Smell Of Alcohol Comes Out From A Drunker's Breath. Reason?

Posted on Wed, 20 Feb 2013

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

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 Answered on

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : Sir how and why smell of Alcohol comes out from a drunker's breath? How long does it stays?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (33 minutes later)

Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The alcohol gets metabolized and is excreted through the air that is breathed out. This causes the smell of the breath alcoholic.
The time for which the smell in breath remains depends on the amount and concentration of alcohol consumed. Body metabolism, condition of liver, empty stomach etc are the other metabolic factors which can affect the duration of its excretion.
Hope this answers your query. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. RakhiTayal.

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (4 hours later)

Thank you Doctor for answering my question. But if you kindly detail your answer as regards the smell i.e. wheather it can last for more than 12 hours? And whether only for smell it can be said that someone is drunk ?
Doctor I am again disturbing you. Please let me know what is the quantum of Alcohol one must posses in his or her blood/body to be said that he/she is drunk?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (2 hours later)

Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
The smell in the breath can last for more than 12 hours if the person is heavily drunk.
A breath analyzer test is needed to say that a person is drunk. Usually it takes 4-5 standard drinks for a person to become drunk.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.

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