Blood Alcohol Concentrations Flashcards
What is BAC?
The amount of alcohol in the bloodstream (the Blood Alcohol Concentration)
What are the two main factors that affect BAC levels?
The number of drinks and how quickly they are consumed
The more drinks consumed in a shorter period of time…
…the higher the BAC.
What is the rate that the body will eliminate alcohol?
Approximately one Standard Drink per hour (BAC charts also take this into account).
Will BAC continue to rise, even after the person stops drinking?
Yes, because it takes time for alcohol to travel into the bloodstream.
What other factors can impact a person’s BAC level?
Body Size, Body Fat, Fitness, Age, Food, Carbonated Drinks, and Medication/Drugs
What are the main factors that affect BAC levels?
Sex, weight, number of drinks and time.
How does BODY SIZE affect BAC levels?
Smaller = Higher BAC
This is because the alcohol is concentrated in a smaller body mass.
How does BODY FAT affect BAC levels?
More body fat = higher BAC.
This is because alcohol is not absorbed into fatty tissue and is therefore concentrated in a smaller body mass.
How does FITNESS affect BAC levels?
Muscular = lower BAC.
Muscular people have more total body water because muscle tissue contains more water than fat tissue. Alcohol distributes itself in total body water, but not in fat
How does AGE affect BAC levels?
Older = higher BAC.
As people age, their ability to metabolize alcohol decreases. Aging
reduces muscle mass and the body’s ability to retain water.
How does SEX affect BAC levels?
Female = higher BAC.
Females tend to have a higher proportion of fatty tissue and less total body water than males.
How does FOOD AND NON-ALCOHOLIC DRINKS affect BAC levels?
High FAT & PROTEIN = will keep alcohol in the stomach longer and slow down absorption (will take longer for BAC levels to rise)
Combine with non-alcoholic drinks to slow the rate at which a person consumes alcohol.
How does SALTY FOODS affect BAC levels?
Salty foods can cause a guest to become thirsty, which may lead them
to drink more in a shorter period of time.
How do DRUGS affect BAC levels?
Legal/illegal drugs, cannabis, prescription drugs, and over-the-counter
medications can increase the effects of alcohol.