The liver processes alcohol at a fixed rate of approximately 0.015 BAC per hour (about one standard drink per hour). This means a BAC of 0.08 takes roughly 5.3 hours to reach zero. However, alcohol metabolites like ethyl glucuronide (EtG) can be detected in urine for 48–80 hours after the last drink, well beyond the point where you feel sober.
A standard drink contains approximately 14 grams of pure alcohol: 12oz beer (5%), 5oz wine (12%), or 1.5oz spirits (40%). Your BAC depends on how many standard drinks you've consumed, your body weight, biological sex, food intake, and drinking speed.
EtG (ethyl glucuronide) urine tests are far more sensitive than traditional alcohol tests and can detect consumption for 48–80 hours. These tests are commonly used in court-ordered monitoring, probation, and professional licensing programs.
Factors that affect alcohol metabolism: liver health, genetic enzyme variations (ADH and ALDH), food consumption, medications, age, and overall health. Women typically metabolize alcohol more slowly due to lower body water content and different enzyme activity.
BAC Decline Rate
BAC = (Drinks × 0.06) / (Weight in kg × 0.7) − (0.015 × Hours)
BAC starts declining once the liver begins processing. The fixed elimination rate of ~0.015/hour means heavier drinking requires proportionally longer to reach zero BAC.
A 75kg male drinks 5 beers over 3 hours.
Result: BAC returns to zero approximately 4–5 hours after the last drink. However, EtG urine tests can detect this consumption for 2–3 days. Full hangover recovery: 24–48 hours.
Traditional tests: 12–48 hours. EtG tests: 48–80 hours for moderate drinking. Heavy drinking can be detected via EtG for up to 5 days.
The liver processes approximately one standard drink per hour (0.015 BAC per hour). This rate is relatively fixed — coffee, cold showers, and exercise do not speed it up.
Yes. If you had 8+ drinks, your BAC may still be above 0.08 the next morning. A BAC of 0.12 takes 8 hours to reach zero. Many DUI arrests occur the morning after heavy drinking.