0.08 BAC funnel
The factors below explain why drink-count math is unreliable. After you review them, use the main 0.08 BAC guide and breathalyzer buying guide to choose a testing option that fits your needs.
If you need a real number before making a safety decision, use a breathalyzer rather than estimating from what you drank.
Blood alcohol content (BAC) is a measure of the amount of alcohol that is present in the blood, based on the volume of alcohol consumed over a given period of time. While some may choose to count drinks or use calculators to guess their BAC, you should be aware that a substantial number of variables influence it, making this method of BAC estimation not only erroneous, but downright dangerous. A BACtrack Professional Grade Breathalyzer is consistently the most reliable way to estimate your BAC, especially in light of the wide variety of factors that influence it.
As you age, the intoxicating effects of alcohol become increasingly pronounced.
Alcohol is highly water soluble. Because women generally have lower water content in their bodies than men, they usually reach a higher BAC if they consume alcohol at a similar rate to their male counterparts, even if they are the same age and weight. Women also have a lower quantity of an enzyme in their stomachs that breaks down alcohol than men.
The faster you consume alcohol, the faster your BAC will rise.
The more alcohol a drink contains, the more will end up in your bloodstream.
The more you weigh, the more water you tend to have in your body, which has a diluting effect on the alcohol you consume. That is why larger people usually require more drinks to keep pace with their smaller companions.
Fatty tissue is low in water content and cannot absorb alcohol, and the alcohol must remain in the bloodstream until the liver can break it down. However, tissues that are higher in water content, such as muscle, do absorb alcohol. Hence BAC will usually be higher in the person with more body fat.
Metabolic tolerance varies from person to person and describes the rate at which alcohol is processed by the body.
Stress can cause your body to divert blood from your stomach and small intestines to your muscles, and slow down the rate of absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream. When you calm down and your blood flows normally again, you may experience a surge in your BAC.
Many medications react negatively with alcohol, including cold or allergy pills and prescription drugs. They can intensify the effects of alcohol and even endanger your health. If you are taking meds, check the product labels for alcohol warnings, or consult your doctor or pharmacist before you drink.
If you drink alcohol on an empty stomach, your BAC will be higher than a person who has eaten before drinking. Food slows the absorption in your bloodstream by keeping the alcohol you consume in your stomach for a longer period of time.
Carbonated drinks such as sparkling wine or champagne, or mixed drinks with sodas may increase the rate at which alcohol passes through your stomach and result in a higher BAC.
Alcohol can affect the glucose levels of people who have diabetes and cause hypoglycemia. Diabetics should consult their doctors about drinking alcohol and avoid drinking on an empty stomach.
Alcohol may cause adverse reactions in some, including flushing of the skin, nasal congestion, elevated heart rate, and reduced blood pressure. According to the Mayo Clinic, alcohol intolerance is caused by a genetic condition in which the body is unable to break down alcohol.
With all these factors influencing your BAC, you should never rely on counting drinks or using calculators to make an important decision. A BACtrack Breathalyzer compensates for all these factors. By using your breath, it can accurately estimate your BAC and tell you where you stand. Without that, you may as well be picking numbers out of a hat.
