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The Science

Alcohol
Bell Curve.

How Alcohol Metabolizes in the Body

Follow the rise, peak, and decline of blood alcohol concentration over time — and the biology behind each phase.

Discover the Science
Understand the Curve

What happens after the first drink?

After a drink, BAC rises, peaks, and then declines as your body metabolizes alcohol at a relatively constant rate. Alcohol is absorbed into your bloodstream through the stomach and small intestine. Use the interactive curve below to explore each phase, the factors that can affect BAC, and why every person's result can be different.

Interactive

Explore the Journey

Move through the curve to see each phase and learn what is happening in the body.

Alcohol bell curveBlood alcohol concentration begins at zero, rises during absorption, reaches a peak typically 30 to 90 minutes after the last drink, then declines steadily during elimination and returns to zero hours later.0.15%0.10%0.05%0.00%STARTPEAK · 30–90 MINELIMINATIONZEROBAC (%)TIME
Blood Alcohol Concentration begins at 0.00%, rises during absorption, peaks 30 to 90 minutes after the last drink, declines at about 0.015% per hour, and returns to 0.00% hours later.
Phase 1 of 5 — Drinking Begins

Drinking Begins

The curve begins at 0.00% BAC. As drinking begins and alcohol enters the body, BAC starts to rise.

All phases

Drinking Begins
The curve begins at 0.00% BAC. As drinking begins and alcohol enters the body, BAC starts to rise.
Absorption
Alcohol is absorbed into your bloodstream through the stomach and small intestine. BAC rises. What's happening: BAC is increasing.
Peak BAC
BAC reaches its highest point typically 30–90 minutes after your last drink. Typical timing: 30–90 minutes after your last drink
Elimination
Your body metabolizes alcohol at a relatively constant rate — about 0.015% BAC per hour. BAC declines. Average elimination rate: About 0.015% BAC per hour The average person eliminates alcohol at a predictable rate, regardless of how much was consumed.
Back to Zero
As the body continues eliminating alcohol, BAC declines toward 0.00% and returns to zero hours later. What matters: More time means a lower BAC as the body eliminates alcohol.
Drinking Begins — The curve begins at 0.00% BAC. As drinking begins and alcohol enters the body, BAC starts to rise.
Two People. Same Drinks.

What This Means

Two people can drink the same amount and have very different BAC results.Time, your body, and other factors matter.

Example

3 Drinks Over 1 Hour

General educational example — not a personal BAC prediction.

  1. 1
    3 DrinksOver 1 Hour
  2. 2
    PeakIn 30–90 Minutes
  3. 3
    EliminatesAbout 0.015% BAC Per Hour
  4. 4
    Back to ZeroIn Several Hours
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