Blood Alcohol Estimator CardBesides conducting research to help develop better treatments for alcoholism, the Charleston Alcohol Research Center wants to help prevent alcohol problems in our community. For example, researchers at the Alcohol Research Center volunteer their time to give talks at area schools and churches about the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse. Our most recent outreach effort is a Blood Alcohol Estimator card. It's the size of a credit card and allows you estimate your blood alcohol level for your weight and sex. We realize that most people who have one drink have no reservation about driving afterward. This may well be a reasonable assumption. The question is, at what point is this dangerous? After 2 drinks? After 3? Undoubtedly, the safest practice is not to drive if you've been drinking. Research shows that reaction time is affected at a blood alcohol level of .04-- this is lower than the legal driving limit. The most important goal is to avoid injuring yourself or others. Avoiding a DUI is secondary to this. A wise practice is to refrain from driving if your blood alcohol level is .04 or higher. In most states, including South Carolina, you can be charged with driving under the influence (DUI)/driving while intoxicated (DWI) if your blood alcohol level is .08 or higher. We are providing the Blood Alcohol Estimator card free of charge with the hope that people will use it to make smart decisions about drinking and driving. To receive a Blood Alcohol Estimator card, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: Dr. Suzanne Thomas
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