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Understanding the seven stages of alcohol intoxication based on your blood alcohol content (BAC) can help you know your limits and stop when you need to.
According to2019 data, 70% of Americans reported they drank alcohol in the past year. However, this drinking is not always in moderation. The same data noted that over 25% of people reportedbinge drinkingin the past month. While alcohol consumed in moderation can be part of a healthy life, sometimes it goes too far. It is important to recognize how alcohol affects your body to stay safe and healthy in the short and long term.
Article at a Glance:
- Drunk is a general term to describe the effects of alcohol on the body.
- Signs of being drunk include loss of coordination or balance, poor judgment, slurred speech or vision changes.
- There are seven stages of being drunk, ranging from being sober to dying.
- Everyone reacts differently to alcohol, so an individual’s stages of being drunk may be different.
- Know your limit with alcohol, and never get behind the wheel if your BAC is over 0.08.
What Does It Mean To Be Drunk?
When you drink alcohol, it enters the bloodstream and begins affecting your body and mind quickly. Drinking alcohol can cause someone to become drunk. Being drunk is a general term describing theeffects of alcohol, such as:
- Loss of coordination or balance
- Impaired reflexes
- Slurred speech
- Vision changes
- Sleepiness
Drinking more alcohol makes these effects worse. In extreme cases,too much alcoholcan lead to coma or death, so it is important to recognize thesignsand stages of being drunk.
Stages of Being Drunk
There are somewhat predictablestagesthat a person will go through when they drink alcohol. Thestages of intoxication varyfrom person to person based on a variety of factors. Reactions to alcohol will vary by weight, age, sex, rate of consumption, overall health, amount of alcohol used, and amount of food in the stomach.
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How to Know Your Limit
When consumed in moderation, alcohol can be part of a healthy lifestyle. Moderate consumptionis defined asone drink daily for women or two drinks daily for men. However, there may be certain times when you drink more than what’s considered moderate.
In these cases, be conscious ofhow alcohol is affecting youand remember the BAC limit for driving in the U.S. is0.08. If you are unsure of your BAC,don’t get behind the wheel.
If you don’t drink often, be aware that alcohol will likely affect you more than someone who does drink regularly. For some people, it is helpful to stop drinking when they start feeling tipsy or are in the euphoric stage. While there isn’t a guarantee you will be below 0.08 BAC at this stage, it is a good marker to prevent some of the harmful effects of alcohol if you continue drinking.
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