Did you know alcohol requires little to no actual digestion? As soon as you drink liquor, 20% of the alcohol content is absorbed by small blood vessels in the stomach, and the remaining 80% is absorbed in the small intestine. With this in mind, you might want to make sure all traces of alcohol have left your system before signing up for an alcohol lab test.

Below are some important insights on how long this substance stays in your system:

• Urine: Alcohol can stay in your urine for 12 to 36 hours, depending on the amount and type of food and beverages you ingest during that period. One pint of beer, for instance, requires two hours to be broken down. However, eating will delay this because stomach enzymes tend to focus on digesting food first. The body will start to excrete alcohol through urination within 20 to 25 minutes of alcohol consumption.
• Blood: Upon reaching the stomach, alcohol begins to move into small blood vessels that travel throughout your body. Your bloodstream will then carry it to the liver, where it is metabolized. On average, the liver can process one ounce of alcohol in one hour, which produces a 0.015 blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in most people. The legal limit for driving, which is at the 0.08 level, can take up to 5.5 hours to leave the system.
• Breath: Once alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream, 10% leaves through breath, perspiration, and urine. A breathalyzer device is used to measure the blood alcohol content through exhaled air. Since 0.015 of blood alcohol concentration is metabolized per hour, an alcohol level of 0.20 can take up to 13 hours to leave your system, which means it can also stay in your breath for that long.   

Whether you need an alcohol lab test for employment or DOT physical exam, Artesia Drug and Alcohol Screening is ready to serve your needs. Located in Artesia, NM, they specialize in a wide range of testing evaluations, from drug testing to medication efficacy. They also offer DNA and paternity testing. Call them at (575) 746-3404 or visit their website for more information on alcohol lab test procedures.