Alcohol Impairment Chart

This chart is intended as a guide, not a guarantee.

Alcohol affects individuals differently. Your blood alcohol level may be affected by your age, gender, physical condition, amount of food consumed and any drugs or medication. In addition, different drinks may contain different amounts of alcohol, so it's important to know how much and the concentration of alcohol you consume.

For purposes of this guide, &quit;one drink" is equal to 1.5 oz. of 80 proof liquor, 12 oz. of regular beer, or 5 oz. of table wine.

A woman drinking an equal amount of alcohol in the same period of time as a man of an equivalent weight may have a higher blood alcohol level than that man. Therefore, women should refer to the female "Know Your Limits" chart.

These charts are provided for information only and not as indicators for any particular person. Under-age 21 year old drivers and commercial drivers are subject to much stricter BAC limits .

Data supplied by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.

These charts are provided for information only and not as indicators for any particular person. Under-age 21 year old drivers and commercial drivers are subject to much stricter BAC limits.

The effects of alcohol intoxication are greatly influenced by individual variations; some users may become intoxicated at a much lower BAC levels than others. Here is a look at what yo expect when drinking for an average person.

0.02-0.03 BAC: No loss of coordination, slight euphoria and loss of shyness. Depressant effects are not apparent. Mildly relaxed and maybe a little lightheaded.

0.04—0.06 BAC: Feeling of well-being, relaxation, lower inhibitions, sensation of warmth. Euphoria. Some minor impairment of reasoning and memory, lowering of caution. Your behavior may become exaggerated and emotions intensified (good emotions are better, bad emotions are worse).

0.07—0.09 BAC: Slight impairment of balance, speech, vision, reaction time and hearing. Euphoria. Judgment and self-control are reduced, and caution, reason and memory are impaired. You will probably believe you are functioning better than you really are. It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle at this level of intoxication.

0.10—0.125 BAC: Significant impairment of motor coordination and loss of good judgment. Speech may be slurred; balance, vision, reaction time and hearing will be impaired. Euphoria.

0.13—0.15 BAC: Gross motor impairment and lack of physical control. Blurred vision and major loss of balance. Euphoria is reduced and dysphoria is beginning to appear. Judgment and perception are severely impaired. (Dysphoria is an emotional state of anxiety, depression, or unease.)

0.16—0.19 BAC: Dysphoria predominates, nausea may appear. The drinker has the appearance of a "sloppy drunk."

0.20 BAC: Feeling dazed/confused or otherwise disoriented. May need help to stand/walk. If you injure yourself you may not feel the pain. Some people have nausea and vomiting at this level. The gag reflex is impaired and you can choke if you do vomit. Blackouts are likely at this level so you may not remember what has happened.

0.25 BAC: All mental, physical and sensory functions are severely impaired. Increased risk of asphyxiation from choking on vomit and of seriously injuring yourself by falls or other accidents.

0.30 BAC: STUPOR. You have little comprehension of where you are. You may pass out suddenly and be difficult to awaken.

0.35 BAC: Coma is possible. This is the level of surgical anesthesia.

0.40 BAC and up: Onset of coma, and possible death due to respiratory arrest.