PEth 21 Day Alcohol Testing

Bloodspot or PEth-Phosphatidylethanol is an abnormal phospholipid molecule that is created and captured in red blood cell membranes. The more often a person consumes alcohol, the more PEth is accumulated in the resevoir of the cell membrane. PEth testing is able to detect binge alcohol consumption in the 2-3 weeks prior to collection of the sample. Positive results indicate risky alcohol drinking.  Risky alcohol drinking is defined by the National Institute on alcohol abuse and alcoholism (NIAAA) as a pattern of drinking that bring’s a  concentration to 0.08 or above.  This typically happens when men consume 5 or more drinks, and when women consume 4 or more drinks, in about 2 hours.

PEth  is done with a simple finger stick. Dried blood spot collection is simple, quick, and is accomplished by the donor under observation by one of our collection professionals. The donor pricks their finger using a lancet (similar to those used in diabetic testing) and then deposits the blood drops on a filter paper card.

Results are available 3-4 days after the sample is received in the laboratory