Do DNA mouth swabs show alcohol use?

DNA mouth swabs are not typically used to detect recent alcohol use. Alcohol is metabolized relatively quickly, and evidence of alcohol use is usually gone from the body within hours or days. Blood, breath, and urine tests are more commonly used to detect recent alcohol use.

DNA mouth swabs can, however, be used to detect chronic alcohol use. This is because chronic alcohol use can lead to changes in DNA methylation, a process that alters how genes are expressed. These changes can be detected through a DNA methylation analysis.

DNA methylation analysis is a relatively new technology, and its use in the detection of chronic alcohol use is still being researched. However, it has the potential to become a valuable tool for diagnosing alcohol use disorder and monitoring treatment progress.