Blood Alcohol Level

Blood Alcohol Level is the amount of alcohol present in your blood as you drink. It is calculated by determining how many milligrams of alcohol are present in 100 milliliters of blood. But you don't need a Breathalyzer, a calculator or a measurement conversion chart to figure out what blood alcohol level you had last night - just use the table below. This is a generalized chart based on a person who is metabolizing one drink an hour.

Remember: While this chart is a good general guideline, every individual reacts differently to alcohol. The chart does not take into account your individual body composition, your use of medications, your mood changes, or your personal metabolism rate. Therefore, your blood alcohol level may in fact be higher or lower than the chart indicates. Just keep in mind that your body processes alcohol at a constant rate of .5 ounces per hour, regardless of how many ounces you consume. Therefore, the faster you drink, the higher your blood alcohol level with be.

Did you Know?
.08-.10 blood alcohol level is considered legally drunk
Most states practice zero-tolerance laws; if you are under age 21, any alcohol in your system is against the law.

Blood Alcohol Level and Your Behavior
.02%-.03%
You feel mildly relaxed and maybe a little lightheaded. Your inhibitions are slightly loosened, and whatever mood you were in before you started drinking may be mildly intensified.

.05%-.06%
You feel warm and relaxed. Your behavior may become exaggerated, making you talk faster and louder. You may also act bolder than usual. Emotions are intensified, so your good moods are better and your bad moods are worse. You may also feel a mild sense of euphoria.

.08%-.09%
You believe you are functioning better than you actually are. You may start to slur your speech, your sense of balance is off, and your motor skills are starting to become impaired. Your ability to see and hear clearly is diminished. Your judgment is also being affected, so it is difficult to decide whether or not to continue drinking.

.10%-.12%
At this point, you feel euphoric, but you lack coordination and balance. Your motor skills are markedly impaired, as are your judgment and memory. You probably don't remember how many drinks you've had. Your emotions are exaggerated, and some people become loud, aggressive, or belligerent. If you are a guy, you may have trouble getting an erection with your blood alcohol level this high.

.20%
You feel confused, dazed, or otherwise disoriented. You need help to stand up or walk. If you hurt yourself at this point, you probably won't realize it because you won't feel pain. At this point, you may experience nausea and/or start vomiting (for some people, a lower blood alcohol level may cause vomiting). Since blackouts are likely at this point, you may not remember any of this.

.25%
All mental, physical, and sensory functions are severely impaired. You are emotionally numb. There is an increased risk of asphyxiation from choking on vomit and of seriously injuring yourself.

.30%
You are in a stupor. You have little comprehension of where you are. With an alarming blood alcohol level such as this, your body will decide to "pass out" for you.

.35%
This blood alcohol level also happens to be the level of surgical anesthesia. You may stop breathing at this point.

.40%
You are probably in a coma. The nerve centers controlling your heart beat and respiration rate are slowing down. It's a miracle if you're not dead.