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DUI's and the Absorption of Alcohol | Best DUI Attorney in Fresno | Forensic DUI Expert witness / Affordable DUI Attorney

Should I wait at the bar and sober up for an hour or two before I drive?

That depends.  If you had completely finished absorbing alcohol into your blood, your liver would be metabolizing it, and your blood alcohol content would be decreasing.  However, every person is different and people commonly metabolize about .015-.02 per hour.  However, those number can vary greatly between people.  It is nearly impossible for any person to know their precise BAC after drinking.  It is also difficult to gauge the rate of absorption after consuming a beverage, absent chemical testing.  While a person may metabolize a standard drink, or maybe two of then in that time span, the total number of drinks consumed, the period of time they were consumed in, any stomach contents, and numerous other factors come into play.

I waited A couple hours after I quit drinking before I drove, I don't understand how I still had such a high blood alcohol Content?

As the above answer showed, people vary greatly between absorption and metabolism of alcohol.

Drinking Coffee should sober me up after I consume alcohol, right?

Coffee, with caffeine is a stimulant.  It can can stimulate a person and make them seem more awake.  It does not assist with the metabolism of alcohol.  It does not "sober" a person up. It may mask or counter act some of the depressant effects of alcohol, but it that is all.

I drank a bunch of water before I drove, that should have helped me sober up?

On a microcosmic level it may help saturate the system, increase the water content of the body, and help facilitate a passing of alcohol in the urine and/or sweat.  Alcohol is hydrophilic, meaning it is attracted to water, so it may even help delay absorption of alcohol by mixing with it in the stomach and slowing, or diluting it prior to reaching the small intestine.  A second theory is that adding water, or anything else in quantity to a stomach that already has alcohol inside of it, will cause the alcohol to pass, or be forced more rapidly through the pyloric valve and into the small intestine, where a majority of alcohol is absorbed into the blood stream.

So how does alcohol reach my blood stream?

It is fist swallowed, down the esophagus, and enters the stomach.  A percentage or portion of the alcohol is actually absorbed through the stomach, and into the blood.  However, a majority of the alcohol passes through the pyloric valve near the base of the stomach, and enters the small intestine.  Due to the large surface areas of the small intestine, it is the location where a majority of the absorption of the alcohol takes place.  After the stomach it moves into the portal, or hepatic vein, and travels to the liver, where a majority of the enzymes responsible for breaking down the alcohol, or metabolizing it, are at.

So how do I know if I am safe to drive an automobile after drinking?

A chemical test, or error on the side of caution and wait much longer than the science says an average person would need to wait.

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Experienced Fresno and Madera County Criminal Defense Attorney Jonathan Rooker understands the needs of each client are quite unique to each individual client. Some clients are looking to keep their drivers license, others are looking to avoid long periods of incarceration. Many times pride and principles are cited for the client's motivation to achieve a particular resolution to their case. Many clients just want to put their life, family, and career back together. It is the responsibility of the defense attorney to coordinate and effective defense for the benefit of the client. It is essential that I provide the best defense for the individual person and their specifically tailored needs in life. I will help you by building the best defense that the facts allow. One important aspect of hiring a private attorney is the time they spend listening to your needs, and working to obtain an effective resolution under the circumstances. When these problems arise, it's time to reach out for a helping hand. I handle criminal defense cases on a daily basis, helping people with their issues. Let me help you.

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