It’s not uncommon for us to go out with friends or family for a meal and perhaps decide to enjoy a drink. However if you are driving it is important to drink responsibility and know when to stop so you can drive home safely. But how do you know how many drinks are too many to not put you over the legal limit of .08%? This is a question a lot of people I know contemplate before deciding to have a drink or two before driving. Generally people know what their limit before they are too intoxicated, but some people may feel like they are not intoxicated and yet still be over the legal BAC limit to operate a vehicle.
The article below gives a general guideline for both men and women based on weight as to how many drinks per hour it takes to reach a certain BAC level. While this is a good general guideline, the level may vary depending on the particular person so it is not an absolute science. Other than having a portable breathalyzer to test yourself, this chart may be a good way to estimate how many drinks might be too many before going above the legal limit. The best advice is always not to drink and drive. If you feel that you may be too intoxicated to drive then the best bet is to get a ride home.
Our attorneys have experience handling DWI cases in NC and will work tirelessly to defend your case. Contact one of our attorneys directly by calling 704-499-9000 or toll free 877-374-5999. You will be glad you did. Don’t worry. We are here to help.
Blood Alcohol Level
Blood Alcohol Level (BAL) is the amount of alcohol present in your blood as you drink. It’s calculated by determining
It’s calculated by determining how many milligrams of alcohol are present in 100 milliliters of blood. But you don’t need a breathalyzer, a calculator, or a measurement conversion chart to figure out what BAL you had last night. Use the Table of Blood Alcohol Levels below. This is a generalized chart based on a person who is metabolizing (or breaking down) one drink an hour. For example, if you are a 120lb. female drinking seven drinks in one hour, your BAL is .30%.
If you’re a WOMAN, your Blood Alcohol Level is:
Weight
# of drinks
in 1 hour 100 lbs. 120 lbs. 140 lbs. 160 lbs. 180 lbs. 200 lbs. 220 lbs. 240 lbs.
1 .05 .04 .04 .03 .03 .03 .02 .02
2 .10 .08 .07 .06 .06 .05 .05 .04
3 .15 .13 .11 .10 .08 .08 .07 .06
4 .20 .17 .15 .13 .11 .10 .09 .09
5 .25 .21 .18 .16 .14 .13 .12 .11
6 .30 .26 .22 .19 .17 .15 .14 .13
7 .36 .30 .26 .22 .20 .18 .16 .15
8 .41 .33 .29 .26 .23 .20 .19 .17
9 .46 .38 .33 .29 .26 .23 .21 .19
10 .51 .42 .36 .32 .28 .25 .23 .21
11 .56 .46 .40 .35 .31 .27 .25 .23
12 .61 .50 .43 .37 .33 .30 .28 .25
13 .66 .55 47 .40 .36 .32 .30 .27
14 .71 .59 .51 .43 .39 .35 .32 .29
If you’re a MAN, your Blood Alcohol Level is:
Weight
# of drinks
in 1 hour 100 lbs. 120 lbs. 140 lbs. 160 lbs. 180 lbs. 200 lbs. 220 lbs. 240 lbs.
1 .04 .04 .03 .03 .02 .02 .02 .02
2 .09 .07 .06 .05 .05 .04 .04 .04
3 .13 .11 .09 .08 .07 .07 .06 .05
4 .17 .15 .13 .11 .10 .09 .08 .07
5 .22 .18 .16 .14 .12 .11 .10 .09
6 .26 .22 .19 .16 .15 .13 .12 .11
7 .30 .25 .22 .19 .17 .15 .14 .13
8 .35 .29 .25 .22 .19 .17 .16 .14
9 .37 .32 .26 .24 .20 .19 .17 .15
10 .39 .35 .28 .25 .22 .20 .18 .16
11 .48 .40 .34 .30 .26 .24 .22 .20
12 .53 .43 .37 .32 .29 .26 .24 .21
13 .57 .47 .40 .35 .31 .29 .26 .23
14 .62 .50 .43 .37 .34 .31 .28 .25
Remember: While this chart is a good general guideline, every individual reacts differently to alcohol. The chart doesn’t take into account your individual body composition, your use of medication, your mood changes, or your personal metabolism rate. Therefore, your blood alcohol level may be in slightly higher or slightly lower than the chart indicates for the number of drinks you consume. Just keep in mind that your body processes alcohol at a constant rate .5 oz. per hour, regardless of how many ounces you consume. Therefore, the faster you drink, the higher your blood alcohol level will be.
