Alcohol typically takes between 6 to 72 hours to leave the system, depending on the type of test used and individual factors. Generally, alcohol can be detected in:
- Blood for up to 12 hours
- Breath for 12 to 24 hours
- Urine for 12 to 24 hours, with some tests detecting up to 72 hours or more after heavy drinking
- Saliva for up to 12 hours
- Hair for up to 90 days
The liver metabolizes alcohol at an average rate of about one standard drink per hour, and the half-life of alcohol in the body is about 4 to 5 hours, meaning it may take about 25 hours for the body to completely clear alcohol after drinking stops. Factors such as genetics, amount consumed, age, weight, and whether food was eaten can influence these times.
