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How Long Does Alcohol Stay In Your System? – Breathalyzer Test Risks

In general, alcohol can be detected for 12 to 24 hours on your breath, depending on the type of test conducted.
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C.L. Mike Schmidt Published by C.L. Mike Schmidt

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How Does a Breathalyzer Work?

Most breathalyzers use one of the following technologies to detect Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) in a person's blood:

  • Semiconductor oxide-based testers - Utilize an ethanol-specific sensor to measure the subject's BAC. Semiconductor sensor technology involves a tin-oxide material for personal, home, and low-volume professional testing.
  • Fuel cell testers - Measure alcohol content by creating a chemical reaction that oxidizes the alcohol in the breath sample and produces an electrical current. The more alcohol that is oxidized, the greater the current.
  • Infrared spectrometry - Used in large, table-top breathalyzers typically found in police stations. These devices work by identifying molecules based on the way they absorb infrared light. The level of ethanol in a sample is singled out and measured, and a subject's alcohol level can then be determined.

Related Article: What is Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)?

How Do You Sober Up to Pass a Breathalyzer?

Unfortunately, there's no shortcut to sober up once alcohol is in the bloodstream. The only way to sober up is to wait for the alcohol to metabolize. However, the body can only process a limited amount of alcohol per hour. Meaning if someone takes four shots of liquor in a row, those drinks enter their bloodstream one at a time.

What Can Throw Off a Breathalyzer?

The following medications and substances have been found to cause false positives for BAC in breath testing:

  • Asthma medications
  • Nyquil and OTC medications with alcohol
  • Anbesol in Oral Gels
  • Mouthwash and Breath Spray
  • Fumes
  • Gastroesophageal Acid Reflux
  • Ketones

Will I Pass a Breathalyzer After 10 Hours?

Breathalyzers can generally test positive for alcohol up to 12 hours after a person consumes one alcoholic beverage. If your BAC is 0.08, it will take about 5 hours to metabolize the alcohol completely before you are sober again.

Related Article: BAC After One Beer?

Does Eating Help Lower BAC?

Eating food, either before or while drinking, slows the absorption rate of alcohol. Slower rates mean that less alcohol enters a person's bloodstream (compared to someone who does not eat while drinking). This reduction of alcohol in the blood translates into reduced levels of blood alcohol concentration.

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FAQs

1. How Quickly Does the Body Process Alcohol?

The liver processes approximately one standard drink per hour.

2. Can Hydration Help Eliminate Alcohol from the System Faster?

Hydration can help alleviate some symptoms of intoxication but does not significantly speed up the elimination of alcohol.

3. How Does Food Intake Affect Alcohol Absorption?

Eating food, especially high-protein foods, can slow down the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream.

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