Alcohol Screen Blood Test

The Blood Alcohol Test is used to determine the presence and amount of ethyl alcohol (drinking alcohol) in the donor’s blood. The detection window for this test is dependent upon the amount of alcohol ingested, as well as other factors including the sex and metabolism rate of the individual. This test should only be used if you are interested in assessing if the individual tested is under the influence of alcohol. Once a person is not under its influence, alcohol is generally not detected in the bloodstream and other tests would be more appropriate. A small sample of blood will be sent to the laboratory for analysis.

It is recommended that you should either wear a sleeveless or a short-sleeved shirt to make it easier for you and the technician who will be drawing the blood. Wearing a shirt with full- sleeves that can easily be rolled-up is also fine. No special preparation is needed before having a blood alcohol test. Many medicines may change the results of this test. Be sure to tell your doctor about all the nonprescription and prescription medicines you take.

Legal intoxication is defined as having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or greater. But the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for people under age 18 may be lower, such as 0.02. Having any amount of alcohol in the blood can cause poor judgment and slowed reflexes. BAC and the effects of drinking alcohol vary from person to person and depend upon body weight, the amount of food eaten while drinking, and each person's ability to tolerate alcohol.

A band is wrapped around the arm, 3-4 inches above the collection site (superficial vein that lies within the elbow pit) A 70% alcohol pad is used to clean the skin A needle is then kept in line with and injected into a vein that can be seen from the skin The blood is dragged out from the needle by a nozzle, saved in a vessel and sealed with your name The sample is then taken to a lab for examination