What is BAC, or Blood Alcohol Content?
When we speak about Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) we are speaking about how much alcohol is in a person’s blood. It is measured as weight per unit of volume and often is reported in a percentage, like 0.10% – one-tenth of a percent of a person’s blood is alcohol. Perhaps what you really need to know is that alcohol is a depressant drug that slows down the central nervous system. Depending on how much is consumed, it causes a decrease in motor coordination, slows down reaction time, and impairs intellectual performance. The Great Equation Here’s a great equation to learn that shows how excessive alcohol use can cause intellectual impairment. You’ll need to know the following definitions: B = Behavior, I = Intellect, E = Emotion, ETOH = Alcohol.