Approaching Mindaugava Day: can we really get behind the wheel the next morning after one pint of beer?
Doctors have noticed an increase in the number of patients presenting to medical facilities for alcohol-related ailments during the summer bank holiday weekends. "After Midsummer and Mindaugava, there is always an increase in the number of patients who turn up not only for various digestive problems, but also for injuries sustained in traffic accidents. The most common cause of such injuries is drunk driving," says Vidmantas Dovydėnas, a senior family doctor in the Vilnius Region at Affidea Medical and Surgical Centre.
The rate at which alcohol is eliminated from the body depends on the characteristics of each person's body, as well as other factors such as metabolic rate, gender, age and even race.
"Metabolism is influenced by the amount of adipose tissue and water in the body. Ethanol is a water-soluble substance, so the higher the water content of the body and the lower the amount of adipose tissue, the more ethanol is distributed in the body and the lower the concentration in the bloodstream. For example, women have a higher relative amount of adipose tissue than men, so the concentration of ethanol in the bloodstream will be higher for the same amount of alcohol consumed. However, due to its lower tissue distribution, alcohol is metabolised and eliminated from the body slightly faster. Race also has an influence. Asians have lower or no levels of certain enzymes that are needed for faster alcohol metabolism. Northern and eastern Europeans have more of these enzymes, which means that alcohol is eliminated more quickly," says Mr Dovydėnas.
According to the doctor, on an empty stomach, the maximum concentration of alcohol in the bloodstream is reached within half an hour and up to 2 hours. On average, about 15 mg of alcohol is eliminated per hour. Here, the body of a person with a normal build, weighing 70 kg, can on average break down up to 250 mg of pure ethanol.
"However, depending on the amount of alcohol consumed, it can still be detected in the body 24-36 hours after the last alcoholic drink," explains the doctor.
Depending on the amount of alcohol consumed, it can be detected in the body 24-36 hours after the last alcoholic drink
One pint of beer is freezing
Even a single beer or glass of wine can disrupt a person's sleep and, the next morning, his or her psychological state.
"Many people like to say 'it's just one innocent glass', 'you won't even feel it'. But in fact, even such a small amount of alcohol affects sleep. The quality of sleep is significantly reduced. It reduces the all-important deep sleep time. As a result, the next day when a person wakes up, he or she often feels tired, drowsy or weak. In addition, even a small amount of alcohol can lead to an imbalance of electrolytes in the body, dehydrating the body. All of this affects a person's reaction and decision-making speed. That's why a glass of wine or a glass of beer can be a driving hazard even the next day," says the doctor.
According to the expert, there is only one way to know if it is safe to get behind the wheel of a car the morning after drinking alcohol: "It's a breathalyser test. It is the only way to tell if the body has been fully 'cleansed' of alcohol. There is no other way. And it's best not to drive at all after a party".
According to experts, it is not necessary to invest in expensive multiple breathalysers and calibrate them in order to check your sobriety and avoid accidents on the road due to alcohol residue.
"The market now also offers disposable, inexpensive but effective breathalysers. And by following simple instructions, people can check their sobriety in just 2 minutes," says Gintarė Žukauskienė, a representative of Testera, a product line that offers self-monitoring tests, and a sales manager at pharmacy chains.
