Alcohol Detection Tests: The Role Of Nails And Hairs

Across many societies, alcohol abuse is a major problem. As a result, people struggle to maintain a balance between responsible behavior and alcohol consumption. To combat this, various alcohol detection tests have been developed to help identify and prevent alcohol abuse. Two types of alcohol detection tests that are increasingly gaining popularity are hair and nail testing. This article will discuss the role of nails and hair in alcohol detection tests.

Nail Alcohol Detection Test

The Window of Detection:12 months overview

Sample Collection: If the nail length is 5 mm, a single nail clipping can suffice for the test. For shorter nails, it's better to take nail clippings of 10 mg (approx.) for a conclusive result. You can either use fingernails or toenails, but never a mixture of both.

A nail alcoholism test is a non-invasive test that can be performed in a laboratory. The test involves taking a nail sample and analyzing it for alcohol. As nails grow, they trap and preserve a record of drug and alcohol use, making it possible to determine whether an individual has consumed alcohol or not. In addition, nail alcohol detection tests can detect alcohol use over a longer period of time than other forms of testing, making them useful for determining long-term alcohol use.

Hair Alcohol Detection Test

The Window of Detection: 3 - 6 months overview

Sample Collection: Even though head hairs are the most feasible and accessible samples for this test, other body hairs can also be used as samples for hair alcoholism tests, such as the chest, leg, arm, and beard hair(s).

A hair alcoholism test is similar to a nail alcohol detection test in that it analyzes a sample to determine the presence of alcohol. It measures the presence of ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) in hair samples. These biomarkers are produced in the body when alcohol is consumed. Analyzing these two biomarkers can help increase certainty in diagnosing chronic excessive alcohol consumption.

What Influences Alcohol Detection Time?

The detection time for alcohol varies depending on several factors, including:

• Amount of alcohol consumed - The more alcohol a person consumes, the longer it takes the body to eliminate it.

• Frequency of alcohol consumption - Regular drinkers may have a higher tolerance to alcohol, which can affect the detection time.

• Body weight & metabolism - People with higher body weight and faster metabolism may eliminate alcohol faster than those with lower body weight and slower metabolism.

• Age & gender - Older people and women may have a slower metabolism, which can result in a longer detection time.

• Food intake - Drinking on an empty stomach can result in a faster absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream and a shorter detection time, while drinking with food can result in slower absorption and a longer detection time.

• Genetics - Certain genetic factors can affect a person's ability to metabolize alcohol, influencing the detection time.

Why Choose DNA Forensics for Alcoholism Test?

Today, the world is highly uncertain, and children or loved ones may be exposed to many compelling triggers, leading to alcohol abuse. Therein, alcohol detection tests at DNA forensics can effectively determine if a family member is involved in alcohol consumption or drug abuse.
DNA Forensics Laboratory Pvt. Ltd. (DFL) is among the top companies to provide accurate, reliable, and accredited DNA test results for various purposes in India. Furthermore, they are the only company providing Legal DNA Testing Services for the courts. They are now offering drug & alcohol detection tests for Indian citizens at a competitive alcohol test price. With 400+ collection centers across India & abroad, one can visit their nearest center to give the samples or call collection agents at the respective address.