BAC refers to the percent of alcohol in a person's bloodstream. A BAC of 0.10% means that an individual's blood supply contains one part alcohol for every 1000 parts blood. In Texas, a person is legally intoxicated if they have a BAC of 0.08% or higher. Understanding the factors that impact your BAC is an effective way to make informed decisions about your drinking limits and can help you reduce your risk for potential harm while drinking. To learn more about actions you can take to have fun and play it safe, visit this page. Show Tolerance and BACTolerance occurs when the body acclimates to the effects of alcohol, due to habitual use. Tolerance does not impact BAC, but rather makes an individual’s BAC feel lower than it actually is. This means that an individual will feel less affected by alcohol, and it will take more alcohol to reach the same physiological response. The development of tolerance doesn’t mean someone can process alcohol more efficiently and BAC levels will still remain the same. This response is an early sign of developing an alcohol dependency. Factors that impact BACNumber of standard drinks and rate of consumption
Body size and composition
Testosterone and estrogen levels
Additional drugs or medications
Amount of food consumed
Emotional state, mood and level of fatigue
Menstrual cycle
Type of beverage or mixer
It is important to note that common strategies used to “sober up,” such as taking a cold shower, sleeping, drinking water and consuming caffeine, do not work to lower BAC. The only thing that can help alcohol leave your bloodstream is time. Online CalculatorsBAC Calculator: Use this calculator to get an approximate BAC level. Drink Size Calculator: Learn how many standard drinks are in various beverages and sizes of containers. The Virtual Bar: See how alcohol consumption affects BAC over time. SourcesCornell Health. (2019, October 18). Why Biology Matters When It Comes to Drinking Alcohol. Retrieved from https://health.cornell.edu/sites/health/files/pdf-library/Why-Biology-Matters-Drinking.pdf Office of Substance Use Programs Education & Resources. (n.d.). Tolerance. Retrieved from https://super.stanford.edu/learn/alcohol-drug-info/alcohol-info Rev. James E. McDonald, C.S.C., Center for Student Well-Being. (2021). Absorption Rate Factors. Retrieved from https://mcwell.nd.edu/your-well-being/physical-well-being/alcohol/absorption-rate-factors/ UCSB Prevention and Wellness Services. (2003, November 13). Alcohol 101: Gender Differences. Retrieved from https://adp.sa.ucsb.edu/sites/default/files/2021-05/alcohol_-_genderdifferences.pdf Helpful LinksAlcohol and DrugsBruce the Bat Alcohol Overdose and the Bacchus Maneuver Prescription Drug Misuse Prescription Stimulant Misuse Having Fun and Playing Safe Naloxone / Narcan Programs and ClassesIndividual ConsultationsAlcoholEdu and SAPU Brief Alcohol Screening Intervention for College Students (BASICS) Center for Students in Recovery Student Amnesty for Alcohol Emergencies SHIFT
As soon as you start drinking your BAC begins to rise. Having one standard drink will raise an average person's blood alcohol level by about .015%. It takes around 30-60 minutes after you stop drinking for your BAC to reach its highest concentration, before it starts falling. If you have a late night out drinking, you may still be over the limit the next morning. Your blood alcohol level depends on:Your weight. To get a high blood alcohol level, a smaller person needs fewer drinks than a large person. This is mainly because they have less fluid to water it down inside their body. Your gender. On average, the same number of drinks gives a woman a higher blood alcohol level than a man of the same weight. Eating. Alcohol takes longer to go into the blood if there is food in your stomach. How long you spend drinking. If you have a number of drinks over a short time it will give you a higher alcohol level than if you take longer to drink them. Getting your BAC back down takes time. There are no quick fixes. No amount of coffee, water, mints, bread or physical activity will make it go down faster. Your BAC will fall as your liver processes the alcohol. Generally, the liver processes about 1 standard drink per hour, but this will vary depending on the size and health of the person. Keeping your BAC within legal limitsIf your legal limit is 0.00% BAC, then you cannot drink any alcohol at all. If your limit is 0.05%, then the following guidelines may keep your BAC within the legal range.
However, there are many ways this can go wrong, and having any alcohol at all will affect your driving. If you are going to drive, we recommend you don't drink at all. It is important to understand that you shouldn't drink on an empty stomach. Not only does it take fewer drinks to become intoxicated, but it also means more alcohol enters your bloodstream, resulting in a higher blood alcohol concentration (BAC). BAC is the amount of alcohol in a person's bloodstream, typically conveyed in the form of a percentage. The more alcohol in someone's bloodstream, the higher the percentage. Eating prior to or throughout the course of consuming alcoholic beverages actually slows the absorption rate of alcohol entering your body. Thus, less alcohol enters the bloodstreams when the absorption rate decreases. According to several studies, about 20 percent of alcohol is absorbed through the stomach and 80 percent through the small intestine when it enters the bloodstream. Those who don't eat before or during drinking have a BAC three times higher than someone who eats food—especially type that is high in protein—prior to drinking. In addition to eating, the following are other factors that have an impact on someone's BAC levels:
Remember, the legal limit in California is .08 percent. If you have a commercial driver's license (CDL), the legal limit is .04 percent. However, a person could be convicted of DUI even if his/her BAC is under the legal limit, especially if he/she was under the influence of drugs. If you have been charged with a DUI in Ventura County, contact Wilfert Law P.C. at 805-324-6777 and schedule a free consultation today. Page 2The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) rates driving records using a points system. Each licensed driver starts out with a clean record that has no points. Adding points to your driver's license are the result of committing traffic violations. Additionally, you can also receive points for failing to fix mechanical issues with your vehicle. Common examples of traffic violations worth one point include:
Common examples of traffic violations worth two points include:
If you receive four points in one year, six points in two years, or eight points in three years, your California driver's license will be suspended for up to six months due to negligent operation of your vehicle. Driving with a suspended or revoked license is a misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum six-month jail sentence and a fine no more than $1,000. Not only do points on your driver's license result in suspension, but they also significantly increase your auto insurance premiums. The more points you have, the higher your rates—even to the point where you may have trouble finding an insurer to cover you. If you have been arrested for a DUI in Ventura County or risk losing your driver's license, call 805-324-6777 to schedule a free consultation with Wilfert Law P.C. today. |