How long alcohol stays in a person’s body depends on how much they have drunk and how quickly. The liver can metabolize alcohol at a rate of about 1 hour per standard drink, but some tests still detect alcohol in the blood after 24 hours.
A standard drink is about 12 ounces (oz) of beer, 4 oz of wine, or 1 and 1/4 oz of 80-proof distilled spirits. The more a person drinks, the longer it will take for alcohol to leave the system.
A small amount of alcohol leaves the body through a person’s urine, sweat, and breath. However, the liver breaks down most of it.
The only way to eliminate alcohol from the body is by giving the liver enough time to metabolize it.
If a person who has a history of heavy drinking undergoes an alcohol detox, they can develop several symptoms of withdrawal. In some cases, symptoms can become life threatening, so it is best to detox under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
Help is available
Seeking help for addiction may feel daunting or even scary, but several organizations can provide support.
If you believe that you or someone close to you is showing signs of addiction, you can contact the following organizations for immediate help and advice:
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): 800-662-4357 (TTY: 800-487-4889)
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988
How long alcohol stays in the body depends on multiple factors, such as the person’s age, sex, how much they have drunk, and how quickly. Different tests can also detect alcohol in the body in varying timeframes.
For example, a standard urine test can detect alcohol up to
Breath tests, such as those using a breathalyzer, can detect alcohol for up to
Alcohol may also remain detectable in the hair for around
| Testing method | How long after drinking can it detect alcohol? |
|---|---|
| urine | 12 to 24 hours |
| breath | 12 to 24 hours |
| blood | 12 to 24 hours |
| hair | 90 days |
Other factors can affect how alcohol affects a person and how fast they metabolize it, including age, sex, other medications, whether the individual has eaten, how much they have drunk, and how quickly.
Learn moreLearn more about alcohol and detoxing.
People with alcohol use disorder (AUD) or a history of prolonged heavy drinking may experience withdrawal symptoms when they detox from alcohol.
According to the American Addiction Centers, it may take around 8 hours for initial withdrawal symptoms to start. These symptoms will begin to decrease and resolve within 5 to 7 days.
A person can expect the following general timeline:
- About 8 hours after the last drink, the initial stage of withdrawal symptoms begins.
- After about 24 to 72 hours, symptoms generally peak.
- After about 5 to 7 days, symptoms may decrease in intensity.
- After the first week, some side effects, particularly psychological effects, may continue.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms typically occur in three stages:
- Stage 1: The first symptoms, which include nausea, anxiety, insomnia, and abdominal pain, tend to begin within 8 hours of the last drink.
- Stage 2: Symptoms can include high blood pressure, increased body temperature, atypical heart rate, and confusion. These symptoms typically begin 24 to 72 hours after the last drink.
- Stage 3: Symptoms typically begin about 2 to 4 days after the final drink and can include fever, seizures, hallucinations, and agitation.
As the alcohol leaves the system, a person should start to notice symptoms decreasing. Most people tend to notice a reduction in symptoms within 5 to 7 days.
In addition to physical symptoms, a person will likely experience some psychological side effects, such as alcohol cravings or anxiety.
Withdrawal syndrome can be dangerous, particularly if a person experiences severe hallucinations or seizures. For this reason, it is advisable to go to a rehab center, where the staff can help monitor worsening symptoms.
When detox occurs in a medical center, healthcare professionals often use medication to treat the symptoms of withdrawal. Doctors may prescribe benzodiazepines to manage seizures and other alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Quitting or cutting down on alcoholic beverages benefits a person’s physical and mental health.
Detoxing from alcohol is an important first step toward recovery, but it can be challenging, and people need to approach it with care.
Here are some tips for a safer and more effective detox:
- Consult a healthcare professional: Speaking with a doctor or addiction specialist before detoxing is a good idea, especially after heavy alcohol use.
- Take it one day at a time: Break the process into small, manageable goals. Celebrate milestones, such as 1 day or 1 week without alcohol.
- Choose a safe environment: It is best to detox in a calm, safe setting with support from trusted friends, family, or professionals. People with a history of heavy drinking or severe withdrawal symptoms may wish to strongly consider a medically supervised detox facility.
- Stay hydrated: Alcohol dehydrates the body, so drinking plenty of water, herbal teas, or electrolyte-rich fluids can reduce withdrawal symptoms such as headaches or fatigue.
- Focus on nutrition: Eating balanced meals with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can support the body’s recovery. A person can consume foods rich in B vitamins, such as leafy greens, and magnesium, such as nuts and seeds.
- Avoid triggers: A person can remove alcohol from the home and avoid situations or people that might tempt them to drink. It may help to plan alternative activities, such as exercising, reading, or engaging in hobbies.
- Avoid replacing alcohol with other substances: Substituting alcohol with other substances, such as nicotine or caffeine, can increase stress or cravings.
A person needs to seek help if they notice that they or someone they know has symptoms of alcohol use disorder.
Seeking help can be challenging for the individual experiencing addiction. Loved ones and friends can help by letting the person know that they are not alone in their difficulties.
If a person is unsure whether they need help, Recovery Worldwide suggests that they use a tool called CAGE. This is a short questionnaire that healthcare professionals may use to help screen people for treatment.
If a person can answer yes to two or more of the CAGE questions, they need to strongly consider seeking treatment.
The CAGE questions include the following:
- Have you ever felt that you should cut down on your drinking?
- Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
- Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
- Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get over a hangover?
How long alcohol stays in the body depends on various factors, but most tests can detect alcohol in the system for 12 to 24 hours. Tests can also detect alcohol in the hair for up to 90 days.
An alcohol detox may cause withdrawal symptoms in people with alcohol use disorder (AUD) or a history of heavy drinking. It may take a few weeks for the withdrawal symptoms to reduce in intensity.
When a person decides to quit drinking, they need to seek professional help. This help may take the form of rehab or working with medical professionals to reduce alcohol consumption gradually over a few weeks.
