Knowing how long alcohol stays in your system is crucial, especially if you want to do a probation drug test. When you are placed on probation, you must comply with the rules and regulations set by the probation officer. Drug testing is a common practice of probation to monitor compliance with drug-free requirements. The question is, how long does alcohol stay in your system and show up on a breathalyzer? Let us find out the answer here.
How Long Does Alcohol Stay in Your System?
When alcohol is consumed, it is absorbed quickly into the bloodstream through the stomach and small intestine. From there, alcohol is distributed throughout the body, including the brain, where alcohol will exert its effects. Here, the liver plays an important role in metabolizing alcohol, breaking it down into byproducts which can be eliminated from the body.
So, how long does alcohol stay in your body system? Apparently, the length of time alcohol stays in your body system can vary depending on several factors.
Here are several factors that can determine the length of time alcohol stays in the system:
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- The method of testing for alcohol you used.
- The amount of alcohol you consumed.
- Body weights
- Gender
- Age
- Metabolism
- Overall health
Based on the research, in most cases, alcohol can stay in your body system between 6 to 72 hours. It depends on the method of testing for alcohol you used.
Methods of Testing for Alcohol
There are some methods of testing for alcohol. Those include:
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Blood
Alcohol can be detected in the blood for a limited period, typically ranging from 6 to 12 hours after the last drink. But you need to note that the duration can be influenced by a few factors such as the amount of alcohol you consumed, your metabolism, and other variables.
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Breath
When you consume alcohol, it is absorbed into your bloodstream and eliminated through your breath. Alcohol is detectable in your breath through a breathalyzer test for 12 to 24 hours.
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Urine
Alcohol is detectable in your urine for 3 to 5 days through ethyl glucuronide (EtG) metabolite, 10 to 12 hours through the traditional method, 72 or more hours with more advanced detection methods.
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Saliva
Alcohol is detectable in saliva for a similar timeframe as urine, usually up to 12 to 24 hours after you consumed alcohol.
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Hair
Alcohol is detectable with a hair follicle drug test for up to 90 days.
How Long Does Alcohol Show Up in Your Breath Via a Breathalyzer Test?
A breathalyzer is a tool to estimate your blood alcohol concentration. When you consume alcohol, it is absorbed into your bloodstream and eliminated through your breath. The breathalyzer will measure the alcohol content in your breath to estimate the alcohol level in your blood. Generally, Breathalyzer is used to detect recent alcohol consumption rather than long-term alcohol use. The accuracy and detection period of a breathalyzer may vary based on a few factors such as the device used, calibration of the device, and individual physiological differences. So, how long does alcohol show up in your breath via a Breathalyzer test? As we explained before, alcohol can show up in your breath via a breathalyzer test for 12 to 24 hours.
A bookworm and researcher especially related to law and citizenship education. I spend time every day in front of the internet and the campus library.
