A new study co-led by The University of Queensland has established that Queenslanders cannot asses their intoxication levels more so when their blood alcohol level is high.
Queenslanders cannot tell their level of alcohol intoxication
Dominique De Andrade, Deakin University’s School of Psychology and UQ’s School of Psychology, said that the researchers used data from around 2,100 individuals in nightlife clubs in West End, Fortitude Valley, Cairns and Surfers Paradise. Researchers used breathalyzer devices to analyze relationships between an individual’s blood alcohol content and projected blood alcohol level.
The study’s goal was to understand whether inaccurate estimates were related to harm. Interestingly, researchers found that individuals that underestimated their blood alcohol level were more likely to have recently been expelled from a licensed premise.
Surprisingly, the individuals were no longer likely to be denied service, experienced verbal or physical aggression, and were driven under the influence. In addition, those slightly intoxicated or sober were most likely to overestimate the level of alcohol in their blood.
Therefore this suggests that individuals that consume few drinks could have significantly underestimated the rate at which the body metabolizes alcohol.
Australians consume at least four standard drinks once a month
A quarter of Australians reportedly consume at least four standard drinks in a single sitting once a month. This consumption rate is related to acute alcohol-related problems. Alcohol consumption is said to be a trigger in around 73% of all assaults and 30% of car crashes that involve serious injury.
Associate Professors Jason Ferris at UQ’s Center for Health Services Research says that education is necessary to understand ways the body metabolizes alcohol. Dr Ferris said that findings show that individuals are still unaware of alcohol metabolism rate and how liquor affects their bodies.
Additionally, when someone drinks, the effect is felt in the nightlife setting, including emergency staff and venue staff. Although drinking alcohol is part of the experience of going to a nightclub, alcohol-related damages inflict a high but avoidable cost on the economy, the general public and the health care system.
