How Long Does It Take Alcohol To Leave Your System

Approximately 1 million people were arrested in 2019 for driving while under the influence. This can come both from the lowered reaction time and reasoning that comes with alcohol consumption. This can also come from people not being aware of how long alcohol stays in your body. So how long does it take for alcohol to leave your system? 

We believe in the importance of offering educational information that’s easily accessible to the members of our community. Here at SUN Behavioral Health Kentucky, we like to offer help to everyone in our community, not just those who’ve been our patients.

Alcohol and Physical Health

Alcohol impacts many parts of the body as a whole. Depressants alter the central nervous system, and alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream. Overall, this means its reach regarding side effects is much larger than some might anticipate. 

The body becomes more affected by the consumption of alcohol the more you drink it. This can mean both in one sitting and overtime. With excess consumption comes the risk of damage to your heart, brain, liver, pancreas, muscles, oral cavity, and even bone structure. Alcohol use is tied to an increased risk of strokes, high blood pressure, pancreatitis, reduced bone density, irregular heartbeat (known as arrhythmias), and the stretching and drooping of heart muscles (cardiomyopathy). 

Effects on the Stomach

The digestive system, in particular, can be affected by alcohol use as this is the method of consumption for alcohol. Over time, you run an increased risk for oral cancers and colorectal cancer. Your gastrointestinal tract also runs the risk of developing two other conditions.

• Gut leakiness – This occurs when the gut lining develops cracks or holes. This lets many particles like partially digested foods, toxins, and harmful bacteria into the tissue underneath. This can lead to inflammation in the gut which can lead to future digestive problems.
• Microbial dysbiosis – This occurs when important bacteria within the body are killed off over time, especially in specific locations of the body. This can lead to an increased risk of disease or infection.

Effects on the Liver

Your liver is the part of the body that processes toxins that pass through the body. This includes medications you take and substances like alcohol that enter the body. When you drink often, or faster than your liver can process, this can slowly damage your liver over time. 

• Steatosis - this is caused by excess fat building up within the liver. This can make it become inflamed over time, damaging the tissue and potentially causing scarring as well. This is normally the first damage that occurs to those who drink often.
• Fibrosis - This can develop from the scarring caused by steatosis, or anything that causes continuous damage to the liver, resulting in a build-up of protein within the liver. If this continues to worsen, it can lead to cirrhosis.
• Cirrhosis - This is a condition defined by a heavily scarred and damaged liver. This means your liver cannot process and work properly. If cirrhosis is left untreated and is given the environment to worsen, this can result in liver failure.
• Alcoholic hepatitis - This condition can be temporary, induced by overconsumption of alcohol. It can become chronic over time, however, and can permanently damage your liver. Sides of this condition include abdomen tenderness, weight loss, visibly swollen liver, nausea, jaundice, easy bruising, fever, and confusion. 

Many of the first symptoms of liver damage are subtle and some, like steatosis, aren’t easy to spot on their own. Liver damage can be stopped and, in some cases, even healed over time. If you start noticing strange symptoms, especially tenderness on your body near your liver, take it as a sign.

BAC Levels and Effects

Your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is the percent of alcohol within your bloodstream at a given moment. Your BAC is just as impacted by the list above, meaning you and your friend could drink the same amount of the same alcohol and still have a different BAC. 

Your BAC can be measured as soon as 30 minutes after your first drink. On average, your BAC will start at .01% and can only reach a maximum of .4% where, at this point, you could fall into a coma. Here’s a quick breakdown of BAC levels and what this means for you.

• .01-.03% - slight mood elevation, but otherwise no obvious signs of intoxication
• .04-.06% - you start to feel relaxed and warm. Your reasoning and memory are only slightly impaired.
• .07-.09% - Your speech, balance, vision, and overall control are mildly impacted. At this point, it’s illegal to drive.
• .10-.12% - Coordination and judgment are significantly impacted. Your speech may also be fairly slurred at this point.
• .13-.15% - Blurred vision and major loss of balance. Your motor control is majorly impacted. Other symptoms like anxiety and restlessness start to pop up.
• .16-.24% - Anxiety and restlessness persist. Nausea starts to become prevalent. 
• .25-.30% - This is considered to be severe intoxication. Many can’t walk much at all and experience high levels of confusion as well as amplified previous effects.
• .35-40% (and up) - At this point, you lose consciousness and can even fall into a coma. Respiratory failure can occur, leading to death.