Alcohol Laws in Iowa
- You must be 21 years of age to drink alcohol in Iowa, but you can work as a server in a restaurant, as a bartender, or in a state-owned package store at age 18 (and still be able to serve it).
- Previously opened containers of alcohol must be transported in the car’s trunk so that the driver and passengers do not have access.
- The maximum allowable blood-alcohol content (BAC) for a driver in Iowa is .08 percent. Over this amount, a driver can be charged with a DUI (driving under the influence).
- Drivers under the age of 21 may legally have only a .02 percent BAC level. Above this, the underage driver is subject to DUI penalties.
- Implied consent laws’ require drivers suspected of DUI to comply with breath, blood, or urine testing for intoxication. Refusal can mean mandatory suspension of the driver’s license for up to one year.
- DUI conviction may mean suspension of the driver’s license by the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles). For the first conviction mandatory suspension is 180 days; for the second offense, one year; for the third offense, two years.
- In Iowa, vehicle confiscation is not a penalty option for the courts, but attachment of an ignition interlock device is a possibility. At the driver’s expense, this device requires the driver to perform a breath-test before the vehicle will start.
- First DUI, you could face 2 days - 1 year of jail time. The fine can range from $625-$1,250. On the second offense there is a minimum jail time of 7 days. For the third offense you could face 30+ days of jail time. After that it is considered a felony.
- Along with your offense the court may order you to: Substance Abuse Evaluation, Substance Abuse Treatment, Substance Abuse Reality Program, Attend Drinking Drivers Course, or Community Service.
0.02-0.03 BAC: No loss of coordination, slight euphoria and loss of shyness. Depressant effects are not apparent. Mildly relaxed and maybe a little lightheaded.
0.04-0.06 BAC : Feeling of well-being, relaxation, lower inhibitions, sensation of warmth. Euphoria. Some minor impairment of reasoning and memory, lowering of caution. Your behavior may become exaggerated and emotions intensified (Good emotions are better, bad emotions are worse)
0.07-0.09 BAC : Slight impairment of balance, speech, vision, reaction time, and hearing. Euphoria. Judgment and self-control are reduced, and caution, reason and memory are impaired, .08 is legally impaired and it is illegal to drive at this level. You will probably believe that you are functioning better than you really are.
0.10-0.125 BAC : Significant impairment of motor coordination and loss of good judgment. Speech may be slurred; balance, vision, reaction time and hearing will be impaired. Euphoria.
0.13-0.15 BAC : Gross motor impairment and lack of physical control. Blurred vision and major loss of balance. Euphoria is reduced and dysphoria (anxiety, restlessness) is beginning to appear. Judgment and perception are severely impaired.
0.16-0.19 BAC : Dysphoria predominates, nausea may appear. The drinker has the appearance of a "sloppy drunk."
0.20 BAC : Felling dazed, confused or otherwise disoriented. May need help to stand or walk. If you injure yourself you may not feel the pain. Some people experience nausea and vomiting at this level. The gag reflex is impaired and you can choke if you do vomit. Blackouts are likely at this level so you may not remember what has happened.
0.25 BAC : All mental, physical and sensory functions are severely impaired. Increased risk of asphyxiation from choking on vomit and of seriously injuring yourself by falls or other accidents.
0.30 BAC : STUPOR. You have little comprehension of where you are. You may pass out suddenly and be difficult to awaken.
0.35 BAC: Coma is possible. This is the level of surgical anesthesia.
0.40 BAC and up : Onset of coma, and possible death due to
respiratory arrest.
0.04-0.06 BAC : Feeling of well-being, relaxation, lower inhibitions, sensation of warmth. Euphoria. Some minor impairment of reasoning and memory, lowering of caution. Your behavior may become exaggerated and emotions intensified (Good emotions are better, bad emotions are worse)
0.07-0.09 BAC : Slight impairment of balance, speech, vision, reaction time, and hearing. Euphoria. Judgment and self-control are reduced, and caution, reason and memory are impaired, .08 is legally impaired and it is illegal to drive at this level. You will probably believe that you are functioning better than you really are.
0.10-0.125 BAC : Significant impairment of motor coordination and loss of good judgment. Speech may be slurred; balance, vision, reaction time and hearing will be impaired. Euphoria.
0.13-0.15 BAC : Gross motor impairment and lack of physical control. Blurred vision and major loss of balance. Euphoria is reduced and dysphoria (anxiety, restlessness) is beginning to appear. Judgment and perception are severely impaired.
0.16-0.19 BAC : Dysphoria predominates, nausea may appear. The drinker has the appearance of a "sloppy drunk."
0.20 BAC : Felling dazed, confused or otherwise disoriented. May need help to stand or walk. If you injure yourself you may not feel the pain. Some people experience nausea and vomiting at this level. The gag reflex is impaired and you can choke if you do vomit. Blackouts are likely at this level so you may not remember what has happened.
0.25 BAC : All mental, physical and sensory functions are severely impaired. Increased risk of asphyxiation from choking on vomit and of seriously injuring yourself by falls or other accidents.
0.30 BAC : STUPOR. You have little comprehension of where you are. You may pass out suddenly and be difficult to awaken.
0.35 BAC: Coma is possible. This is the level of surgical anesthesia.
0.40 BAC and up : Onset of coma, and possible death due to
respiratory arrest.
