As an expert in the field of health and wellness, I would like to address the question of how many drinks one can have in an hour by discussing the concept of Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) and the effects of alcohol consumption.

Alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream through the stomach and small intestine. The rate at which alcohol is absorbed can vary based on several factors including the individual's body weight, sex, metabolism, and whether food is consumed with the alcohol. It's important to note that alcohol affects everyone differently, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question.

The Drinks per hour rule you mentioned is a general guideline that attempts to estimate how alcohol consumption can affect a person's BAC. According to this rule, consuming 2 standard drinks within the first hour can raise a person's BAC to approximately 0.05%. A standard drink is typically defined as containing about 14 grams of pure alcohol, which is roughly equivalent to:

- 12 ounces of beer (with about 5% alcohol content)
- 5 ounces of wine (with about 12% alcohol content)
- 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits (with about 40% alcohol content)

After the first hour, consuming 1 standard drink per hour is said to maintain that BAC level of 0.05%. However, this is a very rough estimate and does not account for the many variables that can influence how alcohol affects an individual.

It's crucial to understand that BAC levels of 0.05% can already impair a person's ability to drive safely. In many jurisdictions, the legal limit for driving under the influence is 0.08% BAC, and reaching this level can occur much more quickly than one might think, especially if drinks are consumed rapidly or on an empty stomach.

Moreover, the body can only metabolize a certain amount of alcohol per hour, which is about 0.015% BAC for the average adult. This means that even if a person follows the "drinks per hour" rule, they could still exceed the legal limit if they start with a high initial BAC or if they consume alcohol faster than their body can process it.

Drinking alcohol also has other health risks, including long-term effects on the liver, increased risk of certain cancers, and potential for addiction. It's always best to drink responsibly and be aware of your limits.

In conclusion, while the "drinks per hour" rule provides a basic framework for understanding how alcohol might affect a person's BAC, it is not a safe or accurate measure for determining how much one can drink without experiencing negative effects or legal consequences. It is always safer to consume alcohol in moderation and never drive or operate machinery while under the influence.

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Drinks per hour rule. The general rule of thumb is that 2 standard drinks in the first hour will raise your BAC to 0.05%, and 1 standard per hour thereafter will maintain that level.Feb 12, 2016read more >>