Based on the provided reference from American Addiction Centers, alcohol can be detected in the blood for up to 12 hours.
While the exact rate at which alcohol is removed from the body can vary based on numerous factors (such as metabolism, weight, sex, and amount consumed), the reference indicates that alcohol is typically no longer detectable in blood after approximately 12 hours. This timeframe gives an idea of the duration over which the removal process occurs for the substance to clear from the bloodstream to undetectable levels.
Here is the information from the reference regarding how long alcohol stays in different body systems:
| Body System | Time in System |
|---|---|
| Blood | Up to 12 hours |
| Breath | 12-24 hours |
| Urine | 12-24 hours; 72 hours or more after heavier use |
| Saliva | Up to 12 hours |
Source: How Long Does Alcohol Stay in Your System?
This table shows that among the listed detection methods, blood and saliva have the shortest detection windows, while urine and breath can detect alcohol for longer periods. The "Up to 12 hours" for blood represents the typical maximum time alcohol remains present and detectable in the bloodstream.
It's important to note that these are general guidelines, and individual results can vary. However, according to this source, the process of alcohol removal from the blood renders it undetectable within approximately 12 hours.
