How long after drinking does a breathalyzer test work?

Question

A close friend is having her bachelorette party this Thursday night. As I live in the city that the party is in, I still planned on going to work the next day.

Knowing my friends, this is going to be the most any of us have drank since college (think a couple of bottles of wine per person and a few shots-a lot, I know). We'll be going out at around 10pm, where most of the drinking will start, and will probably be out until around 3am, where the drinking will end.

Chances are that I will still be a little happy when I go to work at 9am Friday morning (don't worry, I take public transportation to work and do not drive. I am a personal assistant, so very little chance of harming anyone in a slightly-inebriated state). Of course I am probably going to just take Friday off, but out of curiosity if I were going to chance it, would a breathalyzer test detect my intoxication 6 hours later? My boss and I are very close; she is wonderful and already knows about the party and possible consequences, but I know that the head honcho at my company has access to a breathalyzer-he may not be as forgiving.

I know that a blood test would probably reveal something in the .06-.10 range, but seeing as how a breathalyzer detects only the air in your lungs, would there be any lingering evidence?

Answer 1

I didn't even read the full question but the breathalizer will catch any alcohol in your system until it's gone, period.  The time factor would be how long ago the booze was consumed & the amount.  The body processes 1 (standard) drink per hour.  & the BAC can be read through brath no matter what.

Answer 2

It really depends on too many factors...body weight ..amount consumed...food eaten.

I once was stopped by the cops..I was going down a one way street for a block before I noticed. I was not drunk only lost I had one beer (amstel light) about 20 min before the stop. I was in a strange town and looking for a bar that didn't close at 11pm. I could not perform the tests as ?I was wearing 3in high boots and was not allowed to take off my shoes. I asked them to perform a breathalzer test as I was sure I would pass..by the time the female cop showed up (35-45min) I blew a .005. I was 105lbs at the time.

If you are not driving and it is 6 hrs later you should be fine if you eat and have drunk plenty of fluids (water) after the party!!!!

Answer 3

It depends on how much you drink...Once i got completely wasted and passed out at a party....4 hours later the cops came and i blew a .09 so after 6 hours I still would've blown something....if your over 21 there shouldn't be a problem with going out with some of your friends at a bachelorette party for some drinks...if you pop a piece of gum in and don't smell like booze theres no reason for your boss to use a breathalyzer.