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Levels of intoxication as varied as the drinkers
Sunday, September 05, 1999 By Lynda Guydon Taylor, Post-Gazette Staff Writer
Recent reports about a Penn State student nearly drinking herself to death highlighted the potential lethal effects of alcohol on the body.
It was sobering news for anyone considering toasting her birthday with a 21-drink salute.
But does the same amount of alcohol affect everyone the same way? The short answer is no.
Women tend to become intoxicated more quickly, said Ken Montrose, clinical director of Greenbriar Treatment Center in Washington.
Alcohol's effect also depends on a person's weight, the contents of the stomach, over-the-counter medications already in the system and one's tolerance level or how much a person is accustomed to drinking, he said.
State Trooper Diana Grady agrees the effect of alcohol varies according to the drinker.
"There are charts telling you how much you can drink. That's a false sense of security. If you're on medication, such as cold medicine, tired, or haven't eaten, it can cause a different reaction," she said.
While reactions can vary, there's no question that as blood alcohol level increases, physical and mental behavior deteriorate.
In the book "Drugs and the Human Body," by Ken Liska, it charts blood-alcohol levels and stages of behavior generally expected.
According to Liska, at .01, alcohol induces a slight tingling of the mucous membranes.
At .02, the back of the head throbs mildly, there's a touch of dizziness and personal appearance is of no concern.
At .03, there's a feeling of euphoria and superiority.
At .04, a person will talk and laugh loudly and make flippant remarks.
At .05, normal inhibitions are nearly eliminated, liberties are taken and motor coordination slips.
At .07, there's a feeling of remoteness, a rapid pulse and clumsiness.
At .10, Pennsylvania's standard for arresting anyone 21 years and older for driving under the influence, a person staggers, sings loudly, becomes drowsy and breathes rapidly.
While the DUI rate is .10 for those 21 years and older, it's illegal for anyone under that age to drink.
But if a driver younger than 21 is caught drinking, he faces a DUI offense with a blood-alcohol rate of .02 or higher.
Among the first things alcohol affects is vision and reaction time, Grady said.
And driving isn't the only skill affected when youths drink. It's not uncommon in the summer for a young person to drown at a swimming hole because drinking is involved.
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