Does Alcohol Show Up On a Drug Test for Work?

What You Need To Know About Drinking Before a Drug Test

Many companies test for a variety of substances as a condition of employment. But, does alcohol show up on a drug test for work? We’ll explore that question and related points on the page below.

Individuals who are concerned about their drinking habits should consider reaching out for professional help right away to address the matter. Icarus Behavioral Health in Nevada is an ideal place to address alcohol consumption in a supportive, secure facility.

Take a moment now to give us a call and discuss your alcohol use. We are experienced in this space and will create a custom treatment plan to suit your needs.

How Alcohol is Processed in the Body

Let’s start by talking about how the body responds when it is provided with alcohol. Any alcohol that enters the body will quickly be absorbed by the bloodstream and metabolized by the liver.

As this processing takes place, the individual’s blood alcohol concentration is gradually going to be reduced. The average rate of alcohol elimination in the body is approximately 0.015% blood alcohol concentration per hour. This would mean that an individual with a BAC of 0.03% would need about two hours to clear that alcohol out of their system.

This is not an exact science. There are many factors that influence how long alcohol stays in the body, including weight, age, metabolism, and overall health. So, you can’t just assume that the alcohol you consume will be gone by a certain time just based on these estimations.

It can be important to know how long alcohol remains in your system if you have an upcoming drug and alcohol test for work. Alcohol consumption before any test that is going to look for signs of alcohol use is risky and you can’t be sure exactly when you’ll reach a point of being able to pass that test.

Types of Workplace Drug Tests

There are many different types of tests that can be used to screen for drugs and alcohol. You should be able to ask your employer exactly what type of test will be used.

It’s important to note that not all work drug tests are looking for signs of alcohol consumption. Many are only looking for illegal drugs and will not be trying to monitor alcohol consumption. This is another question to ask your employer directly before any testing occurs. You have a right to know what is being tested so you can make decisions accordingly.

Urine Tests

Alcohol can show up on urine drug testing for anywhere between 12 – 24 hours after consumption. This is not an exact timeframe but rather a general estimate of how long the alcohol will still be able to impact the results of a urine test that is looking for its presence.

Blood Tests

This is the most accurate way of looking for alcohol. A blood test is excellent when used to detect alcohol and is often used in law enforcement. However, this type of test is rarely used in employment screening. It is unlikely that you will be asked to take a blood test for your workplace drug testing program.

Saliva Tests

Saliva tests are another way to detect alcohol in the body. As a general rule of thumb, a saliva test can spot alcohol for up to 24 hours after the last drink was consumed.

Breathalyzer Tests

This is the standard breath testing process to check for alcohol. It is not commonly used in most employment settings. The exception to that would be in industries that are particularly sensitive to safety. In that case, you may be asked to regularly take a breathalyzer test to confirm that you are sober and fit to do the job.

Hair Follicle Tests

Hair drug tests can actually spot signs of alcohol use for as long as 90 days after use. That’s an incredibly long time but this is another type of test that isn’t regularly used in a workplace setting.

Employer Policies on Alcohol Use

One of the keys to this process is understanding your employer’s position on alcohol use. Some will have rules in place regarding if alcohol can be consumed during or after work hours. Knowing these rules and how they apply to your position is critical to avoid trouble on the job.

Some employers will have a zero-tolerance policy around alcohol before or during work. Jobs in transportation or healthcare, for example, will likely fall into this category. Alcohol use before or during shifts will be completely prohibited and even a single violation of this rule can lead to termination.

There may be random testing procedures in place. This is done to ensure workers are respecting the rules around alcohol use. While the timing of the tests can be random, you will be aware that testing is a part of your employment. You are free to ask questions about urine alcohol tests, drug screening, and anything else that impacts your experience as an employee.

Can Drinking the Night Before Affect Your Test?

The simple answer here is yes. If you look at some of the times listed in the section above regarding types of drug tests, you will see that the timeframes often extend far enough to last until the next day.

You may test positive for alcohol if you have drinks at night and are then tested the next morning. Refraining from alcohol the night before a test is the best way to avoid any problems. You might even want to abstain from drinking for a couple of days before giving a urine sample. This would be playing it safe just to make sure your urine alcohol tests come back clean.

Be sure to confirm that the test you are taking is going to be trying to detect alcohol. Many employers just give drug tests that aren’t concerned with trying to detect alcohol in the body.

This is also a good time to talk about the dangers of substance abuse as a whole. Even if you are able to pass your urine tests for work you may still have a problem that needs to be addressed. How much alcohol are you consuming regularly and is it having a harmful impact on your daily life and those around you? These are important questions that need to be answered.

Just because your work drug tests don’t detect alcohol consumption doesn’t mean your drinking habits are healthy. Consider getting help if you are concerned with the growing role alcohol is playing in your life.

What to Do If You Test Positive for Alcohol

Failing alcohol tests at work can have major consequences. Even a single failed test could result in losing your job. The way test results are handled will vary widely from place to place.

You may have the right to request a retest if you believe the results are inaccurate. Your employer may have some processes or procedures in place for this type of situation.

You could also ask for clarification if you are confused about anything to do with the workplace drug testing policy. Open communication with your employer is the best course of action if you hope to maintain a lasting relationship and keep the job.

It’s possible that you will face disciplinary action for testing positive for alcohol. Such action could include increased monitoring on the job. Or you might have to submit to follow-up testing. Some employers will require counseling or enrolling in an employee assistance program.

A failed test may also serve as a wake-up call. Perhaps you have been treating alcohol too casually and this is a sign that you need to change your habits. Employer alcohol tests might prove to have a positive impact on your life if used in this way.

Explore Treatment for Alcohol Addiction

Has your habit of drinking alcohol gotten to the point where it feels out of your control? If you are no longer comfortable with your relationship with drinking, reach out to Icarus Behavioral Health in Nevada to discuss our treatment options.

You don’t need to wait to fail a work drug or alcohol test to seek help for a substance abuse issue. Alcohol addiction typically starts quietly before building into a problem that can no longer be ignored. Abusing alcohol is an issue that will negatively impact your life as well as the lives of everyone around you.

Our professional team would be happy to provide you with the customized treatment needed to successfully turn the tides on alcohol abuse. Recovery can be close at hand when you partner with our experts. No two situations are exactly the same so we take pride in providing treatment that is designed specifically with the needs of the individual in mind.

Move beyond just trying to pass alcohol tests at work and instead put your life on a whole new path. Give us a call at any time of day or night to confront this issue right away. We would love to serve you.