1. What is the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for driving in the United States? How does

alcohol affect the ability to drive safely?

- The legal BAC limit for driving in the United States is 0.08% for drivers aged 21 and older, and 0.02% for

drivers under 21. Alcohol affects the ability to drive safely by impairing the vision, reaction time,

coordination, judgment, and decision-making of the driver. Alcohol can also cause drowsiness, which

increases the risk of falling asleep at the wheel.

2. What are some short-term and long-term health effects of excessive alcohol consumption? How can these

effects be prevented or treated?

- Some short-term health effects of excessive alcohol consumption are dehydration, nausea, vomiting,

headache, hangover, blackouts, and alcohol poisoning. Some long-term health effects are liver damage,

pancreatitis, gastritis, ulcers, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, cancer, brain damage, memory loss, and mental

disorders. These effects can be prevented by drinking moderately or abstaining from alcohol, and treated by

seeking medical help or counseling when needed.

3. What are some signs and symptoms of alcohol dependence or addiction? How can one assess the severity

of their alcohol problem?

- Some signs and symptoms of alcohol dependence or addiction are craving or feeling a strong need to

drink, being unable to control or limit the amount or frequency of drinking, experiencing withdrawal

symptoms when not drinking, such as tremors, sweating, anxiety, or insomnia, neglecting other

responsibilities or interests because of drinking, continuing to drink despite negative consequences on

health, relationships, work, or legal issues, and needing more alcohol to achieve the same effect or feeling

less effect from the same amount of alcohol. One can assess the severity of their alcohol problem by using

screening tools such as the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) or the CAGE questionnaire,

which ask about the frequency, quantity, and impact of alcohol use.

4. What are some factors that influence the risk of developing alcohol use disorder (AUD)? How can one

reduce their risk of developing AUD?

- Some factors that influence the risk of developing AUD are genetic factors, such as having a family history

of AUD or having certain genes that affect how the body metabolizes alcohol; environmental factors, such

as being exposed to peer pressure, stress, trauma, violence, or availability of alcohol; psychological factors,

such as having low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, or other mental health problems; and social factors,

such as having poor social support, isolation, or cultural norms that encourage heavy drinking. One can

reduce their risk of developing AUD by being aware of these factors and avoiding or coping with them in

healthy ways; by setting limits on their alcohol intake and sticking to them; by seeking help from friends,

family, professionals, or support groups if they have a problem with alcohol; and by finding alternative ways

to relax,

have fun, or deal with emotions without relying on alcohol.