How Long Does Alcohol Stay in Your System?
Whether you're facing a breathalyzer, drug test at work, or medical procedure, here's exactly how long alcohol remains detectable in your body.
General information, not professional advice — see terms of use.
Detection windows by test type:
Blood: Up to 12 hours. BAC peaks 30–90 minutes after your last drink.
Breath: 12–24 hours depending on amount consumed.
Urine (standard): 12–48 hours.
Urine (EtG test): Up to 80 hours (3+ days). EtG tests are used in probation, liver transplant programs, and workplace monitoring.
Saliva: 12–24 hours.
Hair: Up to 90 days.
How fast your body processes alcohol: The liver metabolizes approximately one standard drink per hour. A standard drink is 12 oz beer (5%), 5 oz wine (12%), or 1.5 oz spirits (40%). Food, water, and time are the only factors — coffee, cold showers, and exercise do not speed up metabolism.
Factors affecting elimination: Body weight, age, sex, liver health, medications, and genetics.
Follow-up questions
What is the legal BAC limit for driving in the US?
The legal limit is 0.08% BAC for adults 21+ in all US states. For commercial drivers it is 0.04%. For drivers under 21, zero tolerance applies (0.00–0.02%). Impairment begins well before 0.08%.
How many drinks does it take to reach 0.08% BAC?
This varies widely by body weight and drinking pace. A 160-lb man reaches approximately 0.08% after 4 standard drinks in 2 hours. A 120-lb woman may reach 0.08% after just 2–3 drinks. Online BAC calculators provide general estimates.
Can you sober up faster by drinking coffee or water?
No. Coffee and water do not speed up alcohol metabolism. Only time allows your liver to process alcohol. Coffee may make you feel more alert while remaining equally impaired — which can actually be more dangerous.
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This page is general information, not professional advice, and it may not reflect the latest rules where you live. For your own situation, talk to a qualified adviser. Spotted an error? Email per@upperia.se and we will fix it.