Alcohol Blood Tests: Types, Uses, and Results

It’s important to note that the more you drink, the longer alcohol stays in the system. The tests below are the most commonly used methods of testing for alcohol consumption. The timeframes listed are the general maximum amount of time after drinking that the test can detect alcohol metabolites in your system.

• The substance is absorbed into the bloodstream through the stomach and the walls of the small intestines, affecting the kidneys, bladder, liver, lungs and skin.
• Anxiety causes your body to divert blood from your stomach and into your muscles, slowing absorption.
• And even occasional binge drinking episodes can have profound effects on your liver’s health over time.
• Metabolism is the body’s chemical process for breaking down a substance to be absorbed or used as energy.
• However, this varies across individuals, drinking occasions, and the quantity of alcohol consumed.

After you stop drinking, booze stays in your bloodstream for up to 6 hours. But it can linger on your breath, in your saliva, or pee anywhere from 12 to 24 hours. Weirdly, it can be detected on your hair for up to 90 days (the more you know ?).

What factors affect how long alcohol stays in your system?

Research has shown that alcohol use disorder, or alcoholism, tends to run in families, suggesting a genetic link. However, genes alone are not responsible for whether someone becomes an alcoholic. Blood flow may be slower, and an older person may be more likely to be taking medication that affects the liver. USA TODAY is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From “What is the smallest dog in the world?” to “How to get rid of hiccups?” to “What is food insecurity?”, we’re striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day.

If you want to minimize your chances of getting drunk, eat something with your drink and alternate between alcohol and a glass of water. So after one drink, your BAC should be back below the “drunk” threshold about 60 minutes after you drain your glass. But again, this is a generalization and could be different depending on the person and situation. As you get older, your liver works more slowly, so it takes longer to excrete alcohol. Many aging adults also take medication that can affect liver function, slowing the process further. Just as family history plays a role in the development of an alcohol use disorder, how quickly the body processes and excretes alcohol also has a genetic link.

Private outpatient treatment

The more weight you carry, the more water you accumulate in your body. Because water dilutes the alcohol, a person who weighs more will have a lower BAC level. Despite drinking the same amount of alcohol, a person with less body weight will have a higher BAC level. The recommended drinking limit for men is two or fewer standard alcoholic drinks. Alcohol is eliminated from your blood at a rate of 3.3 mmol/hour (15 mg/100 ml/hour). However, this varies across individuals, drinking occasions, and the quantity of alcohol consumed.

Too many alcoholic drinks doesn’t just contribute to not-fun next-day effects like a raging hangover. It’s also tied to mental health https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/what-is-alcohol-abuse–how-to-treat-alcoholism/ conditions like depression and anxiety. Alcohol can be detected in your body for hours, days, weeks, or even months after drinking.

How long does alcohol stay on your breath?

Generally, these are accurate for 12 to 24 hours, although you may test positive up to 80 hours after drinking alcohol. The ability to metabolize alcohol slows as you age, the Cleveland Clinic’s Health Essentials website says. Alcohol will have heightened effects on those with lower how long does alcohol stay in your system weights and smaller body sizes. If you’re drinking on an empty stomach, then the effects of alcohol may be enhanced. Different medications can have dangerous side effects when paired with alcohol. Any present liver conditions can harm your ability to handle alcohol and process it.

If you’re struggling with alcohol addiction, seeking professional treatment can be the first step toward a healthier and happier future. Heavy drinkers can also experience more severe health consequences due to heavy drinking habits. A BAC of .08% is equivalent to four drinks consumed by a 160-pound person in one hour.

How Does Your Body Get Rid of Alcohol?

There are several tests to measure the level of alcohol in your blood. These procedures are typically simple but may take several weeks to get results. A shot of liquor is estimated to metabolize in an hour, a pint of beer in two, a glass of wine in three, and several drinks could take multiple hours, according to Healthline.com. As the alcohol hits your liver, the organ responsible for clearing toxins out, the liver responds by producing the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase. Alcohol dehydrogenase breaks the booze down into ketones that exit your body via pee, sweat, or breath. You’re legally drunk once your BAC hits .08 percent or higher — the point at which it’s considered unsafe to drive.