Blood Alcohol Content or Blood Alcohol Concentration, abbreviated BAC, is the percentage of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream. It is most commonly used as a measurement of intoxication for legal or medical purposes. The number of drinks consumed is often a poor measurement of blood alcohol content, largely because of variations in weight, sex and body fat, amongst other things. Since so many factors contribute to BAC, it’s impossible to accurately measure intoxication without a breathalyzer test.
Although the maximum legal BAC percentage obtained by a breathalyzer is 0.08% in all 50 states, it is still possible to be charged with a DUI if you are “impaired to the slightest degree.” Subtle impairments can be observed, even after only a few drinks have been consumed. For example, in the 0.03-0.05% range, behavior begins to be influenced. One may experience feelings of mild euphoria, a sense of well-being, relaxation, joyousness, talkativeness and decreased inhibition. This may be the desired effect of alcohol to some, but to others, the effects of alcohol on an individual can be greatly influenced depending on gender, weight, body composition, contents of the stomach and even the efficiency of the liver. Once a person’s BAC reaches 0.08% or higher, the undesired effects of alcohol begin to present themselves. For instance, one may begin to suffer from angriness, sadness, slurred speech and/or a poor sense of balance. Any BAC higher than 0.19% and a person is in danger of plunging into a stupor, finding it difficult to understand speech and even risking death from alcohol poisoning.
Alcohol is metabolized by the body at a rate of .015% BAC every hour. This estimates to about one beer, glass of wine or mixed drink per hour. Metabolization occurs as soon as alcohol is ingested, whereas excretion into urine begins after about 40 minutes. The more drinks consumed in an hour, the longer it takes to be removed from the body. Contrary to common belief, drinking coffee, taking a cold shower or exercising does not speed up the removal process. The only factor affecting the rate of removal in the average healthy person is the passage of time. But, metaboolization can also be compromised when alcohol is consumed in combination with certain medications such as antihistamines. Common cold and allergy medications can slow down the removal process by up to 3 times!
There are, however, ways to slow the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream. Pacing your rate of consumption over a greater period of time and eating a meal before drinking will slow the rate of absorption and also decrease the hangover effect. Mixing alcohol with non-carbonated beverages also helps slow the absorption process. Fructose is the only substance known to increase the rate of absorption. 100g dose of fructose has been shown to increase alcohol metabolism by an average of 80%!
Although the effects of alcohol vary among people that measure the same BAC, the actual content of alcohol in the bloodstream can be objectively measured using a professional breathalyzer test and therefore the results are legally useful and difficult to fight in a court of law. All this can be avoided with the use of the Alco-Buddy breathalyzer vending machine. For a small fee, an intoxicated person can simply insert a straw into the device and blow. In return, the Alco-Buddy will quickly measure your approximate BAC, allowing you to determine whether it’s safe to get behind the wheel. It’s always smart to remember that even if your BAC measures below the legal limit, it’s never wise to operate a motor vehicle if you’ve been drinking. Always designate a driver or make arrangements for a taxi ride home. It will not only save your life, but also the lives of others.
Source of Article and more information can be found at Alcobuddy.com
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