Citation

Dittmar EA, Dorian V. J. Can. Soc. Forensic Sci. 1987; 20(2): 61-69.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1987, Canadian Society of Forensic Science, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00085030.1987.10756942

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Subjects consumed 0.28 g/kg (females) or 0.33 g/kg (males) of 40% v/v diluted pure ethanol during a forty-minute period. Blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) were determined by breath samples introduced into Borkenstein Breathalyzers. When a constant BAC was maintained for at least fifteen minutes (approximately one hour after the end of drinking), the subjects consumed a further 0.86 g/kg (females) or 1.00 g/kg (males) of 40% v/v diluted pure ethanol within five minutes. The data were compared with data from subjects in the postabsorptive state who consumed only 40% v/v diluted pure ethanol within five minutes. The time to the maximum BAC and the length of the plateau were shorter when a period of "social" drinking preceded the bolus consumption of alcohol. It is proposed that the period of "social" drinking increased the permeability of the gastric mucosa to H+ ions to such an extent that the enterogastric inhibitory reflex was diminished. This would facilitate gastric emptying and result in increased rates of alcohol absorption.