Blood-to-air alcohol concentration ratio

Content:

1. Metabolism of ethyl alcohol.
2. What affects the excretion of alcohol?
3. How is the time for alcohol removal from the body determined?
4. How is the ethanol content in the blood determined?
5. How to speed up the elimination of ethanol.

No doctor can say exactly how long alcohol stays in the body. The speed of its elimination is influenced by many factors. These are the health characteristics of the person himself, the conditions in which the drinking takes place, etc. But it is quite possible to roughly calculate how long alcohol intoxication will persist.

Penalties for driving while intoxicated

If a laboratory analysis proves that the permissible level of ethanol in the driver’s blood is exceeded, a rather severe punishment awaits. The size and type of penalty depend on the circumstances , for example, if we are talking about a recidivism, then the liability will be maximum.

Fine

A fine threatens not only the drunk driver personally, but also the owner of the vehicle if he transfers control to a person in a state of intoxication. The amount of the penalty is about 30,000 rubles, as well as deprivation of the right to drive a car. for driving while intoxicated are :

• in case of violation for the first time - 30,000 rubles;
• relapse - from 200 to 300 thousand rubles.

The amounts are significant, but it could have been worse. For example, in Japan, every passenger in a car with a drunk driver behind the wheel must pay a fine equivalent to $3,000.

Deprivation of rights to drive a vehicle

Driving a vehicle while intoxicated, in addition to a fine, is punishable by deprivation of driving license for a period of 1.5 to 2 years for the following reasons:

• driving while intoxicated;
• refusal of medical examination;
• drinking alcohol after an accident.

In case of repeated violation, the driver is deprived of his right to drive a vehicle for a period of 3 years.

Arrest

An administrative arrest of a drunk driver for a period of 10 to 15 days is possible under aggravating circumstances, for example, driving a vehicle without a driver’s license. The arrest does not cancel the fine in the amount of 30,000 rubles, and the deprivation of driving privileges.

Other types of sanctions

Article No. 264.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation may be applied to the driver, which provides for the following penalties for a driver who drives a vehicle while drunk and refuses to be examined at a drug treatment clinic, as well as for persons who have previously committed crimes while intoxicated:

• a fine equal to 1-2 years' salary;
• ban on holding positions for up to 3 years;
• 480 hours of correctional labor;
• 2 years of forced labor;
• 2 years imprisonment.

Metabolism of ethyl alcohol

After entering the digestive tract, ethanol is partially degraded under the influence of gastric alcohol dehydrogenase (ALDH), but its active absorption begins in the upper parts of the small intestine. The alcohol is distributed throughout all tissues, and at the same time metabolic transformations occur in the liver cells using three parallel functioning systems:

• alcohol dehydrogenase;
• microsomal;
• catalase.

Up to 10% is metabolized in other structures - lungs, kidneys, vascular endothelium, etc. As a result, acetaldehyde is also formed, which is further broken down to the final metabolites - non-toxic acetate and carbon dioxide.

What affects alcohol excretion?

• 
  The amount of drinking, how many days the binge lasts.

• Alcohol ingredients. For example, carbon dioxide accelerates absorption, while malt, on the contrary, slows it down.
• Floor. In women, alcohol removal from the blood takes longer due to lower ALDH levels.
• Snack. If you drink on an “empty stomach,” ethanol very quickly enters the small intestine and is almost completely absorbed. But if the consumption of strong drinks is accompanied by food intake, the alcohol is more susceptible to breakdown by gastric alcohol dehydrogenase.
• Age. In older people, the metabolic rate slows down, enzyme activity decreases, and accordingly, the time it takes for alcohol to leave the blood increases.
• Taking medications. The biotransformation of most medications (especially antibiotics, antifungals) occurs with the participation of the same liver enzymes as alcohol. Therefore, the removal of alcohol from the blood slows down, and the risk of serious side effects from taking the drugs increases many times over.
• Liver diseases. The main biochemical reactions of the breakdown of ethyl alcohol occur in this organ. Foci of necrosis or fibrosis, inflammation, fatty infiltration slow down these processes.
• Colonization by Helicobacter pylori. It is believed that this bacterium may influence how many hours alcohol remains in the blood.
• Genetic features. Hereditary factors determine ALDH activity. By the way, this is also the reason for the predisposition to the rapid development and progression of alcoholism.
• Weight. The greater your body weight, the less time alcohol stays in your body.

How many days does alcohol stay in the blood?

Alcohol has the ability to be hydrophilic.
Due to this property, its highest concentration will be observed where there is the maximum amount of water. For example, in the blood itself the amount accumulated will be many times greater than in plasma.

There are 3 stages of exposure to intoxicating:

• Absorption - begins immediately as soon as the drink enters the oral cavity and continues until the maximum concentration of its level is reached. On an empty stomach this happens almost immediately, unlike the state after eating. The rate of absorption is also affected by carbonation and the presence of related additives.
• Oxidation is a sharp decrease in concentration.
• Excretion is a process where ethanol is actively released into feces, urine, sweat, and even into the air that we exhale. It is these elimination routes that are often used to conduct rapid tests. The discharge period usually lasts from 8 to 12 hours.

For example, weak drinks like beer are removed no longer than after 2-4 hours, champagne and wine – up to 5-6 hours, but it may take a whole day to process vodka or cognac.

Please remember that these are just estimates and may vary due to many of the reasons given above.

How is the time it takes for alcohol to leave the body?

Oxidation and elimination (excretion) of alcohol occur more slowly than absorption and at a more constant rate. This figure ranges from 4 to 12 g per hour (average 7-10 g). In other words, the alcohol concentration decreases by 0.1-0.16 ‰ in 60 minutes. With high doses of alcohol, metabolism accelerates and can reach 0.27 ‰/hour.

