How Long Does Alcohol Stay in Your System?
How Long Alcohol Stays in Your System – Complete Breakdown
When you drink alcohol, it travels into your bloodstream and is broken down by your liver. On average, your body metabolizes about one standard drink per hour, but many factors — like age, weight, and hydration — affect how long alcohol stays in your system.
🧍♂️ Average Alcohol Detection Times
| Test Type | Detection Window | What It Detects |
|---|---|---|
| Blood test | 6–12 hours | Alcohol (Ethanol) |
| Breath test | Up to 24 hours | Alcohol vapor |
| Urine alcohol test | 12–24 hours | Ethanol |
| EtG urine test | Up to 80 hours | Ethyl Glucuronide (EtG) |
| Hair test | Up to 90 days | Long-term use |
⚖️ Factors That Affect Alcohol Detection Time
- Body weight and gender – influence how quickly alcohol metabolizes.
- Food intake – slows absorption and reduces BAC spikes.
- Hydration – helps your body flush alcohol naturally.
- Liver health – determines how efficiently alcohol breaks down.
- Drinking frequency – frequent drinking increases detection times.
🧮 EtG Test: The Most Sensitive Alcohol Test
The EtG (Ethyl Glucuronide) test detects alcohol use for up to 80 hours after drinking. It measures EtG, a metabolite created when your body processes alcohol — making it far more accurate than a basic urine test.
| Drinking Level | EtG Detection Time |
|---|---|
| Light drinking | 24–36 hours |
| Moderate drinking | 48–60 hours |
| Heavy drinking | Up to 80 hours |
Can You Flush Alcohol Faster?
There’s no instant way to remove alcohol from your system. Your liver and kidneys handle detox naturally. However, you can support your body’s process by:
- Staying hydrated
- Eating balanced meals
- Getting rest
- Avoiding more alcohol
Use an EtG Calculator for Estimates
An EtG calculator helps you estimate how long alcohol or EtG may remain detectable in your system. It uses factors like drinks consumed, body weight, and hours since last drink.
Keep in mind — calculators provide realistic estimates, not exact results. Only a lab EtG test confirms detection accurately.
Summary
- Alcohol can remain in your system for a few hours to several days.
- EtG urine tests detect alcohol longer than any standard ethanol test.
- Detection time depends on your health, drinking pattern, and metabolism.
- The safest way to test cleanly is to avoid drinking before any alcohol test.
Quick FAQ
Q1: How long does alcohol stay in your urine?
Up to 24 hours for ethanol, up to 80 hours for EtG.
Q2: How long does alcohol stay in blood?
Around 6–12 hours depending on metabolism.
Q3: Can water help flush alcohol?
Water supports your body’s detox process, but only time removes alcohol completely.
Q4: What’s the most accurate alcohol test?
The EtG urine test is the most sensitive and detects use several days later.