When you begin drinking socially, you might find it difficult to avoid going overboard and getting drunker than you intended. One drink and a slight tipsy feeling likely will not cause too many problems. A blood alcohol content of 0.02 to 0.03 percent can cause mild relaxation or light-headedness, loosened inhibitions and slight mood intensification. A BAC of 0.05 to 0.06 percent can cause feelings of warmth and relaxation, a loss of shyness and inhibitions, exaggerated behavior and mild euphoria. At BAC levels beyond 0.06, the effects of alcohol become more severe and more dangerous. A higher BAC can lead to impaired judgment, slurred speech, loss of coordination and balance, loss of memory, disorientation and eventual unconsciousness. To avoid reaching a BAC higher than 0.06, take certain steps before you drink and while you drink.
Step 1
Check a blood alcohol content calculator to determine how many drinks a person of your weight can have in a certain period of time without exceeding a BAC of 0.06. Although many variables will weigh on how a specific amount of alcohol will affect you, a blood alcohol content calculator will give you a general idea. You can find these calculators at many college and university websites.
Step 2
Enter a hypothetical quantity and type of drinks, a duration of time and your weight and calculate the BAC you would reach in that scenario. For example, a 120 lb. female who has three beers in two hours would reach a BAC of 0.08. Use this exercise to determine a limit for yourself in terms of drinks per hour to avoid exceeding a BAC of 0.06. For most people, a limit of one drink per hour should prevent you from exceeding a BAC of 0.06. According to Barnard College's Alcohol and Substance Awareness Program, one drink in one hour can make a 100 lb. woman reach a BAC of 0.05. For a 120 lb. woman, one drink in one hour would lead to a BAC of 0.04. In general, blood alcohol levels increase more quickly for women than for men and for smaller people than for larger people.
Step 3
Keep track of how many drinks you have once you start drinking, as well as the amount of time that has passed since the first drink. If you aren't sure of the alcohol content of a cocktail or mixed drink, err on the side of caution and count the drink as more than one unit. If you can no longer remember how many drinks you've had, you might be experiencing impaired judgment or memory loss due to a high BAC. Stop drinking at that point.
Step 4
Drink lots of water. Alcohol functions as a diuretic, causing you to urinate more frequently. Frequent urination can cause dehydration. Drinking water can help your body compensate for lost fluids.
Step 5
Stay with a friend who does not drink to excess. If you hang out with people who are drinking too much, you will be tempted to drink more as well.
Tips and Warnings
- Eating a large meal before drinking will not prevent you from getting drunk. A full stomach slows the absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream, but it will not fully prevent absorption. Alcohol will still enter your bloodstream, but it will enter your bloodstream more slowly. Consult a physician or counselor if you believe you have a drinking problem.
- Alcohol affects everyone differently. BAC calculators might not be accurate for everyone.
Things You'll Need
- Water
References
- Barnard College Alcohol and Substance Awareness Program: Blood Alcohol Level
- Bright Eye Online Alcoholism & Addiction Counseling: How to Stay Sober When All Your Friends are Drinking
- MayoClinic.com: Dehydration---Causes
- The University of Oklahoma: Blood Alcohol Content Calculator
- Blood Alcohol Calculator
