Final answer:
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) increases with alcohol consumption, leading to varying levels of impairment. Legally, a BAC of 0.08% is often considered intoxicated, and alcohol is metabolized at a steady rate by the liver, unaffected by interventions like coffee or cold showers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question relates to the effects of alcohol on the body, focusing specifically on blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and its associated risks and metabolism. When someone consumes 5-7 alcoholic drinks within 3 hours, they may reach a BAC of approximately 0.13-0.15%, which signifies a high level of impairment. Factors like the social environment and personality traits can influence drinking behavior, and the diagnosis of intoxication is primarily based on a physical examination and history of the events.
Acute alcohol intoxication begins to occur after the consumption of multiple alcoholic drinks with legal intoxication, often defined as a BAC of 0.08% in many places. The metabolism of alcohol occurs at a constant rate, approximately 15 mg/dL per hour, meaning moderation is essential, and there are no shortcuts to sobering up. Devices like the Breathalyzer are used to measure a person's BAC accurately.