Alcohol Detection in Hair
Alcohol is the most commonly abused drug in the UK but is legally available in any high street store.
Alcohol detection in hair is a relatively new method of detection that our hair analysis laboratory actually pioneered almost 5 years ago. Being the leading European laboratory the technology was available to research into the detection of alcohol in hair as an added analysis to alcohol detection in blood.
When looking for alcohol in hair, we measure the markers Ethylglucuronide and Phosphatidylethanol or Fatty Acid Ethyl Esters (FAEE). Detection of these markers are evidence of alcohol consumption.
As with drug detection, a sample of head hair is taken close to the head and sent to the laboratory for analysis. Body hair can also be used for analysis.
Atkinson Lewis suggest that you carry out a Blood Test for Alcohol alongside that of the hair test for Alcohol to gain a full picture of alcohol use.
