Summary: For most people, being drunk typically lasts 3-6 hours from peak intoxication, with lingering effects possibly continuing for up to 24 hours. The exact duration depends on multiple factors including how much you drink, your body weight, biological sex, food consumption, and individual metabolism. Your liver processes approximately one standard drink per hour, which means alcohol's effects diminish gradually at a predictable rate1.
Understanding how long alcohol affects your system is crucial for making responsible decisions, especially when it comes to driving. If you're curious about how BAC calculators work to estimate your blood alcohol concentration, these tools can help you better understand your impairment level at any given time.
Drunk Timeline: Hour-by-Hour Breakdown
The average person experiences intoxication following this general timeline:
| Time After Drinking | Stage | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| 15-30 minutes | Initial effects | Warmth, relaxation, mild mood elevation |
| 30-60 minutes | Rising BAC | Increased confidence, reduced inhibitions |
| 1-3 hours | Peak intoxication | Impaired coordination, judgment, and reaction time |
| 3-6 hours | Declining intoxication | Gradual reduction in symptoms as liver processes alcohol |
| 6-24 hours | Lingering effects/hangover | Fatigue, headache, dehydration |
The answer to "how long does being drunk last?" is typically 3-6 hours from peak intoxication, though effects can persist longer depending on various factors.
6 Factors That Determine How Long You Stay Drunk
1. Amount of Alcohol Consumed
The more alcohol you drink, the longer you'll remain intoxicated. Your liver can only process approximately one standard drink per hour2:
- 12 oz beer (5% ABV) = 1 standard drink
- 5 oz wine (12% ABV) = 1 standard drink
- 1.5 oz liquor (40% ABV) = 1 standard drink
Example: Consuming 4 drinks means approximately 4 hours until the alcohol is fully metabolized.
It's important to note that even after alcohol is metabolized, you may still face legal consequences if you were caught driving while impaired. Understanding the potential jail time and legal penalties for drunk driving can help emphasize why it's crucial to wait until you're completely sober before getting behind the wheel.
2. Body Weight and Composition
- Lower body weight = higher blood alcohol concentration (BAC) = longer intoxication
- Higher body fat percentage = extended intoxication time (fat cells don't absorb alcohol)
- More muscle tissue = more water to dilute alcohol = potentially shorter duration
Example: A 120-pound person will typically stay drunk significantly longer than a 200-pound person consuming the same amount of alcohol.
3. Biological Sex
Women generally stay drunk longer than men of the same weight because:
- Less body water to dilute alcohol (approximately 55% vs. 68% in men)
- Lower levels of alcohol dehydrogenase (the enzyme that breaks down alcohol)
- Hormonal differences affecting metabolism
Research fact: Studies show women typically reach BAC levels 25-30% higher than men of the same weight consuming identical amounts of alcohol.
4. Food Consumption
- Drinking on an empty stomach = faster absorption = quicker intoxication
- High-protein and fatty foods slow absorption most effectively
- Food before drinking is more effective than food after drinking has begun
Timing matters: Eating a substantial meal 1-2 hours before drinking can reduce peak BAC by up to 20%.
5. Metabolism and Genetics
- Some people naturally process alcohol faster due to genetic variations
- Enzyme differences can create up to 40% variation in alcohol processing speed
- Age also affects metabolism (typically slower with increasing age)
Genetic fact: Approximately 8% of people of European descent and up to 50% of people of Asian descent have variations in the ALDH2 gene that affect alcohol metabolism.
6. Medications and Health Conditions
- Certain medications can slow alcohol metabolism
- Liver conditions significantly extend intoxication duration
- Medications affecting liver function can prolong alcohol's effects
Medical note: Always check medication warnings about alcohol interactions, as some combinations can be dangerous or significantly alter how long you stay intoxicated.
