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Effects of Alcohol (Blood Alcohol Concentration - BAC)
Alcohol is the most used and abused substance in the United States and one of the most used and abused substances worldwide. Alcohol is consumed in the form of ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, and is legal for adults in most countries in the world.
The effects of alcohol intoxication can differ from person to person and largely depend on the level of blood alcohol concentration, also known as blood alcohol content, or collectively abbreviated as BAC. This determines the effect that alcohol typically has on the CNS (central nervous system). Typically, a BAC of more than 0.03 constitutes the beginning of intoxication. However, those with a built-up tolerance can have a higher concentration without feeling any effects.
Depending on your BAC, you can experience various side effects that range from minor complications to more severe ones.
Here’s a breakdown of different BAC percentages along with their symptoms:
BAC: 0.01-0.07%:
- Elevated mood
- Elevated self-confidence
- Reduced anxiety
- Flushing or redness in the cheeks
- Reduced attention span
- Some degree of motor coordination loss
- Impaired judgment
BAC: 0.08-0.15%:
- Poor judgment
- Memory loss
- Reduced comprehension
- Decreased reaction time
- Loss of balance or coordination
- Blurry vision
- Impairment of pain sensation
BAC 0.15-0.30%:
- Staggering walk (if able to stand)
- Vomiting with aspiration
- Amnesia
- Respiratory depression
- Slowed or decreased heart rate
- Potential for blackout
- Complete unconsciousness
BAC 0.30-0.40%+:
- Coma
- Lack of response to light
- Severe respiratory depression
- Respiratory arrest
- Severe decrease in heart rate
- Death
Levels of Drunkenness
There are several levels of drunkenness, which can be categorized into seven main types outlined below:
Level 1: Subclinical Intoxication
In the initial stage of intoxication, this level is reached when the amount of alcohol consumed is minimal, and the individual does not appear to be drunk. This stage usually occurs at a blood BAC below .01% to .04%. Typically, it takes less than one drink per hour to reach subclinical intoxication.
Level 2: Euphoric Effects
Euphoria is described as a heightened sense of wellbeing or an increased sense of happiness. It can be felt naturally while celebrating life achievements or due to the effects of certain mental illnesses, and it can be induced by taking other substances besides alcohol. The euphoric effects of alcohol typically occur with a BAC of around 0.5% to .07%, though it can differ based on the individual and the number of drinks consumed to reach that point.
Level 3: State of Excitement
Following a state of euphoria, the third level of drunkenness is a state of excitement. This usually occurs between .08% to .12% BAC, though it can happen much sooner or even much later for some people. It is similar to a state of euphoria, except it is typically accompanied by restlessness and excitability. At this level, an individual will almost certainly be over the legal limit allowed to operate a motor vehicle.
Level 4: State of Confusion
A state of confusion is the fourth level of drunkenness. It is usually brought on by a BAC of around 0.12% to 0.15%, which is considered the beginning stages of severe intoxication. In this state, an individual might experience general confusion, disorientation, paranoia, mood swings, and even hallucinations.
Level 5: Stupor (near-unconsciousness)
The term ‘stupor’ is often used to describe a severely intoxicated state. When an individual enters the fifth level of drunkenness, they are nearing a state of unconsciousness. At this point, speech is typically slurred or incoherent, with a near-total loss of motor abilities or control over movements, including standing or walking. A stupor is usually reached when a person has a BAC of between 0.15% to 0.30%, though this number can vary. Many people will experience near-unconsciousness at 0.20% or lower.
Level 6: Coma (unconsciousness)
The sixth level of drunkenness is referred to as a coma. Any individual who enters this state has lost consciousness and could be at risk of further complications, including death. It is essential to distinguish falling asleep after drinking from entering an alcohol-induced coma. The former is common, as alcohol causes drowsiness, while the latter is serious and requires immediate medical attention. Typically, a BAC of 0.30% to 0.40% will cause an alcohol-induced coma. Few people can withstand a BAC above 0.45% without resulting in death, and the average person is unable to withstand significantly less without dying.
Level 7: Death
The seventh and final level of drunkenness is death. This results from alcohol poisoning and the body’s inability to process its effects fast enough to keep pace with the level of intoxication. Generally, BAC over 0.40% will possibly lead to death, with anything over 0.45% typically resulting in death as the body begins to shut down.
Risks & Symptoms of Alcohol Intoxication
Several risk factors dictate the likelihood of alcohol intoxication, including:
- Body weight of the individual
- Overall health of the individual
- Amount of food eaten prior to drinking
- Types of alcoholic drinks being consumed
- Rate of alcohol consumption
- Overall amount of alcohol consumption
- Tolerance level of the individual
- Complications from other conditions, such as COVID-19
Symptoms of alcohol intoxication are serious and can be life-threatening. They include:
- Confusion
- Vomiting
- Loss of gag reflex
- Seizures
- Slow or shallow breathing
- Gaps in breathing
- Pale or blue-tinted skin
- Hypothermia (lower than average body temperature)
- Unconsciousness
Blood Alcohol Level Deaths: What to Know
There are several important things to know when it comes to death caused by high BAC levels. These include:
- Binge drinking dramatically increases BAC and the risk of death. Binge drinking is generally considered consuming more than five standard drinks in about two hours for men and four or more for women (a BAC of 0.08 g/dl or above). It is especially dangerous because victims can ingest a fatal dose of alcohol before becoming unconscious or exhibiting typical alcohol poisoning symptoms.
- An individual’s BAC can continue to rise even while the person is unconscious. This is because alcohol in the stomach and intestine continues to enter the bloodstream after drinking has stopped. It is absolutely critical to seek immediate medical help for anyone who has become unconscious due to drinking alcohol.
- Alcohol tolerance, which results in needing increased amounts of alcohol to feel the desired effects, does not affect an individual’s actual BAC levels. This is important to know because those who have conditioned themselves to be able to consume large amounts of alcohol could be at risk for nearing a deadly BAC or alcoholic overdose.
Treatment for Alcoholism
Treatment for alcohol abuse is available regardless of how severe or benign the addiction is perceived to be. There are several treatment options for alcohol addiction, which include:
- Inpatient treatment centers — where the patient is monitored by healthcare professionals in an overnight setting, for as long as needed.
- Outpatient treatment centers — where patients can receive medical assistance while returning home at the end of the treatment session.
- Alcohol support groups — such as AA or 12-step programs.
- Counseling — either one-on-one or in a small group setting.
- Pharmaceutical support — taking prescribed medications such as Revia, Vivitrol and Campral.
- A combination of two or more of the above
If you or a loved one needs help with alcohol use, contact Addiction Group or another healthcare professional for medical advice on how to find treatment options.
