Having a glass of wine, a beer or a cocktail isn’t unusual during holiday party season. But, alcohol isn’t just extra empty calories ““ it can have serious effects on your health. Before you leave for a New Year’s Eve party, here are a few facts to keep in mind.
What is a standard drink?
A standard drink equals 14.0 grams, or 0.6 ounces, of pure alcohol. Generally, this amount of pure alcohol is found in:
- 12 ounces of beer (5 percent alcohol content)
- 8 ounces of malt liquor (7 percent alcohol content)
- 5 ounces of wine (12 percent alcohol content)
- 1.5 ounces or a “shot” of 80-proof (40 percent alcohol content) distilled spirits or liquor, such as gin, rum, vodka, or whiskey
Why do some people react differently to alcohol?
Individual reactions to alcohol vary, and are influenced by many factors, including:
- Amount of food consumed before drinking
- Age
- Drugs or prescription medicines also ingested
- Family history of alcohol problems
- Gender
- Physical condition (weight, fitness level, etc.)
- Race or ethnicity
- Rate at which the alcohol was consumed
How much is too much?
While everyone has their own ideas of how much alcohol is too much, there are a few legal standards by which you must comply. Legal limits are measured using either a blood alcohol test or a breathalyzer.
- For people 21 years of age and older, the legal limit for operating a motor vehicle is 0.08 percent, or 80 mg/dL
- Drivers younger than 21 are not allowed to operate a motor vehicle with any level of alcohol in their system
Impairment from alcohol consumption can occur prior to reaching the “legal limit.” The intensity of the effect of alcohol on the body is directly related to the amount consumed. Remember, symptoms may not be apparent to the drinker, including:
- Dilation of blood vessels causing a feeling of warmth
- Loss of balance and motor skills
- Poor judgment
- Reduced reaction time
- Slurred speech
- Coma and death can occur if alcohol is consumed rapidly and in large amounts
How fast is alcohol metabolized?
In general, the liver can process one standard drink in one hour. If you consume more than this, your system becomes saturated. The additional alcohol will accumulate in the blood and body tissues until it can be metabolized. This is why having a lot of shots or playing drinking games can result in high blood alcohol concentrations that last for several hours.
How to enjoy spirits safely
- Before drinking, identify who will be the designated driver for the evening (the person who will not drink) or commit to calling a cab for transportation home at the end of the evening
- Eat before drinking and continue to snack while drinking
- Limit yourself to one drink per hour
- Don’t allow someone who is intoxicated to drive
