To celebrate your birthday, you met a few friends at one of the many great restaurants in Fairfax, such as Sisters Thai, Sushi Prince, or Artie’s. Along with experiencing delicious food, you also enjoyed a few cocktails. You had the same type and amount of drinks that your friends had, but you seem to feel the effects more than they do. How is this possible?
Police use your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to measure your level of intoxication. The legal limit in Virginia is 0.08 gd/l and if you are found to have this level or higher, you may receive drunk driving charges. Your BAC level is dependent upon many factors, which is why some alcohol drinkers are more prone to experiencing the effects of alcohol than others.
Factors That Affect Your BAC
A number of factors affect the amount of alcohol found in your blood, including:
- Your age. As people age, the effects of alcohol become more pronounced.
- Rate of consumption. The faster you drink, the faster your BAC will rise.
- Gender. Alcohol is water soluble and since women tend to have less water in their bodies than men do, they usually reach a higher BAC than men who drink the same amount of alcohol in the same period of time. Even if they weigh about the same, women tend to become intoxicated faster than men do. Additionally, women usually have less of the enzyme that breaks down alcohol in their stomachs than men do.
- Your weight. The more you weigh, the more water you have in your body, which means you’ll have to drink more than a person who weighs less to have the same amount of alcohol in your body.
- Medication. Cold medicine, allergy pills, and certain prescription drugs can intensify the affects of alcohol—and even put your life in danger.
Getting the Help You Need
Attempting to fight your DUI or DWI charges alone will likely end in disaster. The Easley Law Firm may be able to help you receive better results than you would if you attempt to represent yourself. Connect with us today to learn how.
|
Related Links: |