What is a safe level of drinking?

Answer 1

In order to have any way to answer this question, you must consider the numerous factors that interact in determining how intoxicated a person is, in what ways he or she is most impaired and what amount of alcohol it takes for a person to become intoxicated. Also, it is necessary to define safe.

FACTORS:

1. Race/ethnicity

- On average, Native Americans are not able to process alcohol as well as those of European decent due to physiological differences.

2. Size

- The taller and larger you are (assuming that the largeness is not due to excess body fat), the more likely you are to be able to consume more alcohol with less impairment.

3. Body Fat

- Alcohol is not fat soluble. The more body fat you have, the longer the alcohol stays in the body before the liver breaks it down.

4. Gender

- Women tend to become intoxicated more quickly due to less of stomach enzyme for breaking down alcohol as well as typically having more body fat than men.

5. Other

- Rate of consumption, amount of alcohol in the drink as well as the proof of the alcohol, amount eaten prior to drinking and other factors affect BAC levels and intoxication.

DEFINING SAFE

Depending on the person, safe level of drinking could mean many different things, including:

- Below the level limit (BAC < 0.08)

- Not going to jail

- Able to walk without falling/stumbling repeatedly

- Not vomitting

- Not blacking out

SO, WHAT IS A "SAFE LEVEL" OF DRINKING?

LEGALLY

If you are driving or if you are walking in the community, especially one known for high rates of PI arrests, you should not consume more than 2 drinks per hour, or you will likely blow a 0.08 or above which may result in a DUI (and subsequent license suspension) or a public intoxication. If you blow above a 0.15 in most states, the DUI punishment severity typically increases, with Arizona having mandatory jail time for all DUI convictions, including 45 days for those who blow over a 0.25 BAC.

IN GENERAL

If you are not experienced at drinking, you should be slow and steady with your drinking. Consuming too much, too fast (i.e. binge drinking) may result in blacking out which could lead to death through asphyxiation on vomit, respiratory depression, etc. Even if you are experienced, binge drinking carries a much greater risk of harm to self and others than drinking that is paced. Practicing safe drinking practices, such as having a designated driver, also helps increase safety.

BAC LEVELS & WHAT THEY MEAN

0.01-0.029 -- Typically no intoxication, or only very subtle effects, noticed.

0.03-0.059 -- Typically decreased inhibition, mild euphoria, relaxation, increased talkativeness and impaired concentration.

0.06-0.09 -- Typically blunted feelings, disinhibition, extraversion and impairments in reasoning, depth perception, peripheral vision and glare recovery.

0.10-0.19 -- Impaired reflexes (significant), poor reaction time, poor gross motor control, staggering, slurring of speach, mood swings

0.20-0.29 -- Severe motor impairment, loss of conscioussness possible as well as memory blackout, loss of understanding, impaired senses

0.30-0.39 -- Bladder control is poor, breathing and heart rate are significantly impaired, death is possible

>= 0.40 -- Above impairments and complications continue to worsen while risk of death significantly increases.

In other words, driving over the limit is a danger to yourself and others. If you are at home, exceeding 0.19 can lead to overdose while less can lead to accidents. Exceeding 0.30 is highly dangerous with risk of death being very high.