Blood Alcohol

About

When alcohol is drunk, it is absorbed by the stomach and intestine and then carried throughout the body in the blood. Small amounts are passed out in the urine, but the majority is broken down by the liver. The liver can process approximately one unit of alcohol an hour. Alcohol affects your body in a number of ways and can impact on your short and long term health. Small amounts of alcohol in the body can cause excitement, decreased inhibition and relaxation, but can also impair hand-eye coordination and cause poor judgement. Consuming large volumes of alcohol in a short period of time can cause alcohol poisoning while consumption of large quantities over a long period of time can lead to alcoholism and other medical problems including permanent liver damage.

What might a high result mean?

High levels of alcohol in the blood can take its toll on many organs in the body, damaging the brain, liver, nervous system and heart. Heavy drinking can also increase your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which increases your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Long-term misuse weakens the immune system, making you more vulnerable to serious infections.