: The 2026 Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) Consensus recommends ethyl glucuronide (EtG) as the primary hair marker for supporting the assessment of alcohol abstinence and chronic excessive alcohol consumption. In proximal scalp hair, EtG ≤ 5 pg/mg does not contradict self-reported abstinence, whereas EtG ≥ 30 pg/mg strongly suggests chronic excessive consumption. Ethyl palmitate (EtPa) may complement EtG, using segment-specific cut-offs of ≥ 350 pg/mg for 0-3 cm and ≥ 450 pg/mg for 0-6 cm. Results must always be interpreted considering the hair segment and sampling site, hair growth, cosmetic or thermal treatments, analytical methodology, and the overall case context.
2026 Consensus for the Use of Alcohol Markers in Hair for Supporting the Assessment of Abstinence and Chronic Alcohol Consumption
Gottardo, Rossella;
2026-01-01
Abstract
: The 2026 Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) Consensus recommends ethyl glucuronide (EtG) as the primary hair marker for supporting the assessment of alcohol abstinence and chronic excessive alcohol consumption. In proximal scalp hair, EtG ≤ 5 pg/mg does not contradict self-reported abstinence, whereas EtG ≥ 30 pg/mg strongly suggests chronic excessive consumption. Ethyl palmitate (EtPa) may complement EtG, using segment-specific cut-offs of ≥ 350 pg/mg for 0-3 cm and ≥ 450 pg/mg for 0-6 cm. Results must always be interpreted considering the hair segment and sampling site, hair growth, cosmetic or thermal treatments, analytical methodology, and the overall case context.
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