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Drunk
Driving caused approximately 15,794 accidents in 1999.
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For help call a Lead Counsel Rated Attorney
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Fairfax, VA 866-262-3673
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Quincy, MA 866-654-8177
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Brooklyn, NY 866-784-2289
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Harper Woods, MI 866-499-8975
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Factors that will affect the Blood Alcohol
Content (BAC) in a person:
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- How much alcohol you drink.
- How fast you drink. The quicker you drink, the higher your peak BAC
will be. The liver gets rid of alcohol at the average rate of
one drink per hour (12 oz. beer, 5 oz. wine, 1 shot of distilled
liquor). If a person drinks faster than this, the remainder will
circulate in the blood stream until the liver can get rid of it.
- Body weight. Heavier people will be less affected by the same amount
of alcohol than lighter people. They have more blood and water
in their bodies in which to dilute the alcohol.
- Food in the stomach. When there is food in the stomach, alcohol is
absorbed slower into the blood stream. The BAC rises more rapidly
in those who drink on an empty stomach, because there is no food
in which to dilute the alcohol.
- The type of alcohol you drink. The stronger a drink is (the higher
the alcohol concentration, distilled alcohol first, wine second,
beer third) the more quickly it is absorbed. This partially explains
why hard liquor has more of an apparent " kick" than wine or beer.
- Type of mixer used. Water and fruit juices mixed with alcohol slow
the absorption process, while carbonated beverages will speed
it up. Carbon dioxide speeds the alcohol through the stomach and
intestine into the bloodstream, creating a rapid rise in BAC.
- Temperature of the drink. Warm alcohol is absorbed quicker than cold
alcohol.
- If
you are male or female. Women reach a higher BAC faster because
they have less water in their bodies and more adipose tissue (fat),
which is not easily penetrated by alcohol. Therefore, a man and
woman, with all other factors being equal, both drinking the same
amount of alcohol will have different BAC levels. Hers will be
higher. A woman's menstrual cycle will also affect her rate of
absorption. They will experience their highest BAC during their
premenstrual stage. In addition, there is also evidence that a
woman taking birth control pills will absorb alcohol faster, resulting
in higher BAC levels.
How
To Calculate Your Estimated Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)
- Count
your drinks. One "drink" is equivalent to = 1 can or
12 oz. of beer (5% alcohol), 1 glass or 5oz. of wine (12% alcohol),
or 1 shot or 1-1.5 oz. of 80 proof liquor (40% alcohol).
- Use
the chart below and under number of "drinks" and opposite
"body weight" find the percent of blood alcohol listed.
- Subtract
from this number the percent of alcohol "burned up"
during the time elapsed since your first drink. This figure is
.015% per hour. (Example: 180 lb. man - 8 drinks in 4 hours /
.167% minus (.015x4) = .107 %
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DRINKS
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Body
weight
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1
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2
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3
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4
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5
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6
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7
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8
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9
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10
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11
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12
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100
lb.
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.038
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.075
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.113
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.150
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.188
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.225
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.263
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.300
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.338
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.375
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.413
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.450
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110
lb.
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.034
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.066
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.103
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.137
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.172
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.207
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.241
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.275
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.309
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.344
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.379
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.412
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120
lb.
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.031
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.063
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.094
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.125
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.156
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.188
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.219
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.250
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.281
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.313
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.344
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.375
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130
lb.
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.029
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.058
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.087
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.116
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.145
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.174
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.203
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.232
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.261
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.290
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.320
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.348
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140
lb.
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.027
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.054
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.080
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.107
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.134
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.161
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.188
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.214
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.241
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.268
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.295
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.321
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150
lb.
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.025
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.050
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.075
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.100
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.125
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.151
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.176
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.201
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.226
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.251
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.276
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.301
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160
lb.
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.023
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.047
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.070
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.094
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.117
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.141
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.164
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.188
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.211
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.234
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.258
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.281
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170
lb.
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.022
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.045
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.066
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.088
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.110
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.132
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.155
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.178
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.200
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.221
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.244
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.265
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180
lb.
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.021
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.042
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.063
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.083
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.104
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.125
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.146
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.167
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.188
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.208
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.229
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.250
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190
lb.
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.020
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.040
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.059
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.079
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.099
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.119
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.138
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.158
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.179
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.198
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.217
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.237
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200
lb.
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.019
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.038
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.056
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.075
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.094
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.113
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.131
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.150
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.169
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.188
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.206
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.225
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210
lb.
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.018
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.036
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.053
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.071
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.090
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.107
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.125
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.143
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.161
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.179
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.197
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.215
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220
lb.
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.017
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.034
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.051
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.068
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.085
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.102
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.119
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.136
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.153
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.170
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.188
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.205
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230
lb.
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.016
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.032
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.049
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.065
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.081
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.098
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.115
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.130
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.147
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.163
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.180
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.196
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240
lb.
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.016
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.031
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.047
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.063
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.078
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.094
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.109
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.125
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.141
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.156
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.172
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.188
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Tips
For Controlling Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)
- Pace
your drinking, allow time between drinks.
- Consider
alternating non-alcoholic "decoy" drinks with those
containing alcohol, i.e. drinking plain orange juice every other
drink.
- Don't
drink on an empty stomach, foods with fats and/or proteins slow
alcohol absorption.
- Keep
track of how much you are drinking; know how much alcohol is poured
into every glass.
- Dilute
distilled beverages, don't drink them straight. After the first
few drinks, reduce the amount of alcohol in each drink. (Your
taste buds will be dulled and you won't be able to tell the difference)
itch to "light beer" or "low alcohol" wines
after the first few drinks. (Again, your taste buds will be dulled
and you won't be able to tell the difference.)
- Avoid
possible interactions between alcohol and other drugs (including
certain foods and over-the-counter medications).
- Drink
only if YOU want to, don't let others dictate your choice.
- Keep
active. Don't just sit down and drink all night. If you keep active
you will drink less and will be more aware of your level of intoxication.
- Keep
out of "Chugging" contests or other drinking "games."
- Stop
drinking before the party is over, to allow your liver time to
burn off some of the alcohol. Drink non-alcoholic beverages the
last hour or so.
- Keep
in mind that an added ice cube, a slightly smaller glass, or a
"decoy" drink will go undetected by others. They may
help you to resist the well-meaning efforts of others at the party
who can't stand to see someone without a drink in their hand.
- Remember:
Careful planning of a party can increase the pleasure for both
the guests and the hosts. BAC's are good measures of the amount
of pleasure (or discomfort) that will result from a particular
pattern of drinking. BAC's in excess of 0.125% will NOT increase
the pleasure, only the discomfort.
- Responsible
alcohol use means that you won't be sorry in the morning.
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