She Strengthens

The Lowdown on Booze: How Long Does It Stay in Your System?

When you’re out having a good time, it’s easy to lose track of how much you’ve had to drink. But have you ever wondered how long alcohol stays in your system? From the moment it hits your bloodstream to the lingering effects the next day, we’ve got the scoop on what happens when you drink.

How Your Body Processes Booze

After you take a sip, your body gets to work immediately to break down the alcohol. On average, your body can process one standard drink per hour. But what counts as a standard drink? That’s 12 ounces of beer, 8-9 ounces of malt liquor, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits. Once you’ve had one of these, your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) should be back below the legal limit of 0.08% about an hour later.

Factors That Affect How Long You Feel the Effects

But here’s the thing: how long you feel the effects of alcohol depends on a lot of factors. What you drink, how much you drink, and how fast you drink it all play a role. Even eating or sipping water while drinking can make a difference. And let’s not forget about your sex and overall size – these can affect how quickly your body processes booze too.

How to Avoid Getting Drunk

So, how can you minimize your chances of getting drunk? Eat something with your drink and alternate between booze and water. Limit yourself to one drink per hour, max, to give your body time to process the alcohol without overloading your system.

How Do You Know You’re Drunk?

You’re legally drunk once your BAC hits 0.08% or higher. But unless you’re getting a breath, blood, or urine test, it’s hard to know for sure. Instead, pay attention to how you’re feeling. If you’re slurring your words, stumbling, or having trouble seeing clearly, you’re probably over the legal limit.

How Long Does Booze Stay in Your System?

After you stop drinking, alcohol stays in your bloodstream for up to 6 hours. But it can linger on your breath, in your saliva, or pee for anywhere from 12 to 24 hours. And weirdly, it can even be detected on your hair for up to 90 days.

The Deal with Hangovers

Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do to speed up hangovers. So-called “hangover cures” might help you feel less crummy after drinking too much, but they won’t help your body clear out the alcohol faster. The best way to avoid overloading your system is by not overdoing it in the first place.

When to Be Concerned About Alcohol Poisoning

Alcohol is a toxin, and taking in more than your body can handle can lead to poisoning or an overdose – which can cause permanent brain damage or even death. If someone is showing signs of alcohol poisoning, such as severe confusion, vomiting, or slow breathing, don’t try to snap them out of it or assume they’ll sleep it off. Call 911 right away.

The Takeaway

Your body processes alcohol at a rate of around one standard-sized drink per hour, but booze can be detected in your blood, breath, and pee for a long time afterwards. Having more than that overloads your system with more booze than it can process at once, which is what ultimately causes you to feel drunk and sends your BAC over the legal limit. So, be smart, be safe, and always plan ahead.