What is BAC? Describe the general sequence of physiological events that takes place when a person drinks alcohol at a rate faster then the liver can oxidize it.
Answer: BAC is an acronym for blood alcohol concentration which increases as alcohol is consumed faster than it can be removed by the liver. Once BAC increases above zero, one can see the beginning signs of alcohol as it affects both mood and behavior. People will begin to lose inhibitions as well as having impaired judgement. As BAC continues to rise, one may lose speech, vision, motor skills, and hearing. In most states, .08% alcohol level is the legal limit. The greater increase in BAC, the greater chance of acute intoxication. Generally, at .50% BAC, acute alcohol intoxication risk is significant. At .2%, individuals will become disoriented and could experience blackouts. If levels increase high enough, people could experience death after falling into a coma.