How Long Does Alcohol Remain In The System?

Posted on Fri, 13 May 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 13 May 2016 Answered on

Thu, 23 Jun 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I have been drinking 7-10 drinks once a week for the past six months sometimes twice a week on certain occasions how long do I have to wait to ensure a negative peth test I haven't drank in 13 days when is it safe to take the test to make sure it's not positive I'm a 47 year old female I have worked out 6 times in the last 3 weeks and my last drink was April 29

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.

Alcohol stays in the system and is detectable for up to 3 days. A test taken any time after three days will be negative. You have not drunk in 13 days, so the test will be negative.

Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private link below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (12 minutes later)

I am specifically asking about a blood test that uses specific bio makers to detect ethanol. It's a peth test. phosphatidylethanol that's detected in your red blood cells

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
My apologies. A peth test detects alcohol metabolites with 99% accuracy for 21 days after consumption. You will fail this test if you take it 13 days after drinking.

Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private link below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (6 minutes later)

So when is it safe to take it I'm getting conflicting information from everything I read it says 21 days some say 4-6 weeks

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (18 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
Reliability is only up to 21 days. The test is not accurate and cannot detect alcohol after 21 days. Of course, the best solution would be for you to simply stop drinking, to avoid this problem altogether.

Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private link below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad