How Long Does One Beer Stay In Your System?

Two of the most commonly asked questions concerning alcohol in the body include “How long does one beer stay in your system?” and “How long does alcohol stay in your blood?”. Some people ask these questions because they are about to have alcohol testing due to a job interview. Others ask because they are going to be enrolling in an alcohol detox program shortly. However, the answers to these questions vary depending on several factors such as how much alcohol a person had to drink during a period and how many drinks were consumed. In addition, it is important to know that alcohol remains in different areas of the body for different degrees of time. Let’s focus for a minute on the first question “How long does one beer stay in your system?”

How Long Does Beer Stay in Your System

The short answer to this question is that a functional, healthy liver can channel about one drink per hour. This means that if you have one drink it could remain in your system for about one hour. For example, if you finish your drink at 7:00 p.m., you will probably be in the clear around 8:00 p.m. You should remember though, if you have a second drink at 7:30 the alcohol will take more time to get out of your body. You will have to continue waiting until 8:00 p.m., plus add another hour for the second drink. This means you will remain intoxicated until 9:00 p.m. Remember, with every drink you lengthen the time the alcohol remains in your system.

There is a process in which your body clears alcohol from your system.Your body begins by breaking down the alcohol you consume first in the stomach, but only a little is broken down in there. Some alcohol flows into the small intestines to get absorbed into your bloodstream and some alcohol metabolizes in your liver. Then, it continues to be distributed throughout your entire body. Here is some information regarding how long alcohol stays in your system:

How long does alcohol stay in your urine – On average alcohol will remain in your body for 80 hours.
How long does alcohol stay in your hair follicles – Alcohol will stay in your hair for about three months.
How long does alcohol stay in your blood – It usually takes a liver one hour to process one drink. This means alcohol will stay in your blood for one hour after you finish one drink.
How long does it take for a person to sober up from drinking – There are many factors to determine how long it takes for a person to completely sober up after they consume any type of alcohol.

It is important to know that a person can become addicted to alcohol, even if they only start by having one beer. Many studies have shown that some people start by only having one drink, but they are still at a high risk of becoming addicted to alcohol. This means you should always be aware of the amount of alcohol you consume and how often you consume it.

How to Determine When You Have Had Too Much

It can be a little tough learning how to monitor your alcohol intake, especially since there is a lot of hearsay on how a person can sober up quickly. Many people believe they are qualified to drive after having a few drinks in a bar or at a party. However, this is hardly ever the truth. The fact is that alcohol stays in a person’s blood a whole lot longer than most people expect. So, let’s talk about what is meant by one drink.

What is Considered One Drink of Alcohol

There are many types of alcohol and each one has a different alcohol content in it. Beer, wine, and other spirits all contain different degrees of pure alcohol making it hard to answer the question what is considered one drink of alcohol. However, here are some examples of what is considered one drink of alcohol and the alcohol level within them.

12 fluid ounces of beer – usually contains about 5% alcohol
5 fluid ounces of wine – contains about 12% alcohol
One shot of vodka – typically contains 40% alcohol
One shot of gin – generally has a 40% alcohol content
One shot of rum – also generally has a 40% alcohol content

With this being said, not all bars make their mixed drinks the same, so determining how many drinks you are consuming becomes pretty difficult. However, many bars use a standardized method when it comes to mixing up their drinks. If you are going to drink, it is best to carefully track each drink you consume and call for a taxi if you are drinking.

Beer, wine, and other types of alcohol can last for quite some time in your system. These types of drinks can also be addictive. It is important to be aware of the amount of alcohol you consume not only for reasons of job interviews, but for medical reasons, as well. If you find yourself drinking excessively, counting the days till your next drink, it may be the perfect time to contact an alcohol rehab center and get help with your addiction now.

Medical disclaimer:

Sunshine Behavioral Health strives to help people who are facing substance use disorder, addiction, mental health disorders, or a combination of these conditions. It does this by providing compassionate care and evidence-based content that addresses health, treatment, and recovery.

Licensed medical professionals review material we publish on our site. The material is not a substitute for qualified medical diagnoses, treatment, or advice. It should not be used to replace the suggestions of your personal physician or other health care professionals.