Stages of Alcohol Intoxication
| Blood Alcohol Concentration | Stage | Clinical symptoms |
| 0.01 – 0.05 | Subclinical | Behavior nearly normal by ordinary observation |
| 0.03 – 0.12 | Euphoria | Mild euphoria, sociability, talkativeness Increased self-confidence; decreased inhibitions Diminution of attention, judgment and control Beginning of sensory-motor impairment Loss of efficiency in finer performance tests |
| 0.09 – 0.25 | Excitement | Emotional instability; loss of critical judgment Impairment of perception, memory and comprehension Decreased sensatory response; increased reaction time Reduced visual acuity; peripheral vision and glare recovery Sensory-motor incoordination; impaired balance Drowsiness |
| 0.18 – 0.30 | Confusion | Disorientation, mental confusion; dizziness Exaggerated emotional states Disturbances of vision and of perception of color, form, motion and dimensions Increased pain threshold Increased muscular incoordination; staggering gait; slurred speech Apathy, lethargy |
| 0.25 – 0.40 | Stupor | General inertia; approaching loss of motor functions Markedly decreased response to stimuli Marked muscular incoordination; inability to stand or walk Vomiting; incontinence Impaired consciousness; sleep or stupor |
| 0.35 – 0.50 | Coma | Complete unconsciousness Depressed or abolished reflexes Subnormal body temperature Incontinence Impairment of circulation and respiration Possible death |
| 0.45 + | Death | Death from respiratory arrest |
This table titled “Stages of alcohol intoxication” is from K.M. Dubowski, one of the leading experts on the medical legal aspects of alcohol use in the United States.
