Blood alcohol content (BAC) is a measure of alcohol in the blood as a percentage. It is calculated in grams per 100 mL of blood, so a BAC of 0.08 means your blood is 0.08% alcohol by volume. The legal limit for driving under the influence (DUI) is 0.08% BAC in most states. However, it is important to note that BAC levels can vary depending on factors such as body weight, sex, and individual alcohol tolerance. The following are predictable effects we’d expect to see at different BAC levels for a drinker who has not developed tolerance:
- 0.02-0.04% BAC: Lightheaded – Relaxation, sensation of warmth, “high,” minor impairment in judgment
- 0.05-0.07% BAC: Buzzed – Relaxation, euphoria, lower inhibitions, minor impairment of reasoning and memory, exaggerated emotions (positive and negative)
- 0.08-0.10% BAC: Legally impaired – Euphoria, fatigue, impairment in balance, speech, vision (particularly peripheral)
- 0.16-0.19% BAC: Very drunk – Strong state of depression, nausea, disorientation, dizziness, increased motor impairment, blurred vision
- 0.20-0.24% BAC: Severely impaired – Nausea and vomiting, confusion, disorientation, increased risk of accidents
- 0.25-0.29% BAC: Alcohol poisoning – Loss of consciousness, amnesia, severe depression of the central nervous system, risk of death
- 0.30% BAC and above: Risk of death – Severe respiratory depression, coma, risk of death
It is important to note that these effects can vary depending on individual factors such as tolerance and body weight, and that alcohol affects everyone differently. It is always safest to avoid driving after drinking any amount of alcohol.
