Direct answer: on average the liver metabolizes alcohol at about 0.015% blood alcohol concentration per hour (roughly one standard drink per hour), though individual factors can cause variation. Context and factors:
- Typical rate: about 0.015 BAC per hour, which translates to roughly one standard drink (about 14 grams of pure ethanol) per hour for many people.
- Variability: gender, body weight and composition, drinking history, liver health, and medications can all influence the exact rate.
- What speeds it up or slows it down: the metabolic rate itself is constant, but higher BAC levels persist longer if more is consumed; liver impairment, certain drugs, or liver disease can slow detoxification.
Common references you might encounter:
- Standard drink approximations: 12 oz beer, 5 oz wine, or 1.5 oz 40% ABV liquor roughly equal one drink.
- The rate cited most often in educational resources is about 0.015 BAC per hour, sometimes written as 0.015 g/dL per hour depending on the convention.
