When it comes to alcohol, there’s no shortage of myths and misconceptions. Many people are unaware of how alcohol truly affects their bodies, behaviour and even their workplace performance.
Understanding the facts is crucial, especially for employers managing workplace safety and productivity. To help clarify the truth about alcohol, we’ve compiled a list of questions and answers that may surprise you. Some may challenge what you thought you knew, while others highlight why alcohol management and testing in the workplace are essential.
Surprising alcohol facts
- Can alcohol stay in your system longer than you may think?
Yes, alcohol can remain detectable in a person’s system for longer than most people realise. While the body typically processes alcohol at about one standard drink per hour, traces can be found in urine for up to 80 hours, in blood for 12 hours and in hair for up to 90 days.
- Does eating food prevent intoxication?
No, food doesn’t prevent intoxication; it only slows down alcohol absorption. While eating before drinking can help mitigate some effects, consuming large amounts of alcohol will still lead to intoxication regardless of food intake.
- Can alcohol impact your work performance the next day?
Absolutely, even if you’re no longer intoxicated and your blood alcohol level is 0.0. In fact, alcohol can impair cognitive functions and physical performance for up to 24 hours after consumption. This is known as a hangover effect and can significantly impact workplace safety and productivity.
- Is alcohol a depressant or a stimulant?
Alcohol is primarily a depressant. It slows down the central nervous system, impairing coordination, reaction times and judgment. However, it can initially produce stimulant-like effects, such as increased sociability and energy, due to the release of dopamine.
- Can moderate drinking increase workplace risks?
Yes. Even moderate drinking, especially during work breaks or the night before, can reduce alertness and reaction times, increasing the risk of accidents in safety-critical environments. This is why some work environments, with significant safety risks, have a zero tolerance to alcohol.
- Does alcohol affect men and women differently?
Women typically feel the effects of alcohol more quickly than men due to differences in body composition and enzyme levels. Women have less of the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase, which breaks down alcohol, leading to higher blood alcohol concentrations.
- Can alcohol consumption affect medications?
Yes. Alcohol interacts with many medications, including over the counter and prescription drugs. These interactions can enhance or reduce the effectiveness of medications and sometimes cause dangerous side effects.
- Can you get drunk faster if you drink through a straw?
This is a common belief but it has no merit. Drinking through a straw doesn’t make you drunk faster. However, it may create the illusion of quicker intoxication due to the speed at which people tend to consume drinks when using a straw.
- Is it possible to be alcohol-dependent without drinking daily?
Yes. Alcohol dependence doesn’t require daily drinking. Binge drinkers or those who use alcohol to cope with stress can develop dependence even if they drink sporadically.
- Can drinking small amounts of alcohol improve health?
This is controversial. While some studies suggest moderate drinking, like a glass of red wine, may have heart benefits, recent research highlights that any amount of alcohol increases the risk of certain cancers and other health issues. If you want to choose the safest option, you are best to not consume alcohol at all.
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Think you know most of the answers to common questions about alcohol? Look at these FAQs to see how good your knowledge about alcohol really is.
