Blood alcohol levels
Symptoms of effects of drinking alcohol at different levels of blood alcohol concentration (BAC).
|
BAC |
Symptoms |
|
<50 mg/dL |
Some impairment in motor coordination and thinking ability Talkativeness Relaxation |
|
50-150 mg/dL |
Altered mood (increased wellbeing or unhappiness) Friendliness, shyness or argumentativeness Impaired concentration and judgement Reduced sexual disinhibition |
|
150-250 mg/dL |
Slurred speech Unsteady walking Nausea Double vision Increased heart rate Drowsiness Mood, personality and behaviour changes that may be sudden, angry and antisocial |
|
300 mg/dL |
Unresponsive/extremely drowsy Speech incoherent/confused Memory loss Vomiting Heavy breathing |
|
>400 mg/dL |
Breathing slowed, shallow or stopped Coma Death |
Adapted from: Table 163.1 in Brust, J. C. M. (2005). Alcoholism. In L. P. Rowland (Ed.), Merritt’s neurology (11th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.and Table 1 in Vonghia, L., Leggio, L., Ferrulli, A., Bertini, M., Gasbarrini, G., Addolorato, G., et al. (2008). Acute alcohol intoxication. European Journal of Internal Medicine, 19(8), 561-567.
Go to the body effects section to find out more about the effects of alcohol on your body.
Go to the health effects section to find out how alcohol can affect your health.