What it measures
A check for alcohol, or a breakdown product of it, in a urine sample. Breakdown products stay detectable for longer than alcohol itself, so screens that look for them cover a longer window. The result shows whether alcohol was drunk recently, not how much.
Why people test it
- Checked to show a period without alcohol, for example during recovery.
- Asked for by some employers with alcohol policies, often for safety-critical jobs.
- Part of wider drug and alcohol screens that test for several substances from one sample.
Typical range
Reported as detected or not detected (positive or negative) against a cut-off level. Cut-offs vary by lab and the report shows the lab's own; a positive screen is often confirmed by a second, more specific lab method.
Finger-prick or vein?
A urine sample rather than blood, given at a clinic or with a home kit. How long alcohol stays detectable depends on how much was drunk and how recently.