Alcohol Guidance

The following is guidance to the possible general effects of alcohol on a moderate social drinker (an average individual) in correlations to the blood alcohol concentrations (mg%):

mg% State Clinical Signs And Symptoms
0-50 Sobriety No apparent influence, excitement, talkativeness, enhanced sense of well-being
30-120 Euphoria Mild euphoria, sociability, talkativeness, increased self-confidence, decreased inhibitions, diminution of attention, judgement and control, beginning of sensory-motor impairment, slowed information processing, loss of efficiency in finer performance tests, noticeably under the influence
90-250 Excitement Staggering gait, emotional instability, loss of critical judgement, impairment of perception, memory and comprehension, decreased sensory response, decreased perception and coordination, increased reaction time, sensory-motor inco-ordination, impaired balance, drowsiness
180-300 Confusion Disorientation, mental confusion, dizziness, exaggerated emotional states (fear, sorrow, rage,etc), increased muscular inco-ordination, staggering gait, slurred speech, impaired balance, decreased sensitivity to pain
250-400 Stupor General inertia, marked muscular inco-ordination, inability to stand or walk, vomiting, impaired consciousness, sleep or stupor, apathy, approaching paralysis, markedly decreased response to stimuli, respiratory depression
350-450 Coma Complete unconsciousness, coma, anaesthesia, depressed reflexes, subnormal temperature, impairment of circulation and respiration, possible death
450+ Death Death from respiratory and cardiovascular depression
UKIAFT Logo, Professional Body Of Forensic Toxicologists
Forensic Science Services Logo, Closed March 2012
LTG Logo, Professional Analytical Toxicology