Test Details & Preparation

• Blood Alcohol Level (BAL) test is done to determine if someone has consumed alcohol and to measure the amount present.


• Blood Alcohol Level (BAL) test is performed when someone has signs and symptoms that suggest intoxication or ethanol poisoning when a person is suspected of violating drinking-related laws, or as part of a drug testing panel.


• A blood sample drawn from a vein in the arm, a urine sample, or sometimes a breath sample rarely, saliva is collected. Blood, urine, and saliva samples must be sent to a laboratory for analysis. A breath sample is analysed immediately on site using a breathalyser.


• No preparation is required for a Blood Alcohol Level (BAL) test.


• For medical testing, the detection of ethanol in a sample indicates that a person has likely been drinking, and the concentration present can give an indication of the degree of intoxication. Symptoms and complications may vary significantly from person to person.


• For legal testing, results obtained are compared to legal allowable limits.


• Someone who chronically consumes significant amounts of ethanol can develop a tolerance to it and may show fewer signs and symptoms and visible impairment at a higher blood alcohol level than someone who does not consume ethanol as often.