The typical rate at which alcohol leaves the body is around 0.1 ppm per hour, according to Andrey Bolonkin, a psychiatrist-narcologist from Zdravnitsa professional treatment and rehabilitation center. To judge whether driving is possible, one must multiply the volume of the drink by its strength in liters.
For instance, if a person drinks 0.5 liters of strong alcohol in the evening, the calculation looks like this: 40×0.5 = 20. In about 20 hours, alcohol should be gone from the system. Sobriety, in this scenario, would be reached by the evening of the following day.
It is important to note that alcohol clearance rates vary among individuals due to factors such as weight, health status, and gender. Bolonkin pointed out that women tend to metabolize alcohol more slowly, while heavier individuals may process it more slowly or more quickly depending on body composition.
Different beverages leave the body at different rates. Beer, for example, enters the bloodstream quickly but exits more slowly than hard liquor. A half-liter of beer at 4% alcohol content may clear a man’s system in roughly 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on body mass. In women, this window can extend by about an additional hour, the narcologist noted.
About 100 ml of sparkling wine may completely clear from the body of a healthy man weighing 80–90 kg in roughly 50 minutes. The estimate tends to be higher for women, who may need more than two hours to fully metabolize the ethanol contained in 100 ml of champagne.
From this perspective, a bottle of wine will require a waiting period of at least eight hours before driving. If a person drinks 500 ml of 18% wine, a person of average weight should wait for at least ten hours. If the same amount of wine was consumed the previous day, using public transportation the next day is advisable, Bolonkin explained.
It all depends on the kidneys and liver.
For an average-weight man who drinks strong spirits such as vodka, approximately 20–25 grams of alcohol are metabolized per hour, according to Dmitry Movchan, deputy chief physician of the Marshak Clinic’s medical department.
When a driver must travel the morning after a feast, it is safer to avoid beverages stronger than champagne (up to 16% alcohol). “First, keep drinks no stronger than champagne. Lighter intake makes the metabolic load easier. The body uses more energy to process alcohol the longer it stays in the system. Certain illnesses, especially kidney or liver disease, can slow this process,” Movchan noted.
For calculations, drivers can consult forensic expert tables to estimate the elimination time of alcohol. A well-known clinician, Alexander Kovtun, noted online, offered guidance in an interview, explaining how to input the drink’s strength, body weight, water and food intake, and how data show when alcohol concentration drops by 50% and is fully excreted. He also mentioned that motor activity can influence the pace of metabolism.
hard morning
Andrey Bolonkin, a psychiatrist-narcologist, stressed that certain liquids can speed up alcohol elimination. Water, in particular, helps due to its diuretic effect, speeding clearance and helping one feel better the next day.
He added that drinking at least 0.5 liters of water after alcohol can be beneficial. Coffee and tea may also have a modest impact because caffeine can speed metabolic processes slightly.
Fats play a role too. Foods rich in fat—such as meat, dairy, lard, and vegetable oils—can somewhat reduce alcohol absorption by coating parts of the stomach and intestines. In short, a light snack can make a difference.
without energy drinks
Movchan advised against fatty foods during celebrations because fat slows alcohol processing. He cited fats like butter, sour cream, mayonnaise, and fatty meats as examples to avoid. Smoking is also not recommended during alcohol consumption.
Carbohydrates combined with carbonated water can aid the breakdown of ethanol. Some drivers reach for energy drinks after a night out, hoping to speed recovery, but Movchan warned that these drinks are not a cure. They can contain high caffeine levels, which act as a diuretic and may worsen dehydration and element loss.
Movchan also reminded readers that some people purchase over-the-counter products marketed to fight hangovers or purge alcohol from the body. He stressed that these products lack proven effectiveness and are not a reliable solution.
Ultimately, for anyone waking up with plans to drive, the safest approach is to minimize the amount of alcohol consumed the night before.
illegal raids
As the year-end holidays approach, traffic police increasingly conduct roadside stops. Officers may require drivers to undergo a quick sobriety check at the scene or direct them to a mobile medical unit, noted Viktor Travin, chair of the Board of Car Owners’ Legal Protection. He emphasized that an on-site clearance is not always warranted if there are no signs of intoxication, but it can occur in practice due to enforcement pressures.
Lawyers warn that inspectors should focus on drivers showing signs of intoxication and should use breathalyzers at the scene. Travin recalled common signs of ethanol poisoning such as unsteady gait, a strong odor of alcohol, flushed skin, and inappropriate behavior. In such cases, a protocol suspending driving rights may be issued, and the driver may be asked to blow into a breath tube with or without witnesses or video. Refusal can prompt a move to a medical examination, either at a mobile station or a narcologist facility.
There are concerns that some inspectors do not fully follow sobriety-check procedures. Video coverage may be incomplete, and drivers may not be clearly informed of their rights and obligations or the consequences of refusing medical examination. Some officers seek to extend or simplify procedures by using personal devices or certain incentives, which raises questions about legality and fairness.
Officials highlight that the same responsibility applies to drunk driving, with penalties including fines and potential loss of driving privileges. Drivers should approach stops calmly and avoid arguing or delaying the process, since a refusal to participate can lead to further action. Experts emphasize that drivers deserve clear explanations of their rights and the steps ahead, and they should be aware of the rights and procedures involved in medical checks after a suspected intoxication incident.
Authorities remind drivers that the process aims to ensure safety on the road and that proper adherence to legal procedures protects both the public and the individual involved.