How long does alcohol stay in your body?

Knowing how long alcohol stays in your system is essential, whether you're preparing for a medical test, planning a night out, or simply curious about how your body processes alcohol. While the exact duration varies from person to person, there are general timelines and biological processes that apply to most people.

Understanding how your body metabolizes alcohol, and what factors influence this process, can help you make safer choices and avoid unwanted consequences, such as impaired driving or testing positive in a medical or legal context.

How the body metabolizes alcohol

Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. Once consumed, it’s absorbed into the bloodstream and distributed throughout the body. Within just 30 seconds, alcohol reaches the brain, producing effects like relaxation, slowed reflexes, and impaired coordination.

After about five minutes, alcohol begins to pass through the stomach. A small portion is absorbed here and eliminated via sweat and breath, but the majority, around 90%, enters the small intestine, where it is absorbed into the bloodstream and processed by the liver. This organ plays a central role in alcohol metabolism.

The liver uses specific enzymes, primarily alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), to break down alcohol into acetic acid, which is eventually converted into carbon dioxide and water and eliminated from the body. This complex process occurs at a fairly consistent rate in healthy individuals, though several factors can alter how long alcohol remains in the body.

How fast is alcohol metabolized?

On average, a healthy liver can metabolize one standard drink per hour. A standard drink is typically defined as:

• 12 oz (355 ml) of beer (5% alcohol)

• 5 oz (150 ml) of wine (12% alcohol)

• 1.5 oz (45 ml) of distilled spirits (40% alcohol)

  
  

However, this rate isn't fixed and can vary due to personal and biological factors, including:

• Age: as people age, their liver function may decline, and their body’s water content decreases. Both of these changes can slow down alcohol metabolism, meaning older adults may retain alcohol in their system for longer than younger individuals.

• Gender: women generally have less body water and lower levels of ADH, leading to higher blood alcohol concentration (BAC) after consuming the same amount as men. Hormonal differences may also influence how alcohol is processed, especially during certain phases of the menstrual cycle.

• Body weight and composition: heavier individuals or those with more lean muscle mass typically dilute alcohol more efficiently than those with higher body fat. This is because fat contains less water, leading to a higher BAC in people with more adipose tissue.

• Liver Health: since about 90% of alcohol is processed by the liver, any condition that affects liver function, such as fatty liver disease, hepatitis, or cirrhosis, can significantly delay the metabolism and clearance of alcohol. People with liver disease are also more vulnerable to alcohol-related toxicity.

• Food Intake: drinking on an empty stomach results in quicker alcohol absorption. Eating beforehand, particularly meals rich in protein and fat, slows the absorption rate, giving the liver more time to metabolize alcohol and lowering peak BAC levels.

  
  

How long can alcohol be detected in your body?

Even after the effects of alcohol wear off, traces can remain in the body for hours or even days, depending on the type of test used.

• Blood Test: up to 12 hours

• Breath Test: 12–24 hours

• Urine Test: 12–80 hours (depending on the test)

• Saliva Test: up to 24 hours

• Hair Test: up to 90 days

  
  

Note: hair testing is rarely used for routine screenings. It's generally reserved for forensic investigations or legal requirements due to its long detection window and higher cost.

Common myths about sobering up

There are many myths about how to sober up quickly, but most are not supported by science. Some of the most common include:

• Drinking coffee: caffeine may make you feel more alert but does not speed up alcohol metabolism.

• Taking a cold shower: this might wake you up momentarily but has no effect on your BAC.

• Vomiting or sweating it out: while a small amount of alcohol leaves your body through sweat or breath, this is not enough to significantly impact your overall alcohol levels.

• Exercise: physical activity doesn't change how your liver processes alcohol.

  
  

The only true way to sober up is time. Your liver needs time to do its job, and no home remedy or trick can speed up that process.

Key takeaways

• Alcohol enters your bloodstream within seconds and affects your brain and body quickly.

• The liver is responsible for metabolizing the majority of the alcohol you consume.

• Most people can process about one drink per hour, though this varies based on age, gender, weight, health, and food intake.

• Detection windows vary by test type, from hours (blood, breath) to months (hair).

• No method can “sober you up” instantly. Only time allows your body to clear alcohol completely.

References

• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• Mayo Clinic

• World Health Organization (WHO)

• About the Author

  
  

Dr. Stefan Botnar, MD – English Speaking Doctor in Barcelona for Tourists

Dr. Stefan Botnar is a board-certified English speaking doctor in Barcelona with over 15 years of experience in internal medicine and public health. He provides fast, out-of-pocket consultations for international patients, specializing in preventive care, substance metabolism, travel-related issues, and especially STD/ETS testing and treatment. His clinic is centrally located near the Sagrada Familia and offers in-person and telemedicine appointments, immunizations, nutritional advice, and minor emergency care (fever, gastroenteritis, allergic reactions). Patients pay directly—no insurers required.

Dr. Botnar speaks English, Spanish, Russian, Romanian, and German, ensuring clear communication with a diverse tourist clientele. He delivers evidence-based diagnoses and tailored treatment plans, helping visitors prevent common ailments (heatstroke, food poisoning) and offering comprehensive follow-up until they return home. Contact his Barcelona clinic for fast, reliable medical support during your visit.

Disclaimer

This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making decisions about alcohol consumption or any other health-related concerns.