How Long Does Alcohol Stay In Your System?

Like most substances we consume, alcohol is primarily broken down in the liver and removed from the body by the kidneys. The rate at which these metabolic processes occur depends on factors like your genetics, the amount you drank, your body weight, and if you had food in your stomach. 

Alcohol can worsen your judgment and affect your ability to drive and use machinery. Driving under the influence is prohibited and carries hefty legal consequences. By learning how long alcohol stays in your system, you can make healthier choices and better plan to avoid the adverse effects.

How Does The Body Break Down Alcohol?

Our bodies have a well-established process for breaking down alcohol, and this process is pretty efficient. About 90–98% of the substance is metabolized and absorbed. The small percentage left over is removed through sweat, urine, breath, vomit, or feces. 

Once an alcoholic beverage is consumed, it moves through the digestive system, from the mouth down the gullet to the stomach and small intestine. About 20% of the alcohol is directly absorbed through the stomach lining, while the remaining amount is absorbed into the bloodstream through the small intestine. Once in the blood, the substance quickly circulates around the body, affecting multiple systems. 

The liver is the organ primarily concerned with alcohol metabolism. On average, it processes one standard drink (an ounce of pure alcohol) an hour. If you consume more alcohol than your liver can handle within a set time, the excess builds up in your blood and other tissues until it can be metabolized. Repeated or excessive drinking at this rate can, over time, damage the brain, liver and other organs. 

How Long Before Alcohol Is Eliminated From the Body?

Detection times for alcohol can vary depending on the type of test used and whether the subject is a chronic alcohol user. The substance can be detected in the body between 6 to 72 hours, depending on the testing method:

• Blood tests can pick up traces of alcohol in the bloodstream for up to 6 hours after your last drink.
• Urine tests generally identify alcohol for about 12–14 hours after consumption.
• Breathalyzers detect alcohol on your breath for roughly 12–14 hours.
• Saliva tests can also show alcohol for 12–14 hours after drinking.
• Hair tests have the longest window, with alcohol traces remaining in hair follicles for up to 90 days.

What Is Blood Alcohol Concentration (BuAC)?

Blood alcohol concentration is the most widely used method to determine how much alcohol is present in your system and how it might be affecting your body. It is described as the percentage of alcohol in blood. For example, if your BAC is 0.1, that means your blood is 0.1% alcohol. 

In many countries, including the US, a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 and above is considered legally intoxicated.

As BAC levels rise, so do the negative effects of alcohol and the risk of overdose:

• 0.06% – 0.15% BAC: Moderate impairment of speech, memory, attention, coordination, and balance. Driving becomes unsafe.
• 0.16% – 0.30% BAC: Severe impairments in speech, memory, attention, balance, reaction time, and coordination. Driving is extremely dangerous. Judgment and decision-making are compromised. There is a high risk of blackouts, vomiting, and loss of consciousness.
• 0.31% – 0.45% BAC: At this level, there is a risk of life-threatening alcohol poisoning. Breathing, heart rate, and body temperature regulation may be suppressed, increasing the likelihood of death.

The risk of alcohol overdose is much higher with binge drinking. This is defined as having 4 drinks within 2 hours for females or 5 drinks within 2 hours for males. Extreme binge drinking occurs when someone drinks twice or more than these amounts in the same timeframe. Drinking such large quantities of alcohol quickly overwhelms the liver’s ability to process it, causing BAC to spike dangerously.

How Long Does It Take To Get Sober?

The time needed to sober up depends on the amount of alcohol consumed and individual factors. A standard drink raises BAC by approximately 0.02. BAC typically reaches its peak about 60 to 90 minutes after drinking, and from there, the body needs about an hour and a half to process each drink.

Individual differences affect this process. Your weight, health status, and drinking history influence this process. While you may feel sober as your BAC gets to 0.02, remember that traces of alcohol can still impair your physical and mental performance.

Get Help Today

If you or your LGBTQ+ loved one is struggling with alcohol use or addiction and needs help, don't hesitate to reach out to Pride Detox. At Pride Detox, we offer effective and individualized treatment to assist our clients on their journey through our alcohol detox programs, as well as our residential treatment and therapy. We believe in approaching our clients’ concerns without judgment. Contact us today at 1-562-525-5121 to get started on your journey toward a healthier future.