HOW DOES ALCOHOL ENTER THE BODY?

When a person drinks an alcoholic beverage, about 20 percent of the alcohol is absorbed in the stomach and about 80 percent is absorbed in the small intestine. How fast the alcohol is absorbed depends upon several things:

• The concentration of alcohol in the beverage - The greater the concentration, the faster the absorption.
• The type of drink - Carbonated beverages tend to speed up the absorption of alcohol.
• Whether the stomach is full or empty - Food slows down alcohol absorption.

After absorption, the alcohol enters the bloodstream and dissolves in the blood. The blood carries the alcohol throughout the body.

HOW DOES ALCOHOL AFFECT PEOPLE?

Once alcohol has been absorbed into the bloodstream, the body responds to alcohol in stages, which correspond to an increase in BAC:

1. Euphoria (BAC = 0.03 to 0.12 percent)
   • They become more self-confident or daring; judgment is impaired.
   • Their attention span shortens.
   • They may look flushed.
   • They have trouble with fine movements, such as writing or signing their name.
2. Excitement (BAC = 0.09 to 0.25 percent)
   • They become sleepy.
   • They have trouble understanding or remembering things (even recent events).
   • They do not react to situations as quickly (if they spill a drink they may just stare at it).
   • Their body movements are uncoordinated.
   • They begin to lose their balance easily.
   • They may have trouble sensing things (hearing, tasting, feeling, etc.).
3. Confusion (BAC = 0.18 to 0.30 percent)
   • They are confused -- might not know where they are or what they are doing.
   • They are dizzy and may stagger.
   • They may be highly emotional -- aggressive, withdrawn or overly affectionate.
   • They are sleepy.
   • They have slurred speech.
   • They have uncoordinated movements (trouble catching an object thrown to them).
   • They may not feel pain as readily as a sober person.
4. Stupor (BAC = 0.25 to 0.4 percent)
   • They can barely move at all.
   • They cannot respond to stimuli.
   • They cannot stand or walk.
   • They may vomit.
   • They may lapse in and out of consciousness.
5. Coma (BAC = 0.35 to 0.50 percent)
   • They are unconscious.
   • Their reflexes are depressed (i.e. their pupils do not respond appropriately to changes in light).
   • They feel cool (lower-than-normal body temperature).
   • Their breathing is slower and shallower.
   • Their heart rate may slow.
   • They may die.

Brought to you by

http://health.howstuffworks.com and your SWAs!