Alcohol Metabolism Calculator
Understand how the human body clears alcohol over time. Based on standard zero-order hepatic elimination models, this educational tool projects hourly decay curves and demonstrates why biological time is the only remedy for intoxication.
| Time Elapsed | Average Est. | Conservative Range |
|---|---|---|
| Now (Peak) | 0.080% | 0.080% – 0.080% |
| +1 hr | 0.065% | 0.060% – 0.068% |
| +2 hrs | 0.050% | 0.040% – 0.056% |
| +3 hrs | 0.035% | 0.020% – 0.044% |
| +4 hrs | 0.020% | 0.000% – 0.032% |
| +5 hrs | 0.005% | 0.000% – 0.020% |
| +6 hrs | 0.000% | 0.000% – 0.008% |
| +7 hrs | 0.000% | 0.000% – 0.000% |
The Biology of Hepatic Alcohol Elimination
1. Alcohol Dehydrogenase (ADH)
More than 90% of ingested ethanol is metabolized in the liver by the ADH enzyme family, which converts ethanol into acetaldehyde (a toxic intermediate). This enzyme system reaches maximum catalytic capacity at minimal alcohol concentrations.
2. Acetaldehyde Dehydrogenase (ALDH)
In the liver mitochondria, ALDH rapidly converts toxic acetaldehyde into harmless acetate, which is eventually broken down into carbon dioxide and water. Genetic variations in ALDH (common in East Asian populations) can lead to facial flushing and elevated toxicity.
3. Excretion Routes (Breath, Urine, Sweat)
Less than 5% to 10% of ingested alcohol is excreted unchanged through expired alveolar breath, kidneys (urine), and sweat glands. This minute fraction is what allows breathalyzer sensors to detect ethanol in breath air.