How long does alcohol stay in your body? A clear guide on detection and metabolism

Whether it’s for a routine check or just peace of mind—this guide explains where alcohol hides in your body and when it finally clears out. (Image: Pexels)

There is a popular misconception that a late evening drink is metabolised by the next morning and leaves no trace in the body, but science says otherwise. While you may be feeling sober after a couple of hours, alcohol can stay in the body for much longer—sometimes even days. This is just as significant for health as it is for driving, workplace tests, and medical procedures.

Understanding how long alcohol remains in the system supports individuals to plan safer, responsible steps, be it for driving, medical procedures, or to comply with workplace policies.

How alcohol is metabolised by your body?

Alcohol undergoes initial metabolism in the stomach, where some enzymes begin to break it down. However, most of it moves into the small intestine, where it is absorbed into the blood to be transported to the liver.

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In the liver, alcohol is metabolised into acetaldehyde—a toxic substance that triggers adverse symptoms like nausea, flushing, and heart palpitations at even modest levels. From there, every effort is made to excrete it.

Where does alcohol linger?

After consuming a standard drink (a beer, a glass of wine, or a single shot of spirits), it is detected in the blood in about one hour. Although it is retained in the body for an entire day, symptoms such as light intoxication and dizziness clear from a person much earlier.

The presence of alcohol can be confirmed for longer durations in the following parts of the body:

Blood: Alcohol presence in blood can be detected for a period of up to 12 hours after consumption.

Breath: Breathalyser, an alcohol testing method, can show positive results for alcohol for between 12 and 24 hours, depending on the quantity consumed and the metabolism of the individual.

Urine: Alcohol can be detected using classic urine testing for between 12 and 24 hours, but advanced testing (such as ethyl glucuronide or EtG) can detect alcohol usage for up to 72 hours and in some instances even 5 days.

Saliva: Alcohol can be detected in saliva for up to 12 hours.

Hair: The most long-term marker, alcohol can be tracked in hair follicles for up to 90 days.

What affects the metabolism of alcohol?

There is no standard rate at which people metabolise alcohol. Some factors include:

Biological variations: Due to body composition and enzyme activity, women tend to metabolise alcohol slower than men.

Personal metabolism: Factors like your age, genetic makeup, the state of your liver, and any medicines you're taking can all greatly alter your metabolic rate.

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Eating habits: Eating prior to or while drinking not only slows down alcohol assimilation but also reduces the level of inebriation, aiding the body in dealing with alcohol.

Why is it essential?

From ensuring safety and health to passing an exam, the effects of alcohol on the body encompass many objectives. Steering clear of drunk driving, setting up medical procedures, and understanding one's physical capabilities are all facets of alcohol's impact that empower individuals to act responsibly.