Description
The ethanol/alcohol test is used for both medical and legal purposes. Samples and results for each use are usually collected and tested separately.
A positive urine alcohol is only indicative of recent use and cannot be used to determine impairment. This test should be restricted to monitoring patients in drug treatment programs where any alcohol use is prohibited.
Synonyms:
Alcohol, Urine
Ethyl Alcohol, Urine
Medical: The goal of medical testing is to identify the presence of alcohol in order to effectively treat the intoxicated person's symptoms. For medical purposes, blood, and sometimes urine, alcohol tests are used to detect the presence of ethanol and to evaluate its concentration. One or more of these tests may be ordered when a patient presents to the Emergency Room with symptoms suggesting ethanol toxicity. Other tests, such as a Complete Blood Count (CBC), glucose, and electrolytes are often ordered at the same time as there are a variety of other conditions that can cause similar symptoms. Additional drug testing and testing for the presence of other more toxic alcohols (such as methanol and isopropyl alcohol) may also be performed if the use of other substances is suspected.