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How Long Does Wine Stay In The System?

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Posted on Wed, 4 Jun 2014
Question: I have been picked up for dwi. I have to be put on a breathalizer in three days. Would like to have a glass of wine before then. How long does it stay in system?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Short half life, shouldnt be a problem but........

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking!
Ethanol, or ethyl alcohol, is one of the most abused substances in the world. It is found in many recreational substances in varying concentrations, including beer, wine, and hard liquors: whisky, rum, vodka, etc.It is quite a volatile substance and its half life is short of a few hours. So i guess you will not be under influence after 3 days for sure.
Unfortunately, to those desperate for alcohol and no access, methanol and ethylene glycol (found in antifreeze, windshield wiper fluid, etc) may be used as a surrogate with devastating consequences.

Ethanol, a water-soluble 2 carbon chain molecule (CH2CH3OH), is absorbed primarily in the small intestine and secondarily in the stomach. It is eliminated mostly by metabolism in the liver, with the remainder excreted through urine, exhaled breath, and sweat. The volume of distribution approximates total body water and accounts for rapid distribution.

More than 90% of ethanol is oxidized in the liver primarily by the enzymes alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). Metabolism at high alcohol concentrations follows zero order kinetics (independent of time and concentration of the drug). In the initial metabolic pathway, ADH breaks down alcohol into the toxic metabolite acetaldehyde. Small amounts of ADH are also found in other organs such as the stomach. This metabolite is further broken down to acetate by ALDH. Acetate is fed into the Krebs cycle and eventually broken down to water and carbon dioxide.

An estimate for blood alcohol level would be each ounce of whisky, 12 ounces of beer, or 5 ounces of wine raises blood alcohol level 15-25 mg/dL. Peak is reached anywhere between 30 minutes (if consumption in fasting state) to 3 hours after the last drink. Metabolism is anywhere from 10-30 mg/dL/hour and depends upon a multitude of factors, including liver size. The level of intoxication (and peak) is affected by age, gender, weight, presence of food in the stomach, number of drinks per hour, percentage of alcohol in the drink (proof), and the presence of other drugs that interact with the alcohol.In general, women have a higher peak than men partly due to the fact that women have a higher fat content (and lower total body water) than men. The smaller amount of ADH found in the stomach and, thus metabolism, may contribute to the sex-related differences in ethanol concentration as well.
Let me tell you the levels for the test positivity.
Negative: no alcohol detected
Lower limit of detection = 10 mg/dL
>80 mg/dL (>17.4 mmol/L) is considered positive for driving under the influence in most states
>300-400 mg/dL (65.1-86.8 mmol/L) potentially fatal

Now the Breathalyzer Indirectly measure BAC taken from expired air (alveoli). Ratio of breath alcohol to blood alcohol is 2100:1, meaning that 2100 mL of air will contain same amount of alcohol in 1 mL of blood.
In nt shell you won't be under influence from a wine 3 days after but it is not wise to use alcohol at all not to mention one DUI test.
I hope it helps. Dont forget to close the discussion please.
Regards
S Khan
Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 3613 Questions

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How Long Does Wine Stay In The System?

Brief Answer: Short half life, shouldnt be a problem but........ Detailed Answer: Thank you for asking! Ethanol, or ethyl alcohol, is one of the most abused substances in the world. It is found in many recreational substances in varying concentrations, including beer, wine, and hard liquors: whisky, rum, vodka, etc.It is quite a volatile substance and its half life is short of a few hours. So i guess you will not be under influence after 3 days for sure. Unfortunately, to those desperate for alcohol and no access, methanol and ethylene glycol (found in antifreeze, windshield wiper fluid, etc) may be used as a surrogate with devastating consequences. Ethanol, a water-soluble 2 carbon chain molecule (CH2CH3OH), is absorbed primarily in the small intestine and secondarily in the stomach. It is eliminated mostly by metabolism in the liver, with the remainder excreted through urine, exhaled breath, and sweat. The volume of distribution approximates total body water and accounts for rapid distribution. More than 90% of ethanol is oxidized in the liver primarily by the enzymes alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). Metabolism at high alcohol concentrations follows zero order kinetics (independent of time and concentration of the drug). In the initial metabolic pathway, ADH breaks down alcohol into the toxic metabolite acetaldehyde. Small amounts of ADH are also found in other organs such as the stomach. This metabolite is further broken down to acetate by ALDH. Acetate is fed into the Krebs cycle and eventually broken down to water and carbon dioxide. An estimate for blood alcohol level would be each ounce of whisky, 12 ounces of beer, or 5 ounces of wine raises blood alcohol level 15-25 mg/dL. Peak is reached anywhere between 30 minutes (if consumption in fasting state) to 3 hours after the last drink. Metabolism is anywhere from 10-30 mg/dL/hour and depends upon a multitude of factors, including liver size. The level of intoxication (and peak) is affected by age, gender, weight, presence of food in the stomach, number of drinks per hour, percentage of alcohol in the drink (proof), and the presence of other drugs that interact with the alcohol.In general, women have a higher peak than men partly due to the fact that women have a higher fat content (and lower total body water) than men. The smaller amount of ADH found in the stomach and, thus metabolism, may contribute to the sex-related differences in ethanol concentration as well. Let me tell you the levels for the test positivity. Negative: no alcohol detected Lower limit of detection = 10 mg/dL >80 mg/dL (>17.4 mmol/L) is considered positive for driving under the influence in most states >300-400 mg/dL (65.1-86.8 mmol/L) potentially fatal Now the Breathalyzer Indirectly measure BAC taken from expired air (alveoli). Ratio of breath alcohol to blood alcohol is 2100:1, meaning that 2100 mL of air will contain same amount of alcohol in 1 mL of blood. In nt shell you won't be under influence from a wine 3 days after but it is not wise to use alcohol at all not to mention one DUI test. I hope it helps. Dont forget to close the discussion please. Regards S Khan