Alcohol
Equivalencies: As shown in the following diagram, the absolute amount
of ethyl alcohol that a drinker consumes is approximately the same for a
5 ounce glass of wine, a 12 ounce can or bottle of beer, and a standard
shot of distilled spirits. In each case, one drink equals a little more
than a half-ounce of alcohol. Of course, the larger the wine glass or beer
bottle, the greater the amount of alcohol. Also, some beverages such as
fortified wines and malt liquor contain more alcohol by volume than ordinary
wine or beer.
Blood
Alcohol Concentration: An individual's Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)
is a function of a number of factors, including gender, body weight, and
number of drinks consumed within a period of time. The following table shows
how absolute BAC varies as a function of those three variables. In addition,
BAC can depend upon whether alcohol is consumed with a meal and whether
the beverage is carbonated (e.g., sparkling wine). In most people, the liver
is able to metabolize slightly less than half an ounce of alcohol per hour.
The table shows BAC for number of drinks consumed in one hour.
Behavioral
Effects of BAC: Some of the behavioral, perceptual, and pathological
effects that individuals tend to experience at different levels of BAC are
shown in the next table. Although it is not shown in this table, a BAC of
0.60 is virtually certain to produce death due to depressed functioning
of the respiratory system or heart. Florida law states that it is illegal
to operate a motor vehicle if your blood alcohol concentration exceeds .08.
