This brings us to a common misunderstanding – what exactly is a “standard drink?” It generally processes the equivalent of one standard alcoholic drink every hour. But just like any other organ, the liver has its limits. Most of the alcohol that enters your bloodstream eventually makes a stop in the liver-which is mandated with the noble responsibility of metabolizing alcohol. 08%, your motor skills and sense of balance are often impaired-and driving at/past this level of blood-alcohol concentration is deemed a crime in the U.S.). The negative effects of alcohol increase the more your drink. Typically, an ounce of alcohol equates to a BAC of. ( PS: BAC is a percentage measurement of the amount of alcohol in the blood. This leads to life-threatening alcohol poisoning. In extreme cases-especially after binge drinking-the amount of alcohol in your system may be high enough to negatively impact crucial body functions such as heart rate and breathing. Euphoria-increased confidence and chattiness.Depending on your BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration), signs of intoxication may include: From there, alcohol-which is a depressant-is carried to the brain and nervous system, where it impairs several body functions. The remaining 80% moves down the digestive tract and is absorbed in the small intestines. What happens when you down a shot of vodka on a night out or when you take a sip of wine in the evening?Īs your alcoholic beverage trickles down your food pipe into the stomach, around 20% of the alcohol directly enters your bloodstream through the stomach. The first step to understanding how long alcohol stays in your urine is learning how your body processes alcohol. So, what is the truth? How long does alcohol stay in your system / urine before it can’t be detected anymore? How is Alcohol Metabolized in the Body? If you consume alcohol, then at some point in time you’ve probably asked the question – how long does alcohol stay in your system? Or more specifically, how long does alcohol stay in your urine?