How Long Does Alcohol Stay In Your System?

If you’ve ever felt the effects (or after-effects) of drinking alcohol, you’ve probably wondered “how long does alcohol stay in your system?” The duration of which alcohol stays in your system depends on the relationship of various factors, as well as what particular system you’re looking at: blood, urine, even hair follicles. Read on below to discover the short answer and the long answer to how long alcohol stays in your system. 

In a purely biological sense, we know alcohol is broken down in the liver through the actions of an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). On average, the adult male liver can metabolize 1 standard drink per hour. This “1 drink per hour” rule is strictly an average estimate for the sake of giving “how long does alcohol stay in your system,” a short answer. 

The long and more accurate answer is that it truly depends on a variety of interrelations. Here are some of the many factors that must be taken into consideration when determining how long alcohol stays in your system as a unique individual:

• Gender: Males have higher naturally-occurring levels of ADH than females. This results in females having a higher Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) than males even after consuming the same amount of drinks. 
• Age: As you grow older, the body’s ability to metabolize alcohol declines. This means, in general, that as a 50 year old, the body cannot process alcohol as quickly and efficiently as it did as a 30 year old.
• Type and strength of the alcohol: As mentioned above, the “one drink per hour,” rule is based on what is considered a “standard drink.” In the United States, one standard drink contains about 14 grams of pure alcohol. This is 12 ounces of regular beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits (shot).
• Empty or full stomach: An empty stomach results in more rapid absorption of alcohol. Consuming alcohol after a meal or while eating a meal can slow the body’s rate of absorption.
• Interaction with any medications: Many medications have ingredients that can react negatively when mixed with alcohol. Other medications may cause drowsiness or lightheadedness and can be very dangerous when consumed with alcohol. Drinking while taking any form of medication is discouraged for these reasons. 

All of the aforementioned factors can either reduce or increase your body’s alcohol processing time. It is important to drink responsibly and pay attention to your personal relationship with alcohol.

You’re most likely aware of the breathalyzer technology that can detect how much alcohol is in a person’s system through their breath. As the user inhales into the device, it estimates the Blood Alcohol Content via chemical reaction. The breathalyzer is technically a blood test in this way, but that is not the only way to measure how long alcohol stays in your system. Here are the different durations for which various tests can detect alcohol in the body:

• Blood Test: Up to 12 hours after consumption
• Urine Test: Up 3 to 5 days via the ethyl glucuronide (EtG) test or 10 to 12 hours via the traditional method after consumption
• Hair Test: Up to 90 days after consumption 

Our Flyby Recovery Capsules should not be taken with the intention of speeding up the body’s alcohol metabolism. Flyby Recovery Capsules contain a blend of herbs and vitamins to support your body’s natural detoxification of alcohol. Always consume alcohol responsibly. If you have a night out coming up, Flyby Recovery Capsules can help you proactively:

• Replenish lost vitamins
• Restore minerals and amino acids
• Rehydrate 
• Promote healthy liver function 

Wake up feeling more refreshed rather than experiencing that next-day-drag. Discover more about how Flyby Recovery Capsules support your system and have some on hand for your next  night out!