Last updated : December 16, 2024
Probationary drug testing is deemed necessary for various reasons. That being said, it’s a given that someone who has been convicted of drug possession can expect to be randomly tested for drugs when placed on probation.
Other scenarios that could involve probationary drug testing may include:
- Child custody cases
- Court mandated parenting programs
- Returning to the workplace after completing rehab
- Divorce cases
- Driving under the influence (DUI) convictions
- Driving while intoxicated (DWI) convictions
And, of course, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has probationary drug testing procedures written into its strict protocol overseeing the safety-sensitive workforce. Being approved to return to duty hinges on probationary drug testing even if the driver isn’t returning to their previous employer.
What is an EtG test?
An EtG test determines if there is alcohol in a person’s system.
It isn’t administered with a breathalyzer though. Those are reserved for determining if someone is under the influence of alcohol at the moment. They are often associated with law enforcement at the scene of an accident or during a traffic stop if the driver is suspected of driving drunk. You may have even conjured up an image of an officer requiring someone to “blow in the machine” upon seeing the word.
This type of drug test is usually administered as a urine test, but EtG levels can also be determined in blood or hair samples. Some companies or governmental jurisdictions may require using one of those methods instead.
After ethyl alcohol is consumed, the body breaks it down into several alcohol metabolites. EtG is one of them and remains present in the body for up to five days after drinking. The length of time it is detected depends on how much alcohol a person consumes before submitting their specimen.
No set standard
Whether or not the level reached is positive or negative depends on the EtG cutoff set for the test. Two commonly used EtG cutoff levels are 100 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) and 500 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) .
What’s the difference?
The 500ng/mL cutoff is so commonly used that it’s often called the “Goldilocks” or “just right” level within the industry. A positive result at this cutoff indicates that the person has consumed alcohol within about 48 hours before submitting their test sample.
The 100ng/mL cutoff opens a wider window for detection and accounts for incidental exposure levels, too. This minimizes the likelihood of false positive results occurring.
False positives
Due to its sensitivity, the EtG test sometimes projects a false positive result due to the test subject having come in contact with products containing alcohol.
Substances that can cause a false positive include:
- Breath spray
- Mouthwash
- Non-alcoholic beverages
- Cough syrups
- Cough drops
- Cleaning products
- Antiperspirant
- Hand sanitizer
- Makeup
- Aftershave
- Hair dye
- Foods prepared with alcohol
Due to the wide range of products that may interfere with the EtG test, a disputed positive result could result in a second test being administered. However, someone on probation through the court system may have a warrant issued for their arrest immediately upon the court’s receipt of acknowledgment of a positive test result. A positive DOT test result results in the driver being immediately pulled from service until the issue is resolved.
Staying “on the wagon”
Probationary drug testing has been put in place to ensure that court systems, employers, and even parents who are desperately trying to keep their children headed in the right direction have a monitoring system. Those who must report for testing—often randomly—may not think it’s a necessary tactic, but whoever is in charge of their “big picture” deems otherwise.
That’s more than likely always a good call because when someone is struggling with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, they aren’t always thinking clearly—especially, in the early stages of their recovery. Forcing them to stay on the straight and narrow gives sobriety a solid foothold.
In the long run that increases the chances of success.
