Alcohol can stay in your system for varying lengths of time depending on the type of test used and individual factors such as metabolism, age, weight, and amount consumed. Here is a summary of detection times by test type:
- Blood: Alcohol can be detected in the blood for up to 12 hours after consumption
- Breath: Alcohol can be detected on the breath for 12 to 24 hours
- Urine: Alcohol is typically detectable for 12 to 24 hours, but specialized urine tests like ethyl glucuronide (EtG) can detect alcohol metabolites for up to 3 to 5 days (approximately 80 hours) after drinking, especially with heavy use
- Saliva: Alcohol can be detected in saliva for up to 12 to 24 hours
- Hair: Alcohol or its metabolites can be detected in hair follicles for up to 90 days
The body metabolizes alcohol at an average rate of about one standard drink per hour, but this can vary based on individual physiology and drinking conditions
. The half-life of alcohol in the body is about 4 to 5 hours, meaning it takes roughly 25 hours to completely clear alcohol from the system
. Factors influencing how long alcohol stays in your system include:
- Amount and type of alcohol consumed
- Individual metabolic rate and liver function
- Presence of food in the stomach
- Age, weight, genetics, and overall health
- Frequency and chronicity of alcohol use
In summary, while the immediate effects of alcohol may wear off within hours, alcohol and its metabolites can be detected in the body for much longer periods depending on the testing method used. Detection Time Overview:
Test Type| Detection Window
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Blood| Up to 12 hours
Breath| 12–24 hours
Urine| 12–24 hours (up to 80+ hours with EtG test)
Saliva| Up to 12–24 hours
Hair| Up to 90 days
This variability means there is no fixed time for alcohol to completely leave the body, and detection depends heavily on the context of testing and individual differences
