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How Long Does Alcohol Stay In Body?

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Posted on Wed, 8 Oct 2014
Question: i HAD A TOTAL OF 8 MIXED DRINKS YESTERDAY, STARTING AT 10:00A AND ENDING AT 9:30P. HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE THE ALCOHOL TO LEAVE MY SYSTEM FOR URINE TEST
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (11 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
within three days

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using healthcaremagic.

I read your query and understood your concerns.

It will take less than three days to not to be detected in urine test provided you do not take another drink.

In case you have urine test tomorrow or day after tomorrow it is likely that you will be tested negative for alcohol.

'Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help".
Thanks


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (4 minutes later)
SO IT'S NOT TRUE THAT ALCOHOL IS METABOLIZE 1 DRINK PER HOUR
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (7 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
It is true but at higher concentration only

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.

At higher concentration it follows xero order kinetics and almost one drink is metabolized every hour.
But with decreased concentration there is first order kinetics in which metabolism is dependent on concentration. At a moment certain percentage of alcohol is metabolized and there is delay in clearance of alcohol after few hours of last dose.

It is typically said that within 12 hours most of the alcohol clears remains from the body but there is plateau in metabolism resulting in detection of alcohol in body for upto three days.

"If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer.
Wish you good health".
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (10 minutes later)
I'M NOT SURE I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU MEAN BY CONCENTRATION
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (11 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
It depends on the number of drinks and concentration

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome back.

I am sorry that you did not get what I mean by concentration.

You might be aware that using the moderate sizes of drinks, a single drink increases the blood alcohol level of a 70 kg man by 15 to 20 mg/dL. So in case you took eight drinks your alcohol concentration will be around 120-160 mg/dl.

When the concentration is high the maximum capacity of body (15mg/hour) will be utilized to metabolize alcohol.

When the concentration goes below 50 mg/dl the metabolizing machinery do not get enough alcohol to metabolize resulting in under utilization. This under utilization progresses as the concentration of alcohol falls further.

When concentration reaches below 30 mg/dl body is able to metabolize only 5mg/hr or less.

I hope this clears your question.
thanks and regards
Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2000

Answered : 3355 Questions

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How Long Does Alcohol Stay In Body?

Brief Answer: within three days Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for using healthcaremagic. I read your query and understood your concerns. It will take less than three days to not to be detected in urine test provided you do not take another drink. In case you have urine test tomorrow or day after tomorrow it is likely that you will be tested negative for alcohol. 'Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help". Thanks