Alcohol typically takes about 1 hour to be metabolized per standard drink, but this can vary depending on individual factors such as age, weight, gender, metabolism, food intake, and drinking habits
. Here is a breakdown of how long alcohol can be detected in different parts of the body:
- Blood: Up to 12 hours
- Breath: 12 to 24 hours
- Urine: 12 to 24 hours, but can be up to 72 hours or more after heavy drinking
- Saliva: Up to 12 hours
- Hair: Up to 90 days
The liver metabolizes about 90-98% of the alcohol, primarily through enzymes like alcohol dehydrogenase, at an average rate of about 0.015 blood alcohol concentration (BAC) per hour, which corresponds roughly to one standard drink per hour
. The half-life of alcohol is about 4-5 hours, meaning it takes about 25 hours (five half-lives) to fully clear alcohol from the system after consumption
. No methods like drinking water, coffee, or taking a shower can speed up alcohol elimination; only time allows the liver to metabolize and clear alcohol from the body
. In summary, while a standard drink is generally metabolized in about an hour, alcohol can be detected in the body for much longer depending on the testing method and individual factors, with complete elimination taking roughly a day or more after drinking.
