In some states, a court may require additional blood or urine testing to convict a person of driving under the influence (DUI). Law enforcement can use BAC to determine if a person is sober enough to drive an automobile or operate heavy equipment safely. The person can become extremely confused, unresponsive, disoriented, have shallow breathing, and can even pass out or go into a coma. When paramedics arrive, be ready to tell them what you can about the person. You might need to describe how much the person drank or what they’ve been doing since you called 911.
Neither BAC, nor the number of drinks consumed, are necessarily accurate indicators of the level of impairment. Tolerance to alcohol also varies from one person to another, and can be affected by such factors as genetics, adaptation to chronic alcohol use, and synergistic effects of drugs. The following are some common questions about blood alcohol levels.
Chart of the symptoms of blood alcohol levels
Two drinks a day might cancel the benefit, but still do no major harm. Scores of studies have examined the association between moderate drinking and health, and many find a consistent connection. In this case, “moderate” means one to two standard alcoholic drinks per https://ecosoberhouse.com/ day for men and one drink for women. The following charts show different blood alcohol levels based on sex, weight, and number of drinks. Unhealthy alcohol use includes any alcohol use that puts your health or safety at risk or causes other alcohol-related problems.
As blood alcohol concentration (BAC) increases, so does the effect of alcohol—as well as the risk of harm. Even small increases in BAC can decrease motor coordination, make a person feel sick, and cloud judgment. This can increase an individual’s risk of being injured from falls or car crashes, experiencing acts of violence, and engaging in unprotected or unintended sex. When BAC reaches high levels, blackouts (gaps in memory), loss of consciousness (passing out), and death can occur. For example, some research has found that people who limit alcohol to between two and six standard drinks per week have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease than people who drink more. In fact, the American Geriatrics Society suggests that people over 65—both men and women—should limit themselves to one daily drink.
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- To prevent alcohol poisoning, limit your alcohol consumption.
- A blood alcohol test is only accurate within six to 12 hours after your last alcohol-containing drink.
- An alcohol overdose requires hospitalization so doctors can monitor a person’s condition for any complications.
- Less common forms of alcohol are isopropyl alcohol, methanol, and ethylene glycol.
