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Many factors affect how alcohol is absorbed and processed in the body. BAC, which is measured by the weight of the alcohol in a certain volume of blood can rise at different rates based on factors such as:
Age: Younger people (up to about 25 years old) may be more likely to feel the effects of alcohol because their bodies are still developing, and their brains don’t fully develop until roughly their mid-20s. More mature people – particularly adults aged 65 or older – may also be more affected by alcohol due to their bodies’ decreased ability to process it.
Carbonation: Carbonated (fizzy) drinks increase the rate of alcohol absorption.
Dehydration: Being dehydrated can make your liver less efficient at processing alcohol.
Fatigue: Like dehydration, fatigue makes your liver less efficient at processing alcohol.
Food Content in the Stomach: Having food in your stomach can help slow the absorption of alcohol and rate of intoxication.
Gender: Men and women process alcohol differently. Women tend to experience the effects of alcohol quicker and for longer than men. Biological differences in body structure and chemistry lead most women to absorb more alcohol and take longer to process it. Women generally have less body water than men of similar body weight and more body fat per pound of body weight, so they achieve higher concentrations of alcohol in the blood after drinking equivalent amounts of alcohol.
Genetics: Genetic factors can significantly influence how a person’s body processes and responds to alcohol. Some people have genetic variations that cause them to process alcohol more slowly. Because they process the alcohol more slowly, it stays in their system for longer and they can end up with a higher blood alcohol concentration than someone who has had a similar amount to drink.
How Fast you Drink: When alcohol is consumed quickly, you will reach a higher BAC than when consumed over a longer time.
Mental Health: People with mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, may be more likely to experience the effects of alcohol. Alcohol can also intensify these conditions and make symptoms worse.
Mood: Emotions, such as stress, can change your stomach enzymes and affect how your body processes alcohol.
Number of Drinks: The more you drink, the higher your BAC.
Physical Health: People with certain medical conditions or who are malnourished may be more affected by alcohol. In addition, people with liver disease may have difficulty metabolizing alcohol, leading to increased intoxication and risk of liver damage.
Tolerance: Over time, regular drinking can lead to increased alcohol tolerance, the body’s ability to adapt to the effects of alcohol. Some people have a naturally high tolerance while others may have a lower tolerance. Some people may develop a high tolerance through frequent, persistent drinking. People with a higher tolerance must drink more to achieve the same effects as those with a lower tolerance, which can lead to higher consumption and increased risk of addiction and other health problems.
Use of Other Medications or Drugs: Some medications or drugs can have dangerous side effects when combined with alcohol, ranging from discomfort to life-threatening reactions.
Weight: Generally, the less you weigh, the more you are affected by alcohol. The more you weigh, the more water that is present in your body. This water dilutes the alcohol and lowers the BAC.
At a BAC of .08 grams of alcohol per deciliter (g/dL) of blood, a person’s car crash risk increases exponentially. Because of this risk, it is illegal in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to drive with a BAC of .08 or higher, except in Utah where the BAC limit is .05. Click here for more information on some of the dangers of drinking and driving typically encountered at a variety of BAC levels.
