How Long Does Alcohol Stay In Your System?

Posted on Thu, 10 Apr 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 10 Apr 2014 Answered on

Sat, 3 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, I was wondering how long does Alcohol stay in your system ( urine ) for a Drug Screen testing ?

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (6 hours later)

Brief Answer: Upto 80 hours Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for the query Alcohol per say stays in the body for 24 hours but urine alcohol tests may measure ethyl glucuronide, which can stay in urine for up to 80 hours. Ethyl glucuronide is a metobile of alcohol which stays in the body for longer I hope I was of help Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (8 hours later)

So if you took a drug screen test it would show a positive result even after 72 hours? Is there any way to speed it up from leaving your body ( drink more water ? )

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (21 hours later)

Brief Answer: Hello Detailed Answer: Thanks for getting back I am sorry for the short delay in my reply, I was on call at my hospital Yes, the urine test will show positive for alcohol even at 72 hours. You cannot speed up the excretion by drinking more water. There are no medications as well to speed up the excretion I hope I was of help regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar