2
BAC Dose-Specic Effects 1
0.020-0.039% 2Generally no loss of coordination. Slight joy or loss of shyness.
Depressant effects are not clear.
0.040-0.069%
General feelings of well-being, relaxation, shyness is reduced and
sensation of warmth. Joy. Some minor impairment of reasoning and
memory. Lowering of caution. Driving skills may be impaired.
0.070-0.099%
Slight impairment of balance, speech, vision, reaction time, and hearing.
Joy. Judgment and self-control are reduced. Caution, reason and
memory are impaired. Driving skills are always impaired.
0.100-0.129%
Major impairment of motor coordination and loss of good judgment.
Speech may be slurred. Balance, vision, reaction time and hearing will
be impaired. Joy.
0.130-0.159%
Gross motor impairment and lack of physical control. Blurred vision and
major loss of balance. Joy reduced and state of feeling unwell begins
to appear.
0.160-0.249% Anxiety, restlessness predominates. Nausea may appear. Appearance
of a “sloppy drunk.”
0.250%-0.299% Needs assistance in walking. Total mental confusion. State of feeling
unwell with nausea and some vomiting.
0.300%-0.399% Loss of consciousness.
0.400% + Onset of coma. Possible death due to respiratory arrest. 3
2Bailey, William J., Drug Use in American Society, 3rd ed., Minneapolis: Burgess, 1993.
3Some individual’s may experience impairment at BAC levels at .03% or even lower.
4Death can occur at a lower BAC level in some individuals.
