You are a good mom who follows the law and would never drive drunk. So how do you find yourself facing DWI charges after having one drink at lunch with a friend? The reason may be due to biology.
The fact is that women’s bodies process alcohol differently than men’s. Alcohol also has a stronger effect on women. Any of the following factors could explain your high blood alcohol concentration and minor impairment although you limited your alcohol intake.
Smaller physical size
Women tend to be smaller than men in general. Because the measurement of BAC is a percentage, having a smaller body means you will have a higher concentration of alcohol in your bloodstream than a larger male who consumed the same amount of alcohol. Females also have less total body water to dilute the alcohol, further contributing to a high BAC.
Slower metabolism
Dehydrogenase is an enzyme in the body that breaks down alcohol. Women have a lower amount of this enzyme, so they usually metabolize alcohol at a slower rate. This means that even if you think enough time has passed since you drank, alcohol may still be in your body.
Other factors
There are other factors that may have affected your BAC that are not dependent on your sex, such as:
- Your age
- Your weight
- What you ate beforehand and when
- How quickly you drank
- Prescription drugs you are taking
- Medical conditions you have
Many things influence how your body processes alcohol. An experienced criminal defense attorney can help determine if any of these affected your BAC or driving in a way that may reduce the charges and penalties.
