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“I use AlphaBiolabs every time for my client’s legal alcohol testing. That way I know my results are correct”

David Brown, Family Law Solicitor

We understand alcohol testing

Our team of scientists have implemented a system that indicates or rules out chronic excessive alcohol consumption. Once a history of alcohol abuse is established then a treatment programme can be developed with periodic monitoring.

There is a range of information to assist solicitors and individuals in establishing whether their case is eligible for legal aid funding and this can be accessed at the following website (legal aid checker). We recommend you use this as a starting point before embarking on the complex process of applying for legal aid for your alcohol test application.

Head hair alcohol testing

Testing for alcohol in hair works by looking at two metabolites of alcohol: ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and the fatty acid ethyl ester (FAEE); ethyl palmitate (EtPa). These markers of alcohol intake are incorporated into the hair via different routes: EtG via sweat and EtPa via sebum (an oily substance secreted by glands in the skin). Unlike drug testing where the metabolites are absorbed through the root of the hair, when a client consumes alcohol the markers are found along the entire length of the hair. Therefore, it is not possible to segment the hair.

For example, if your client’s hair is tested for a 6-month period, and has not drunk alcohol for 5 months and then in 1 month drinks an excessive amount of alcohol, the alcohol markers will be found throughout the entire length of the hair.

The recommended minimum length of hair for EtG and EtPa tests is a 3 cm section taken from nearest the scalp. This is consistent with the consensus on hair alcohol testing for chronic excessive alcohol consumption published by the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) in June 2009. Biomarker testing in hair can establish a person’s history of alcohol consumption for 3 or 6 months.

Performing both EtG and EtPa analyses can assist in building evidence to support the diagnosis of chronic excessive alcohol consumption with a greater degree of certainty. We would also recommend a blood test to detect alcohol biomarkers, in conjunction with clinical assessment, to gain a greater insight into an individual’s alcohol use.

Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) test

Red blood cells are measured in the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) test. An MCV marker higher than normal would indicate an enlarged blood cell, which could indicate ingested alcohol. Elevated MCV is common in alcoholics. This change results directly from the effect of alcohol on red blood cell development and persists as long as drinking continues.

MCV is not a liver enzyme and is influenced by different factors to LFT and CDT. MCV will not always be raised by excessive alcohol use and some unrelated conditions can result in higher MCV levels. For example, the test is less specific for alcohol abuse in patients with conditions that can influence the size of red blood cells, such as vitamin deficiencies, liver disease, underactive thyroid disease and smoking.

As a stand-alone alcohol abuse indicator MCV has somewhat low sensitivity. However, when combined with the other blood markers it becomes a good indicator for excessive drinking.