Alcohol Awareness

What is a standard drink?

It's important to know what and how much you are drinking. Familiarize yourself with the facts about alcohol before you choose to drink.

Beer – 12 fl oz regular beer = about 5% alcohol
Malt Liquor – 8-9 fl oz (shown in 12 oz glass) = about 7% alcohol
Table Wine – 5 fl oz = about 12% alcohol
Hard Liquor - 1.5 fl oz shot of 80 proof spirits (whiskey, gin, rum, vodka, tequila, etc.) = about 40% alcohol (Mixed drinks may contain multiple types of alcohol.)

How much are you drinking?

If you are under the age of 21, any alcohol is too much since it is illegal to drink alcohol.

Keep track of the drinks you consume and the amount of alcohol in them. This way you can estimate your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and the impact on your metabolism. Your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is the percentage of alcohol in your blood. With the same alcohol intake, the BAC level will vary among people because of differences in body weight, sex, body fat percentage and gender.

In Washington State a 0.08% BAC or a marijuana THC concentration of 5.0% or higher is considered drunk driving. If you receive a DUI ticket (driving under the influence) for either alcohol or drugs, it carries harsh consequences. You can face criminal penalties in court and administrative penalties with the Washington Department of Licensing (DOL), and your driver’s license is suspended. The severity of your punishment may vary based on your blood alcohol level.

Employees of the Federal Aviation Administration who are in safety-sensitive positions must test below a BAC of 0.02 if returning to work within eight hours. FAA employees with a BAC of 0.04 or greater will be removed from safety-sensitive positions.

Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is most commonly used as a metric of alcohol intoxication for legal or medical purposes.

BAC %	Typical Effects	Typical Effects on Driving
0.02 - 0.039%	Some loss of judgment, relaxation, altered mood, loss of shyness	Decline in visual functions (tracking moving target), decline in ability to perform two tasks at the same time (divided attention)
0.04 - 0.059%	Relaxed, lower inhibitions, mildly euphoric, sociable, talkative, some impairment of judgment and memory	Judgment, attention, and control somewhat impaired. Sensory-motor and finer performance are impaired. Less able to make rational decisions about capabilities. Federal Aviation Administration – legally impaired at 0.04% BAC. May not consume alcohol within 8 hours of flight.
0.06 - 0.099%	Slight impairment of balance, speech, vision, reaction time, and hearing. Euphoria, reduced judgment and self-control. Impaired reasoning and memory	.08% legally intoxicated in Washington. Muscle coordination and driving skills impaired. Impaired perception. Information processing reduced
0.10 - 0.129%	Significant impairment of motor coordination and loss of good judgment. Speech may be slurred; balance, peripheral vision, reaction time, and hearing will be impaired.	Reduced ability to maintain lane position and brake appropriately
0.13 - 0.159%	Gross motor impairment and lack of physical control. Blurred vision and major loss of balance. Vomiting may occur.	Substantial impairment in vehicle control, attention to driving and in necessary visual and auditory information processing. Slower glare recovery.
0.16 - 0.199%	Appearance of sloppy drunk, nausea	Impaired vision, limited ability to see detail, and peripheral vision
0.20 – 0.249%	Needs assistance walking, total mental confusion, vomiting, possible blackout and exaggerated emotional state	Vision disturbed as is perception of color, form, motion and dimensions
0.25 - 0.300%	General inertia, near total loss of motor functions, little response to stimuli, unable to stand or walk, vomiting, and incontinence. May lose unconsciousness or fall into a stupor.	Unable to drive
0.30 - 0.500%	Alcohol poisoning and loss of consciousness. Depressed or absent reflexes, subnormal body temperature, incontinence and impairment of circulation and respiration. Onset of coma, possible death from respiratory arrest.	Unable to drive
	DEATH MAY OCCUR AT 0.37% OR HIGHER. BAC’S OF 0.45% AND HIGHER ARE FATAL TO NEARLY ALL PEOPLE

Signs of alcohol poisoning

If you or a friend see any of the following signs get help by calling 9-1-1 immediately

Person cannot be awakened
Slow or irregular breathing
Cold, clammy, pale or bluish skin
Vomiting
Seizures

Washington State has a medical amnesty law for alcohol and drugs that allows underage users to call for help without fearing prosecution. The law is meant to encourage minors to call 9-1-1, if needed during a medical emergency.

Do not wait for all signs to be present – only one sign may indicate alcohol poisoning
Turn the person to his or her side to avoid choking
Stay with the person until help arrives

Ways to reduce your risk when drinking

Set a drinking limit under a BAC of 0 .05% (unless you are piloting an aircraft where legal intoxication is 0.04% BAC, and you may not drink within eight hours of flight)
Keep track of the number of standard drinks you have
Know how you may react with a BAC of 0.05%
Pour your own drinks
Don’t leave a drink unattended
Alternate alcohol drinks with non-alcohol drinks

Choose your settings and companions carefully

Designate a driver who will not drink that night
Avoid drinking in unknown or remote areas
Stay with a good friend and watch out for each other
Be careful about drinking too much when on dates or having sexual relations with others
Remember – choosing not to drink is okay

When is drinking most risky?

Risky drinking styles

Playing drinking games
Drinking to “get drunk”
Taking shots

Risky drinking activities

Drinking and driving
Engaging in sports or athletic activities after drinking
Drinking in remote areas or with unknown people

Risky drinking situations

Drinking underage
Heavy drinking events (like 21st birthday or spring break)
Drinking under pressure of peers

People drink to socialize, celebrate, and relax. Alcohol often has a strong effect on people—and throughout history, people have struggled to understand and manage alcohol’s power.

How much is too much?

Learn what is a drink

What is a standard drink?

How much are you drinking?

Learn about the effects of Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)