Sobering Up: Myths vs. Facts
What Actually Works:
- Hydration - Alternate alcoholic drinks with water to prevent dehydration and reduce hangover severity
- Rest - Give your body time to process the alcohol
- Food - Eating can help stabilize blood sugar and reduce nausea
- Time - The only guaranteed method (approximately 1 hour per standard drink)
Common Myths That Don't Work:
- Coffee myth - Caffeine won't make you sober, just a more alert drunk person
- Cold shower myth - May increase alertness but doesn't affect BAC
- Exercise myth - Only eliminates approximately 2% of alcohol through sweat
- "Hair of the dog" myth - Additional alcohol only delays the inevitable
Alcohol Metabolism: How Your Body Processes Alcohol
Your body processes alcohol through these four steps:
- Absorption - Primarily in the small intestine (80%) and some in the stomach (20%)
- Distribution - Via bloodstream throughout the body (reaching brain in 5-10 minutes)
- Metabolism - 90% processed by the liver at a fixed rate through these enzymes:
- Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) converts alcohol to acetaldehyde
- Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) converts acetaldehyde to acetic acid
- Acetic acid is further broken down into carbon dioxide and water
- Elimination - Through urine (10%), sweat (2%), and breath (2-5%)
Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Levels and Effects
Your blood alcohol concentration directly correlates with how drunk you feel and how long the effects last3:
| BAC Level | Effects | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 0.01-0.03% | Subtle effects, slightly relaxed | 1-2 hours |
| 0.04-0.06% | Warm, relaxed, minor judgment impairment | 2-3 hours |
| 0.07-0.09% | Impaired coordination and reaction time | 3-4 hours |
| 0.10-0.12% | Significant impairment, slurred speech | 4-5 hours |
| 0.13-0.15% | Major balance issues, vomiting possible | 5-6 hours |
| 0.16-0.19% | Severe impairment, nausea, dysphoria | 6-10 hours |
| 0.20-0.24% | Disorientation, blackouts possible | 10-12 hours |
| 0.25%+ | Alcohol poisoning risk, unconsciousness | 12+ hours |
The Hangover Timeline
A hangover typically follows this pattern:
- Onset: 8-12 hours after drinking begins (often upon waking)
- Peak intensity: 12-24 hours after drinking begins
- Duration: 24-72 hours depending on severity
Hangovers are caused by multiple factors:
- Dehydration from alcohol's diuretic effect
- Inflammatory response to alcohol and its metabolites
- Low blood sugar from impaired glucose regulation
- Disrupted sleep patterns reducing sleep quality
- Congeners (impurities) in darker alcohols causing worse symptoms
Special Considerations and Factors
Age Differences
- Young adults (21-25): Process alcohol most efficiently
- Middle-aged adults (40-60): 10-15% slower metabolism
- Older adults (65+): Up to 50% slower alcohol processing
Tolerance Effects
Regular drinkers may develop tolerance:
- Metabolic tolerance: Liver becomes more efficient at processing alcohol
- Functional tolerance: Brain adapts to alcohol's effects
- Important: Tolerance reduces noticeable symptoms but doesn't significantly change BAC elimination rate
Drinking Patterns
- Binge drinking (4+ drinks in 2 hours) creates higher peak BAC
- Sustained drinking overwhelms the liver's ability to process alcohol
- Drinking slowly allows more time for metabolism between drinks
Staying Safe
To minimize risks associated with alcohol consumption:
- Plan ahead for transportation (designated driver, rideshare)
- Pace yourself by drinking water between alcoholic beverages
- Eat before and during alcohol consumption
- Count your drinks and know your personal limits
- Wait sufficient time before driving or operating machinery
- Use BACDrunk.com to estimate your BAC
The duration of alcohol's effects depends on multiple personal factors, but generally follows a predictable timeline based on how much you drink. For most people, the feeling of being drunk lasts 3-6 hours from peak intoxication, with complete sobriety requiring approximately one hour per standard drink consumed.
Understanding your body's relationship with alcohol can help you make responsible decisions. Tools like BACDrunk.com can provide useful estimates, but the safest approach is always to separate drinking from any activities that require full sobriety, especially driving.
The tragic consequences of misjudging your sobriety level extend far beyond personal harm. Every year, thousands of people die in drunk driving accidents, many of which could have been prevented by simply waiting longer before driving or choosing alternative transportation.