Did you know…
1. .08-.10 blood alcohol level is considered legally drunk.
2. most states practice zero-tolerance laws, meaning if you are under 21 any alcohol in your system is against the law.
Blood Alcohol Level and You:
You’ve figured out last night’s BAL on the table. Now, since you’ve done the math, we’ll explain it to you in English. Below, read all about how you’re acting when you think you’re being the life of the party.
BAL .02 %-.03 %: You feel mildly relaxed and maybe a little lightheaded. Your inhibitions are slightly loosened, and whatever mood you were in before you started drinking may be mildly intensified.
BAL .05 %-.06 %: You feel warm and relaxed. If you’re the shy type when you’re sober, you lose your feelings of shyness. Your behavior may become exaggerated, making you talk louder or faster or act bolder than usual. Emotions are intensified, so your good moods are better and your bad moods are worse. You may also feel a mild sense of euphoria.
BAL .08 %-.09 %: You believe you’re functioning better than you actually are. At this level, you may start to slur your speech. Your sense of balance is probably off, and your motor skills are starting to become impaired. Your ability to see and hear clearly is diminished. Your judgment is being affected, so it’s difficult for you to decide whether or not to continue drinking. Your ability to evaluate sexual situations is impaired. Students may jokingly refer to this state of mind as beer goggles, but this BAL can have serious repercussions.
BAL .10 %-.12 %: At this level, you feel euphoric, but you lack coordination and balance. Your motor skills are markedly impaired, as are your judgment and memory. You probably don’t remember how many drinks you’ve had. Your emotions are exaggerated, and some people become loud, aggressive, or belligerent. If you’re a guy, you may have trouble getting an erection when your BAL is this high.
BAL .14 %-.17 %: Your euphoric feelings may give way to unpleasant feelings. You have difficulty talking, walking, or even standing. Your judgment and perception are severely impaired. You may become more aggressive, and there is an increased risk of accidentally injuring yourself or others. This is the point when you may experience a blackout.
BAL .20 %: You feel confused, dazed, or otherwise disoriented. You need help to stand up or walk. If you hurt yourself at this point, you probably won’t realize it because you won’t feel pain. If you are aware You’ve injured yourself, chances are you won’t do anything about it. At this point you may experience nausea and/or start vomiting (keep in mind that for some people, a lower blood alcohol level than .20 % may cause vomiting). Your gag reflex is impaired, so you could choke if you do throw up. Since blackouts are likely at this level, you may not remember any of this.
BAL .25 %: All mental, physical, and sensory functions are severely impaired. You’re emotionally numb. There’s an increased risk of asphyxiation from choking on vomit and of seriously injuring yourself by falling or other accidents.
BAL .30 %: You’re in a stupor. You have little comprehension of where you are. You may suddenly pass out at this point and be difficult to awaken. (But don’t kid yourself: Passing out can also occur at lower BAL’s. But, at lower blood alcohol levels, you may decide You’ve had enough to drink and go “pass out.” With an alarming BAL like .30%, your body will be deciding to pass out for you.) In February 1996, an 18-year-old student died of alcohol – poisoning with a BAL of .31% after attending two parties the night before.
BAL .35 %: This blood alcohol level also happens to be the level of surgical anesthesia. You may stop breathing at this point. In February 1996, a second student, age 20, died of alcohol poisoning with a BAL of .34% after drinking six beers and twelve shots in two hours.
BAL .40 % You are probably in a coma. The nerve centers controlling your heartbeat and respiration are slowing down, s-I-o-w-i-n-g d-o-w-n, s-I-o-w-i-n-g d-o-w-n. it’s a miracle if you’re not dead. In April 1994, a 21-year-old student died of alcohol poisoning with a BAL of .40% after a Hell Night party.
.40 % BAL coma
.30 %BAL in a drunken stupor
.25 % BAL emotionally and physically numb
.20 %BAL vomiting
.15 % BAL possible blackout (memory loss)
.10 % BAL lack of coordination and balance (legally drunk)
.05 % BAL warm and relaxed
.02 % BAL little lightheaded
Acknowledgement
This information was prepared by the University of Missouri – Rolla Center for Personal and Professional Development to assist students with stress management. Information contained herein was gleaned from on-line publications found at the following location:
http://www.factsontap.org/factsontap/naked_truth/blood_alcohol_levels.htm