01 402 9466
info@alphabiolabs.ie
0 Items
Sober October is back for 2026, and people across Ireland are signing up to go alcohol-free for 31 days. In Ireland, Sober October is run in support of Coolmine, a Dublin-based charity providing drug and alcohol treatment and recovery services, with money raised helping to fund addiction recovery services across the country. The idea is […]
Top 10 Drug & Alcohol Testing Myths – Busted!
Myth #2: It’s difficult to conduct drug & alcohol testing on someone with little or no head hair
We’re continuing our myth-busting series with the misconception that it’s difficult to perform a drug or alcohol test if the sample donor has little or no head hair. It isn’t. Whether a donor has a shaved head, short hair or no hair at all, other validated testing methods are available to ensure you can still […]
The importance of expert interpretation in hair testing
Hair testing is an established tool in family proceedings, providing a retrospective view of drug and alcohol exposure over several months and is particularly useful when combined with tests for recent use, using samples such as blood, oral fluid, or urine. However, laboratory analysis is only part of the process. Here, we look at why […]
Top 10 Drug & Alcohol Testing Myths – Busted!
Myth #1: Hair strand testing works the same for drugs and alcohol
Drug and alcohol testing carries real weight in family law, informing decisions on contact, custody and safeguarding. But misconceptions about how laboratory testing works are common, even among the most experienced social workers and family law professionals. In this series, we’re setting the record straight on the top 10 drug & alcohol testing myths that […]
International FASD Day 2026: Raising awareness and supporting recovery
Each year on the 9th day of the 9th month, the world marks International Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Day, a date chosen deliberately to symbolise the importance of remaining alcohol-free throughout all nine months of pregnancy. In Ireland, September is also FASD Awareness Month, a dedicated period for shining a light on FASD and […]
Continuity you can count on: Why choosing a reliable testing laboratory matters
Drug, alcohol and DNA testing plays a critical role across family law and child welfare, informing safeguarding decisions, care proceedings, and the arrangements that shape a family’s future. Whether the results are being used to support a court case, safeguarding assessment, or decision made in a child’s best interests, the reliability of the testing laboratory […]
Alcohol misuse in Ireland: What the latest evidence means for family proceedings
Alcohol misuse remains a persistent and growing concern across Ireland. According to the Health Research Board (HRB), an average of four people die every day in Ireland as a result of alcohol use, with alcohol-related hospitalisations remaining consistently high. Furthermore, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, cites addiction among the key pressures driving demand on […]
Beyond the cut-off: How AlphaBiolabs interprets drug and alcohol test results for family cases
When a drug or alcohol test result is presented in family court proceedings, the stakes could not be higher. Decisions about a child’s welfare, access arrangements, or parental capacity may rest, at least in part, on what that report says – and how it has been interpreted. Cut-off levels are a well-established and important part […]
COA Awareness Week 2026: Supporting children affected by parental alcohol misuse
For many children, home is a place of comfort and security. But for others, home is a place of uncertainty, where a parent’s drinking casts a long shadow over daily life. Running from 8-14 February, COA Awareness Week shines a light on the often-hidden struggles faced by Children of Alcoholics (COAs) – young people growing […]
Dry January 2026: Why taking a break from alcohol matters
Many people choose to start a new year with a renewed focus on health and wellbeing. One increasingly popular way to do this is by taking part in Dry January – an international campaign that encourages people to take a break from alcohol for 31 days. First launched in the UK in 2013, Dry January […]