When someone talks about drug tests, many people automatically think of random employer drug testing. But since alcohol consumption among adults is not illegal, most employers aren’t going to test randomly to see if their workers have consumed alcohol in the recent past. Here are some times and reasons you might face a test for alcohol consumption.
A law enforcement officer has reason to believe you were driving under the influence and requests that you take a breathalyzer or blood alcohol test.
You work for an employer that chooses to or is required to test for alcohol use because of safety concerns, such as employers hiring for positions that fall under the Department of Transportation’s safety-sensitive definitions.
Your employer has required you to agree to random alcohol use tests because of a previous issue of being intoxicated on the job.
You are part of a rehab program or treatment plan that requires you to submit to periodic tests for alcohol use.
You are being considered for an organ transplant — specifically a liver transplant — and medical staff must ensure you haven’t been drinking alcohol.
You are part of a legal or criminal investigation, and whether or not you had any alcohol within a certain time frame is of material fact.