Alcohol can be detected in urine for varying lengths of time depending on the type of test used and the amount of alcohol consumed:
- Standard urine tests that detect unmetabolized ethanol (alcohol itself) typically can identify alcohol in urine for up to 12 hours after the last drink
- More sensitive urine tests that detect alcohol metabolites, such as ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and ethyl sulfate (EtS), can detect alcohol consumption for a longer period, generally between 24 to 72 hours after drinking, and in some cases up to about 80 hours (around 3 days), especially following heavy drinking
- The detection window is shorter for light drinking (up to 12-24 hours) and longer for heavy or chronic drinking (up to 72-80 hours or more)
In summary, alcohol itself is usually detectable in urine for up to 12 hours, but its metabolites can be detected for up to 3 days after consumption, depending on the test sensitivity and drinking amount.
