Blood Alcohol Content

When a person drinks an alcoholic beverage, most of the alcohol is absorbed in the stomach and small intestine. After absorption, the alcohol enters the bloodstream. In a similar mechanism, when a person ingests drugs by mouth, they are digested and the components enter the bloodstream.

The blood carries the alcohol throughout the body. Once absorbed into the body tissues, the blood alcohol level exerts its effects on the body. The observed effects depend directly on the blood alcohol content (BAC), which is related to the amount of alcohol consumed. The BAC can rise significantly within 20 minutes after having a drink.