Blood alcohol concentration (BAC), or the amount of alcohol in your blood, is determined through urine testing, breathalyzer tests, and by testing samples of saliva, hair, and urine.
Blood tests that search for alcohol are able to do so only for a maximum length of six to eight hours, due to how fast the metabolism processes alcohol.
Learn more about alcohol detection.
Alcohol Detection Times In The Blood
Alcohol can only be detected in the blood for up to eight hours because the circulatory system processes and replenishes blood cells every 24 hours.
Because of this, lower blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) can be phased out of the bloodstream in less than eight hours, making blood testing only a temporary type of test.
Factors That Contribute To The Detection Time Of Alcohol
There are a number of factors that can alter the amount of time alcohol is detected in the bloodstream.
Factors which may alter detection times include:
- a person’s height and weight
- the amount of alcohol consumed
- the length of time since the person’s last drink
- if the level of alcohol consumption occurred at the same time that food was consumed
- preexisting alcohol tolerance
Other Methods Of Detecting Alcohol In The Body
There are a number of other tests that can detect blood alcohol levels aside from intravenous sampling.
One of the longest-lasting tests is a hair test. Traces of ethanol can be discovered up to 90 days after the last time the person was drinking alcohol.
Another method of testing, most commonly employed by law enforcement, is breath tests. These types of breathalyzer tests can detect alcohol up to 24 hours after consumption.
Alcohol Metabolites And Other Enzymes
Some testing methods are able to detect organic matter enzymes, such as ethyl glucuronide (EtG).
These more novel tests are fittingly called EtG tests and can detect this enzyme in urine for up to 72 hours.
Find out more about alcohol urine testing.
Dangers Of Drinking Too Much Alcohol
Exceeding standard drink recommendations can lead to alcohol abuse and, eventually, addiction—neither of which is beneficial for the body or mind.
Drinking too much alcohol on an empty stomach, for instance, can lead to alcohol poisoning.
This can lead to severely impaired cognitive function, high blood pressure, respiratory problems, and even coma.
The small intestine and liver can also be severely damaged from excessive alcohol consumption, as it begins to lose its effectiveness at processing ethanol.
Health Risks Of Alcohol Addiction
There are a variety of dangerous risks that stem from heavy binge drinking and prolonged alcohol use, including both physical and mental health conditions.
For example, people accustomed to heavy drinking on a regular basis can cause an imbalance in the production of stress chemicals and hormones in the brain.
Treatment Options For Alcohol Abuse
There are many treatment options available at rehab centers to treat alcohol use disorders.
Some of these programs and services include:
- inpatient and outpatient treatment
- partial hospitalization
- medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
- alcohol detox
- residential treatment programs
- substance abuse educational programs
Learn more about rehab programs for alcohol addiction.
Find Alcohol Addiction Treatment Services At Bedrock Recovery Center
If you or a loved one is experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms as a result of alcohol abuse, give our free helpline a call today to discuss enrollment at Bedrock Recovery Center.
We provide intensive treatment options, such as residential rehab programs, to help you find lasting addiction recovery.
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) — Alcohol Abuse Statistics https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/alcohol-facts-and-statistics#:~:text=Prevalence%20of%20Drinking%3A%20According%20to,in%20this%20age%20group%20and
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) — Treatment Locator https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/
