The distinction between “having a good time” and abusing alcohol can be subtle. How a person reacts to alcohol can be influenced by various things, including heredity, food intake, other prescription and non-prescription drugs, and gender.
Alcohol is a depressant that operates by decreasing the rate of signals between your brain and body. Your body will adapt to alcohol usage over time, and stopping abruptly may result in withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms might range from slight trembling to severe hallucinations and seizures.
Measuring Blood Alcohol Level (BAC)
Your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is calculated with a breathalyzer. The test detects the amount of alcohol in your exhaled (breathing out) air. With a straightforward hand-held instrument, you can assess the amount of alcohol in your breath. The device can offer an accurate estimate of your blood alcohol level if calibrated and used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. There are numerous available device types. You may get both basic home appliances and specialized tools like the ones police use to check suspected drunk drivers.
Manual and Electronic BAC Measuring Devices
Many pharmacies and the Internet sell breath alcohol meters that measure your blood alcohol content.
- The manual instrument consists of a glass tube (or a balloon plus a glass tube) that contains crystals that, when exposed to alcohol from your breath, change color. Electronic meters are more expensive than this gadget.
- After you blow into a glass mouthpiece attached to the electronic meter, your blood alcohol content (BAC) is displayed in a digital display window. Compared to manual meters, this version costs more.
One of these two techniques is frequently used by pubs and restaurants to offer free alcohol breath testing to their patrons. These devices are also used to keep an eye on patients in hospitals or alcohol treatment facilities. You can use the outcomes to determine if it is safe to drive. This blood alcohol estimation does not represent your real ability to drive. Despite having a low BAC, say less than 0.05, your ability to drive may still be hindered.
How Long Does It Take for Alcohol to Be Processed?
After consuming alcohol, your blood alcohol concentration begins to increase right away. Alcohol, unlike food, is directly absorbed through the stomach’s walls, into the bloodstream, and then flows throughout your body and to your brain. This makes it possible for blood alcohol levels to rise quickly.
After drinking, your blood alcohol content reaches its peak about 60 minutes later. However, having food in your stomach may lengthen the time it takes for your blood alcohol level to peak. The liver is where the majority of alcohol is metabolized. The remaining portion is eliminated from your body through urine and breath expulsion.
An average drink has roughly 14 grams of alcohol in it, which is equal to:
- 5% alcohol by volume in a 12-ounce beer
- 12% alcohol in a five-ounce glass of wine
- a 1.5-ounce amount or “shot” of 40% alcohol, 80-proof distilled spirits
Alcohol enters the small intestine and stomach after being eaten, where it is absorbed by tiny blood vessels that then transport it to the bloodstream. The stomach absorbs around 20% of the alcohol, while the small intestine absorbs the rest (80%). Liver enzymes in the liver then metabolize alcohol.
Alcohol has a half-life of about five hours. Half of the alcohol consumed during this period is digested and eliminated. It would take around 25 hours for alcohol to be completely gone since it takes roughly five half-lives to digest and eliminate a drug completely. Again, how a person reacts to alcohol can be influenced by various things, including heredity, food intake, other prescription and non-prescription drugs, and gender. No one person is the same.
Conclusion
A breath alcohol test can assist you in making a responsible choice regarding drinking and driving. Never drive after drinking; it is always the safest course of action. If you or a loved one has a problem abstaining from alcohol, contact an alcohol rehab center in Florida. Outpatient rehab centers are a great option to help you kick a substance abuse problem while staying involved in your daily responsibilities.
