Alcohol can be detected in urine for varying lengths of time depending on the type of test and the amount of alcohol consumed:
- Standard urine tests that detect ethanol (the alcohol itself) typically can find alcohol in urine for up to 12 to 24 hours after drinking
- More sensitive urine tests that detect alcohol metabolites, such as ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and ethyl sulfate (EtS), can detect alcohol use for a much longer period, generally up to 72 to 80 hours after the last drink, and sometimes even longer after heavy drinking
- In cases of heavy or chronic drinking, alcohol metabolites may be detectable in urine for up to 3 to 5 days (72 to 130 hours), depending on the test sensitivity and individual metabolism
Factors influencing detection time include the amount of alcohol consumed, individual metabolic rate, body weight, age, liver function, and the specific testing method used
. Summary:
Test Type| Detection Time in Urine
---|---
Ethanol (alcohol) test| Up to 12-24 hours
EtG and EtS metabolite tests| Up to 72-80 hours (3-5 days in some cases)
Heavy/chronic use| Up to 130 hours (5+ days)
Thus, alcohol can stay in your urine from about 12 hours for light drinking up to several days with advanced metabolite testing after heavy drinking
