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Estimating How Long Alcohol Stays in Your System

Posted by Raymond Kimble | Jun 25, 2019 | 0 Comments

As 4th of July and the summer approaches, many people who attend parties, barbecues, nightclubs and restaurants should keep in mind how much alcohol they consume and whether they might be above Arizona's legal limit of .08% when they decide to drive home.  People often attempt to "space" their drinks or alternatively, stop drinking for a period of time before driving to avoid being stopped and arrested for DUI.

Metabolizing Alcohol by the Body

Once alcohol is consumed, it passes through the digestive system and is mainly absorbed into the blood stream through the tissue lining of a person's stomach and small intestine.   After alcohol reaches the blood stream, it is carried throughout the body and ultimately reaches the brain.  On average, a person will feel the effects of a drink within fifteen to forty-five minutes after it is consumed.  However, many factors can affect the absorption of alcohol including:

  • the presence of food in the stomach
  • the type of drink consumed
  • whether drinks are consumed close in time - "binge drinking"
  • whether alcohol is mixed with soda, juice, etc.

Most experts agree that people are impaired to drive an automobile at an alcohol concentration as low as .04%.  Significant driving impairment will occur at .07% to .08% and people who have minimal tolerance to alcohol will display signs of intoxication at around .10%. Signs of impairment might include:

  • lower inhibitions
  • decreased fine motor skills
  • decreased large motor skills
  • difficulty concentrating
  • slurred speech
  • impaired coordination.

Generally, three to four standard drinks within a one hour period will result in a person being above the legal limit to drive a vehicle.

Eliminating Alcohol from Your System

Alcohol is primarily broken down by the liver but a very small portion can be secreted through sweat, breath or urine.  The general rule is that the body can eliminate one standard drink per hour from its system.  A standard drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits such as vodka, gin or scotch.  Factors which might effect the time intakes for alcohol to be eliminated from your body include:

  • a persons age and weight
  • a persons gender
  • whether there is food consumed with the alcohol
  • a persons specific metabolism
  • medications
  • the type of alcohol consumed

Alcohol is detectable for up to 6 hours in blood; about 12-24 hours in breath, urine, and saliva; and up to 90 days in hair.

CALL (480) 833-8613 TO GET HELP NOW

 
 
If you, a family member or friend has been arrested for a DUI offense in Arizona, it is important that you immediately begin working with a qualified DUI attorney who can effectively represent you in the court of law and take necessary steps to protect your driver's license. Attorney Raymond Kimble is a former police officer, DUI and felony prosecutor and has represented thousands of people charged with DUI in Tempe, Mesa, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Chandler, Phoenix and other cities throughout Maricopa and Pinal Counties over the last twenty years. Ray Kimble  will have a clear understanding of all the circumstances in your case, along with the knowledge, skill and experience to protect your drivers license and achieve the best possible outcome for you.

About the Author

Raymond Kimble

About Raymond Kimble Attorney Raymond Kimble has built his law practice on the philosophy that each client deserves consistent individual attention. Ray realizes that being charged with a DUI or criminal offense is one of the most stressful events in a person's life. A DUI, felony or misdemeanor arrest can involve prison or jail time, probation, huge fines and a criminal record. Consequently, people who face DUI, felony or misdemeanor charges in Arizona are placed at risk of losing employment or being barred from future job opportunities. Ray works to lessen his client's anxiety by ensuring that they have direct access to him at all times and can reach him by e-mail, cell phone or text during normal business hours as well as nights or weekends if they have a pressing question or concern. Raymond Kimble is a dedicated DUI and criminal defense lawyer who has built a reputation of working tirelessly to protect his client's constitutional rights, their future and liberty. Ray strives to provide the strongest defense possible for each client despite the obstacles they may face. Put Experience to Work for You Raymond Kimble's twenty years of experience with respect to DUI, misdemeanor and felony criminal charges extends well beyond law school where he graduated within the top ten percent of his class. Ray was a police officer for ten years prior to becoming an attorney. As a police officer, Ray was trained in both DUI and criminal investigation and his personal involvement in criminal cases while a police officer certainly gives him a unique perspective when reviewing police reports, interviewing witnesses and challenging physical evidence. Ray often identifies legal issues or mistakes made by police during an investigation through his own personal experience as a patrol officer. In addition to his police experience, Raymond Kimble worked as a prosecutor with the Maricopa County Attorney's Office where he was responsible for prosecuting DUI, felony and misdemeanor crimes. During his tenure as a prosecutor, Ray conducted a number of jury trials and hearings related to the admissibility of evidence. Through his involvement with these cases as a prosecutor, Ray learned how to properly evaluate the strength and weaknesses of a DUI, misdemeanor or felony charge and became skilled in jury selection, argument, and the direct and cross examination of both civilian witnesses, experts and police officers. Of course, Raymond Kimble's expertise extends beyond his experience as a police officer and prosecutor. Specifically, Ray has successfully represented thousands of people during the last fifteen years throughout Maricopa County, Arizona. To best serve his Clients, Raymond remains current on changes in the law as well as police tactics by regularly attending seminars focused on defending criminal charges and reading the latest articles and books related to DUI and criminal defense. Ray also regularly writes criminal defense blogs and posts so that people faced with a criminal charge are better informed about their rights.

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