Beer is one of the most common drinks in pubs and restaurants in the US. Some of them can be light or dark brown, and their alcohol content can range between 3% to 13% ABV (alcohol by volume).
Despite its aroma and rich flavor (for some beer types), still you need to be cautious with your drinking habits. We’re emphasizing that since alcohol poisoning is pretty rampant these days, especially on weekends or during holidays.
Let’s get to know if beer can really induce alcohol poisoning or not.
Does Beer Give You A Different Drunk?
Basically, alcohol is alcohol, no matter what kind of alcoholic beverage you’re drinking on a weekend or during occasions. If you compare the alcohol content of beer from vodka, the latter definitely has higher alcohol.
The main difference when you take various drinks lies in how long you get drunk. If you’re having a beer and your friend’s having a rum, it’s possible that your friend will get drunk faster if you’re drinking the same quantity and if both you have the same level of alcohol tolerance.
One standard drink is equivalent to one 12 fl oz of beer with 5% alcohol content and it’s taken once per hour. If you have three or more drinks in less than an hour, then expect your reflexes to slow down, or you can’t balance anymore.
Can 1 Beer Kill You?
Definitely, one beer cannot kill you, but taking more than five drinks in less than an hour can surely impair your movements and thinking. This is related to your alcohol tolerance and the alcohol content of your beer.
Binge drinking and alcohol poisoning are related to each other since the former is the reason why you’ll get the latter. You get poisoned with alcohol when you have too much in your system, and this practically happens when you intake so many drinks in a shorter time.
So What’s Alcohol Poisoning?
As the term implies, your body has its limitations when it comes to blood alcohol concentration (BAC). There are specific intervals where you’ll have certain symptoms for having excess alcohol in your blood.
When you have so many drinks (like 5 drinks or more) in a shorter duration, then you’re at risk of alcohol poisoning. It’s a dangerous condition since your heart, brain, and lungs are severely depressed due to intense alcohol levels in your system.
Additionally, here are some specific blood alcohol contents (BACs) with their respective symptoms:
- 00% – 0.05% BAC: You’re in a mild alcohol impairment state where the usual symptoms are slurred speech and feeling sleepy.
- 06% – 0.15% BAC: The symptoms in mild alcohol impairment are amplified at this level. Moreover, your driving skills are greatly affected as well.
- 16% – 0.30% BAC: Your fine and coarse motor coordination skills are further impaired. Alongside this, your decision-making skills are gone.
- 31% – 0.45% BAC: Alcohol poisoning starts at this level, where your brain, heart, and lungs are severely depressed, so you have low breathing patterns and heartbeat.
What are observable symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning?
Alcohol is a strong depressant, so if you have too much in your blood, then it can greatly slow down your vital life functions. Having said that, here are some notable signs of alcohol poisoning:
- Lips and fingernails turn a bluish color
- Cold and clammy skin
- Depressed reflexes and confusion
- Inability to walk, stand, or drive
- Inability to stay awake
- Feeling intensely cold
- Pulse rate and breathing patterns drop below normal
- Inability to control their bladder and bowel movement
- Vomiting and nausea
- Choking
When you see these signs, it’s best to call the ambulance right away. You can also apply for first aid while help is still on its way.
How Many Beers Per Day Until You’re Considered an Alcoholic?
Basically, you’re considered an alcoholic when you don’t feel normal or right when you cannot have a drink or a sip of beer or alcohol in a day.
In contrast, binge drinkers are different since they drink too much on certain days, yet they’re not 100% dependent on alcohol. Binge drinking happens when you have 5 or more drinks for men, while 4 or more drinks for women in less than two hours.
Additionally, you’re considered an alcoholic and a heavy drinker when you have four drinks on any day, or you have 14 or more drinks in a week.
Is it Alright to Have One Beer A Day?
Many people consider beer as a good summer drink because of its rich aroma and subtle flavor. However, you still need to keep an eye on your drinking patterns to avoid binge drinking and developing a tolerance.
Conversely, a good rule of thumb for healthy drinking is one beer or alcoholic drink per day, or around three to four drinking days in a week. Having said that, it is important to steer away from any alcohol if you already have a hard time controlling your alcohol intake.
How Long Can You Live Drinking 12 Beers Daily?
Besides its alcohol content, beer also contains sugar, approximately 150 calories per 12 ounces of beer. Consequently, if you have 12 beers in a day, then you have 1,800 extra calories on your system, which can greatly increase your weight.
Considering its calories and alcohol content, if you take 12 beers per day, then you’ll likely have liver cirrhosis within 10-12 years. Therefore, you need to drink moderately, to avoid liver cancer and obesity.
Need Help With Your Drinking Problems?
If you’re suffering from alcohol dependence, then don’t hesitate to consult with your trusted doctor or addiction specialist. These professionals will give you a sound and personalized treatment plan that’ll help you overcome your alcohol dependence.
Additionally, you can also enroll in an alcohol rehab program from a trusted rehab facility near you. They will provide you a safe and homey environment that’ll help you achieve sobriety.
