HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH
The real question is
how much is too much for you? if you are a pregnant women any amount is
too much because of potential harm to the fetus. If you are planning to
drive any amount is too much because even one drink can impair your
reaction time, coordination and judgment. If you are taking medication
any amount can be too much because alcohol can increase of diminish the
effects medications. If you are under age 21 any amount is too much
because it is illegal for you to drink.
The effect that alcohol has on the body and mind
depends on its concentration in the blood. Alcohol is absorbed into the
blood from the digestive system and remains in the blood until it is
broken down by the liver and exhaled by the lungs or excreted in urine.
The rate at which the alcohol level in the blood falls is fairly
constant. Whatever the circumstances and however long it may take for
you to be affected, once you have reached a certain blood alcohol level
it takes the alcohol about the same time to leave your system as it
takes to leave the system of someone who is affected more slowly or more
quickly than you. However the rate at which the alcohol level in the
blood rises is variable depending on the circumstances.
BODY SIZE
Because a large person has more blood in his or her
body than a small person does, the concentration of alcohol in a larger
person's blood tends to rise more slowly and to reach lower levels
overall when identical amounts of alcohol are consumed.
EATING WHILE
DRINKING
Food in the stomach and intestines slows the rate
of which alcohol is absorbed in the bloodstream. If you eat before or
while drinking, you temporarily show down the absorption of alcohol.
TYPE OF DRINK AND
SPEED OF DRINKING:
The more slowly you drink, the les
drastic the effects. If you drink liquor straight the high alcohol
content produces a high concentration of alcohol in your blood more
quickly than does a similar amount of wine or beer. If you gulp a shot
of liquor, the alcohol is quickly absorbed into your system, especially
on an empty stomach.
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