It's no secret that different alcoholic beverages can contain different levels of alcoholic content. While shots of hard liquor can have an almost immediate effect on the person who drinks them, it may take two or three beers before an individual starts feeling any of the effects of the drink. Wine may affect a person later one, while a strong mixed drink may give the customer a buzz right off the bat. Different types of alcohol can also cause a person's BAC level to rise at a quicker or slower rate. While almost all different alcohols can result in intoxication when they are consumed at moderate to high levels, some drinks will cause a person's BAC to rise quicker than others.

Beer is the most common alcoholic drink and is consumed by most adults. In moderation, beer won't have a significant effect on the drinker, but after multiple glasses it can slowly cause a person's BAC to rise above the legal limit. Beer is made from malt, hops, water and yeast. It contains a number of minerals, vitamins and carbohydrates.

Wine is another common drink that can lead to intoxication faster than beer can in most cases. Those that take shots of alcohol or have mixed drinks with spirits are at an increased risk to intoxication. Regardless of which alcoholic beverage you consume, your weight will play a large part in your BAC level. A petite 100 pound woman will reach 0,08% on only one or two drinks, whereas a man who weighs 240 pounds may need to drink up to six beers in an hour to reach the BAC limit and be considered an illegal driver.

Sometimes, mixing drinks can cause your BAC to rise more rapidly. A study done by the New York Daily News shows that those who mixed vodka with diet soda had breath alcohol concentrations that were 18% higher than those who mixed their vodka with regular soda. This means that if you are having a Diet Coke and vodka combination you may reach the illegal limit faster than your friend who opted for a regular coke and vodka. Those who do not have food in their stomach or do not eat when drinking alcohol may also produce a high BAC faster. It is important that you shouldn't gauge your alcoholic consumption on whether or not your drink "tastes" like alcohol. A spike punch that masks the taste of alcohol may have as much of an effect on your body as a shot of tequila.

Despite common belief, drinking coffee is not an effective way to reduce your BAC level. In fact, drinking coffee after an alcoholic beverage will only lead to discomfort. Also, eating breath mint after drinking alcohol will not fool a police officer by reducing the scent of alcohol on your breath or reducing the possibility of registering high on a breath test. A breath tests is not measuring the content of the scent of alcohol on your breath, but the actual level of alcoholic compounds in the body. Therefore, a breath mint is not going to reduce the presence of the alcohol in your system.

It is also a myth that taking a cold shower or splashing cold water on your face will help to sober you up. These actions will not reduce the amount of alcohol in your blood, and therefore won't change your BAC or make it safe for you to drive. Some individuals will suggest jogging around the block a few times before getting in the car to drive away after drinking. This also will have no effect on the BAC within your system and will not cause you to become sober. Contact an attorney today if you want more information about DUI offenses or want to discuss your alcoholic content at the time of your arrest.