Exploring the Science of Sobriety from a Wellness Perspective When people ask, "how long does it take for alcohol to get out of your system?" , the usual answer is a number—typically 1 drink per hour. But this approach barely scratches the surface. Rather than focusing solely on time, let’s look at the human body as a detox machine , influenced by biology, hydration, mental state, and even sleep. This deeper understanding can help you approach alcohol detox not just as a clock countdown, but as a holistic process of healing and awareness. ⏳ What Happens After Your Last Drink? 🧬 After your last sip of alcohol, your body begins working immediately to process and eliminate it. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) , about 90% to 98% of alcohol is metabolized by the liver, and the rest exits through breath, sweat, and urine. The liver breaks down alcohol at an average rate of 0.015 Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) per hour. So if yo...