What can cause a urine test to be positive for alcohol when alcohol wasn't consumed?

We are guessing that you took an EtG test, which tests for a metabolite of alcohol called ethyl glucuronide. You do not have to consume alcohol in order to test positive. The EtG remains in your system in detectable amounts for up to three days, and exposure to small amounts of alcohol in the hours before the test can cause positives. That includes after shave, mouthwash, and some cosmetics and lotions.

For that reason, most experts recommend that EtG screens not be used for non-therapeutic tests. It is such an easy tool, however, that many agencies continue to use them as they are nearly impossible to scam.

If it was not an EtG test, then someone was consuming alcohol. End of story.