For example, 100 ml of vodka contains about 40 ml of alcohol.
Accordingly, it will be detected in exhaled air, blood and saliva for at least 4-5 hours. This simple calculation is suitable for a single episode of consumption of strong drinks in moderate doses. When drinking large amounts of alcohol or drinking for many days, the time that alcohol stays in the blood increases. In addition, intoxication with metabolic products increases, and hypoglycemia and metabolic acidosis often occur. This explains the symptoms of hangover syndrome - thirst, fatigue, tremors, tachycardia, headache, sweating, depressed mood, etc. On average, how long it takes for alcohol to leave the blood can be determined using the following table:

Literature:

1. Forensic medical diagnosis of alcohol poisoning / [Pigolkin Yu. I. et al.]; edited by Yu. I. Pigolkina. – Moscow: Med. information agency, 2006 (Yoshkar-Ola: Mari Printing Publishing House). – 573 p.
2. Chronic alcohol intoxication / A. Ya. Grinenko et al. - St. Petersburg: R. Aslanov Publishing House: Legal Center Press, 2007. - 537 p.
3. Alcoholism / Donald W. Goodwin; [Transl. from English B. Pinsker]. – M.: Olimp-business, 2002. – XII, 224 p.
4. Methodological letter on the detection and determination of ethyl alcohol in blood and urine by gas-liquid chromatography / Ministry of Health of the USSR. – Moscow: [b. i.], 1968. – 12 p.

How is the ethanol content in the blood determined?

The easiest and fastest way to determine whether alcohol is still in the body is a breathalyzer.
There are portable devices intended for use by motorists, and certified devices used by traffic police officers. In 2100-2200 cm3 of exhaled air, the ethanol content is the same as in 1 cm3 of blood, 45 μg/l corresponds to 0.1 ‰. The accuracy of the breathalyzer readings is affected by:

• organic compounds contained in exhaled air (aldehydes, ketones, acetone);
• smoking (results may be erroneous if less than 10 minutes have passed since the cigarette was smoked);
• impurities of vapors of volatile flammable substances from the surrounding air;
• use 10-20 minutes before the procedure of alcohol-containing medications, kvass, kefir, sauerkraut.

A portable breathalyzer is affordable for every car enthusiast. With its help, you don’t have to figure out how long alcohol stays in your blood. A few minutes spent on checking - and the person will know for sure whether it is possible to get behind the wheel or whether it is better to go on business by public transport (taxi).

The most accurate way to determine ethanol content is a laboratory test of blood or urine. This method is used in forensic medicine.

The essence of the phenomenon

Endogenous alcohol is ethanol (ethyl alcohol), which is formed in the body under the influence of biochemical processes and is concentrated in the cells of internal organs and tissues. Its content in the blood does not exceed 1 mg/l (0.1 ppm), depending on the nature of the food consumed and the presence of certain pathological conditions. Thus, with a diet based on carbohydrates, accelerated synthesis of endogenous alcohol occurs. Its level also increases with a lack of oxygen, with diabetes, obstructive bronchitis, liver and kidney diseases.

The main difference between ordinary alcohol and endogenous or natural (as it is sometimes called) is that the first is excreted by the body through the liver and pores, and the second is broken down, participating in psychophysiological processes, and is the main source of energy when a person adapts to unfavorable conditions .

Question answer

Why are men allowed to drink more than women? Endogenous alcohol participates in the metabolic processes of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin, in the synthesis of endorphins, strengthens cell membranes, and replenishes the body with energy to overcome stress. When difficult life situations arise, he is most active. At the same time, when drinking regular alcohol, especially when it is abused, the speed of achieving one or another reaction (for example, calming) increases, but in the long term, resistance to stress decreases, and the synthesis of endogenous alcohol slows down. Therefore, when a stressful situation occurs, there is no need to drink alcoholic beverages; the effect of natural alcohol is quite sufficient to calm the body.

The body directs endogenous alcohol to solve several problems at once. Thus, it is responsible for providing energy during severe overexertion, helps correct the functioning of the nervous system, strengthens cell membranes, activates metabolic processes in cellular structures, and improves the condition of the walls of blood vessels. At the same time, the body produces it in sufficient quantities to solve these problems. So no additional recharge is required.

A decrease in endogenous alcohol in the blood is facilitated by strong negative emotions, excessive physical exertion, states of shock or shock, hypothermia and frequent stress. But you can stimulate the formation of natural alcohol with positive emotions, a state of love.

How to speed up ethanol elimination

• 
  Sleep. The euphoria and vigor that arises against the background of intoxication is usually replaced by severe drowsiness. You shouldn’t resist and suppress your fatigue with coffee or other energy drinks - this can lead to serious sleep disorders. It is better to lie down to rest and postpone all “resuscitation measures” until you wake up.

• Take adsorbents, drugs from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Paracetamol, etc.).
• Drink more fluids. It is better to quench your thirst with brine or electrolyte solutions (for example, Regidron).
• Take a contrast shower. Changing the water temperature improves microcirculation and helps saturate tissues with oxygen.
• Take a walk in the fresh air. If you have a hangover, and especially while alcohol is still in the blood, active sports are not the best option. But taking a walk in the nearest park or just around the house is a good way to speed up your metabolism.

You should not relieve withdrawal symptoms with a new portion of alcohol. In case of severe intoxication, this will cause vomiting, and in case of addiction, it can cause binge drinking. An uncontrollable desire to get hungover is the main sign of the second stage of alcoholism and a good reason to contact a narcologist.

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