MDD BACtrack S35 - Dose-Specific Effects of Alcohol

DOSE-SPECIFIC EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL
*
Dose-Specific Effects
Slight euphoria. Loss of shyness. Depressant
effects are not apparent. Impairment possible
in some individuals.
Feeling of well-being, relaxation, lower
inhibitions and sensation of warmth. Euphoria.
Some minor impairment of reasoning and
memory. Lowering of caution. Driving skills may
be impaired at this level of intoxication.
Slight impairment of balance, speech, vision,
reaction time, and hearing. Euphoria. Judgment
and self-control are reduced. Caution, reason and
memory are impaired. Driving skills are always
impaired at this level of intoxication and higher.
Signicant impairment of motor coordination
and loss of good judgment. Speech may be
slurred. Balance, vision, reaction time and
hearing will be impaired. Euphoria.
Dose-Specific Effects
Gross motor impairment and lack of physical
control. Blurred vision and major loss of
balance. Euphoria is reduced and dysphoria
(anxiety, restlessness) is beginning to appear.
Dysphoria predominates. Nausea may appear.
Needs assistance in walking. Total mental
confusion. Dysphoria with nausea and
some vomiting.
Loss of consciousness.
Onset of coma. Possible death due to
respiratory arrest.
**
BAC
0.02 - 0.03%
0.04 - 0.06%
0.07 - 0.09%
0.10 - 0.12%
BAC
0.13 - 0.15%
0.16 - 0.20%
0.25%
0.30%
0.40% and up
From California Department of Motor Vehicles (http://www.dmv.ca.gov)
1
Bailey,
William J., Drug Use in American Society, 3rd ed., Minneapolis: Burgess,
1993
*
The effects of alcohol intoxication are greatly influenced by individual variations among
users. Some users will be intoxicated at a much lower BAC than shown above.
**
Death can occur at a lower BAC in some individuals.
The generally accepted legal standard for alcohol intoxication in the United
States is 0.08%. However, your driving skills can be impaired at a level of
0.04% or lower. It is never safe to drink any amount of alcohol and drive.
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