samples from an address of your choice. This could be your home, office, or anywhere else convenient.
We also offer free sample collection for legally instructed hair strand alcohol testing at our nationwide Walk-in Centres.
AlphaBiolabs provides breath, blood, hair and nail alcohol testing. We also offer round-the-clock testing via SCRAM Continuous Alcohol Monitoring®.
For expert advice or further information, please call 0333 600 1300 or email us at info@alphabiolabs.com
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is a hair alcohol test?
We are accredited by UKAS to the quality technical standard of ISO 17025 (No. 2773) and certified to ISO 9001.
We follow cut-off guidelines for hair alcohol testing as set by the Society of Hair Testing, and our toxicologists also work within the framework of Family Law, following Part 25 of the Family Procedure Rules (2010).
Why can alcohol testing only go back a maximum of six months, when drug testing can go back a maximum of 12 months?
One of the fundamental differences between a hair alcohol test and a hair drug test, is the detection window provided by each test i.e. the length of time substances remain detectable in an individual’s sample after consumption.
A drug test using head hair can be used to detect drug use for a period of up to 12 months prior to collection of the hair sample, with two types of analysis offered if the donor has sufficient head hair: segmented (month-by-month) or overview analysis.
However, a hair alcohol test can only be used to provide up to a 6-month overview of alcohol consumption.
This is because drugs and alcohol find their way into the hair in different ways.
When a person consumes drugs, they are broken down by the liver, and a proportion of the parent drug and its metabolites are released into the bloodstream.
These drugs then enter the hair follicle and become trapped in the medulla, the innermost layer of the hair shaft.
As the hair grows, the drugs remain in the hair, meaning segmentation analysis can be used on head hair to determine a pattern of drug use over a defined period, depending on the length of hair selected (1cm of hair = one month of growth).
Alternatively, overview analysis can be used to obtain a more general insight into a person’s drug use. This is because episodes of drug use are averaged out over the period being tested.
Head hair or body hair can be used to provide an overview of up to 12 months of drug use.
When a person consumes alcohol, it is absorbed into the bloodstream, and around 90% of it is broken down in the liver.
The remainder is then passed out of the body in a variety of ways including in sweat and exhaled breath.
Unlike drugs, which become trapped in the hair, alcohol biomarkers are deposited onto the hair via sweat and diffusion and are present along the entire length of the hair.
This means it is not possible to segment the hair for alcohol testing – it is only possible to perform up to a 6-month overview analysis.
The level of biomarkers on the hair can also be impacted by external factors such as hair treatments or the use of hair products containing alcohol.
Why isn’t it possible to segment hair on a month-by-month basis for the purpose of alcohol testing?
This is due to the way in which alcohol metabolites find their way into the hair.
Unlike drugs and drug metabolites, which when consumed enter the hair follicle and become trapped in the medulla, the innermost layer of the hair shaft, alcohol biomarkers are deposited onto the hair via sweat and diffusion and are present along the entire length of the hair.
This means it is not possible to segment the hair for alcohol testing – it is only possible to perform up to a 6-month overview analysis.
What can affect the results of a hair strand test for alcohol?
EtG is water soluble and is deposited onto the hair via sweat glands. This means that 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.
EtPa is a fatty acid ethyl ester (FAEE) and is lipophilic (fat soluble). Although styling methods such as bleaching, perming, dyeing etc. will not significantly affect EtPa levels (unless aggressively used), hair styling products that contain alcohol such as hairspray, gel and wax can increase the levels of EtPa found during laboratory analysis.
The sample collector will always ask the donor to disclose details of any recent hair treatments that have the potential to impact the results.
This information will be considered when preparing the results.
The donor is also advised not to use any alcohol-based styling products for at least one month prior to sample collection, to reduce the likelihood of an elevated EtPa result.
What is classed as a positive result in alcohol testing? What is considered chronic and excessive?
This is the equivalent of 7.5 units of alcohol; approximately three pints of beer, or 2-3 large glasses of wine per day, over a prolonged period.
- If both EtG and EtPa are above the cut-off levels, the results suggest that alcohol has been consumed chronically and excessively.
- If EtG is above the cut-off level, but EtPa is below the cut-off level, the results are suggestive of chronic and excessive alcohol consumption.
- If EtG is below the cut-off level, but EtPa is above the cut-off level, the results are not suggestive of chronic and excessive alcohol consumption. However, excessive alcohol consumption cannot be excluded, particularly if the donor has applied cosmetic treatments to their hair prior to sample collection.
- If both EtG and EtPa are below the cut-off levels, the results suggest that alcohol has not been chronically and excessively consumed.
How much does a hair alcohol test cost?
The cost of a hair alcohol test varies depending on the requirements of the instructing party.
If you have received a quote for hair alcohol testing from another testing laboratory, we will match their price and reduce it by a further 5%. This makes AlphaBiolabs the most cost-effective solution for your legal alcohol testing needs.
To request a quote for hair alcohol testing, simply complete our online form, and a member of our Legal New Enquiry team will be in touch to discuss your needs.
You can also call 0333 600 1300 or email testing@alphabiolabs.com for more information.
How can I get a quote for a hair alcohol test?
It’s easy to request a quote online now. Simply complete our online quote form and a member of our Legal New Enquiry team will be in touch to discuss your requirements.
Alternatively, call us on 0333 600 1300 or email testing@alphabiolabs.com and a member of the Legal New Enquiry team will be happy to discuss your case and provide a quote.
