Pre-employment substance testing often includes evaluating an applicant’s recent alcohol consumption. This screening typically involves analyzing a urine, blood, or breath sample to detect alcohol metabolites or measure blood alcohol content (BAC). For example, a urine test may look for ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and ethyl sulfate (EtS), which indicate recent alcohol use.
Evaluating alcohol consumption alongside drug use helps organizations maintain a safe and productive workplace. It can reduce workplace accidents, absenteeism, and health-related costs. This practice also contributes to a more consistent and reliable workforce. The emergence of robust testing methodologies has enabled employers to implement these checks effectively and ethically, building on earlier, less reliable methods of alcohol detection.