Under Age Drinking Laws in Iowa
- You can drink on private, non alcohol-selling premises, with parental consent.
- When licensees (their employees and agents), sell, give, or otherwise supply an alcoholic beverage to someone under the legal-drinking age, licensees (their employees and agents) may be charged and convicted in criminal court. The criminal penalty imposed by the courts is a simple misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $1,500 when the violation is committed by the licensee or $500 when the violation is committed by the licensee's employee or agent.
- When a minor purchases or attempts to purchase, or has an alcoholic beverage in their control or possession, the minor may be charged and convicted in criminal court. First violation - simple misdemeanor punishable by a $100 fine. Second violation - simple misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $500. In addition to any other applicable penalty, the person in violation shall choose between either completing a substance abuse evaluation or the suspension of the person's motor vehicle operating privileges for a period not to exceed one year. Third violation - simple misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $500 and the suspension of the person's motor vehicle operating privileges for a period not to exceed one year.
Alcoholic Terms
Blackout - phenomenon caused by the intake of an alcoholic beverage or other substance in which long term memory creation is impaired or there is a complete inability to recall the past.
Passing out - when an individual loses consciousness due to a dangerously high blood alcohol concentration.
Binge drinking - heavy consumption of alcohol over a short period of time (5+ drinks in a row).
Alcohol poisoning - when someone consumes a toxic (deadly) amount of alcohol, usually over a short period.
Loss of inhibitions - when you agree to do something that you normally wouldn't agree to because your under the influence.
Blackout - phenomenon caused by the intake of an alcoholic beverage or other substance in which long term memory creation is impaired or there is a complete inability to recall the past.
Passing out - when an individual loses consciousness due to a dangerously high blood alcohol concentration.
Binge drinking - heavy consumption of alcohol over a short period of time (5+ drinks in a row).
Alcohol poisoning - when someone consumes a toxic (deadly) amount of alcohol, usually over a short period.
Loss of inhibitions - when you agree to do something that you normally wouldn't agree to because your under the influence.
Alcohol and Pregnancy
Drinking alcohol while pregnant is not healthy for you or you child. If you drink while pregnant there is an increased risk for your child to have fetal alcohol syndrome. A child's liver can not break down alcohol like an adults can. Along with the what the pictures describe below, the child will have learning learning/ behavioral problems, lack of judgement, and memory/attention issues.
Drinking alcohol while pregnant is not healthy for you or you child. If you drink while pregnant there is an increased risk for your child to have fetal alcohol syndrome. A child's liver can not break down alcohol like an adults can. Along with the what the pictures describe below, the child will have learning learning/ behavioral problems, lack of judgement, and memory/attention issues.
How alcohol is absorbed by the body
When alcohol is consumed, it passes from the stomach and intestines into the blood, a process referred to as absorption. Alcohol is then metabolized by enzymes, which are body chemicals that break down other chemicals. In the liver, an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) mediates the conversion of alcohol to acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde is rapidly converted to acetate by other enzymes and is eventually metabolized to carbon dioxide and water. Alcohol also is metabolized in the liver. Most of the alcohol consumed is metabolized in the liver, but the small quantity that remains unmetabolized permits alcohol concentration to be measured in breath and urine.
The liver can metabolize only a certain amount of alcohol per hour, regardless of the amount that has been consumed. The rate of alcohol metabolism depends, in part, on the amount of metabolizing enzymes in the liver, which varies among individuals. In general, after the consumption of one standard drink, the amount of alcohol in the drinker's blood (blood alcohol concentration, or BAC) peaks within 30 to 45 minutes. The BAC curve, shown below, provides an estimate of the time needed to absorb and metabolize different amounts of alcohol. Alcohol is metabolized more slowly than it is absorbed. Since the metabolism of alcohol is slow, consumption needs to be controlled to prevent accumulation in the body and intoxication.
When alcohol is consumed, it passes from the stomach and intestines into the blood, a process referred to as absorption. Alcohol is then metabolized by enzymes, which are body chemicals that break down other chemicals. In the liver, an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) mediates the conversion of alcohol to acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde is rapidly converted to acetate by other enzymes and is eventually metabolized to carbon dioxide and water. Alcohol also is metabolized in the liver. Most of the alcohol consumed is metabolized in the liver, but the small quantity that remains unmetabolized permits alcohol concentration to be measured in breath and urine.
The liver can metabolize only a certain amount of alcohol per hour, regardless of the amount that has been consumed. The rate of alcohol metabolism depends, in part, on the amount of metabolizing enzymes in the liver, which varies among individuals. In general, after the consumption of one standard drink, the amount of alcohol in the drinker's blood (blood alcohol concentration, or BAC) peaks within 30 to 45 minutes. The BAC curve, shown below, provides an estimate of the time needed to absorb and metabolize different amounts of alcohol. Alcohol is metabolized more slowly than it is absorbed. Since the metabolism of alcohol is slow, consumption needs to be controlled to prevent accumulation in the body and intoxication.
Things That Affect Alcohol Absorption Rate in the Body
Weight - women have a higher fat level and lower water level than men. This allows them to not take in as much alcohol as a guy.
Food - If you have food in your stomach it slows down the process. protein is especially helpful.
Drinking rate - the more you drink, the longer it takes to absorb.
Type of drink - Some drinks have more alcohol than others.
Carbonation/caffeine - makes absorption become faster.
Medications/drugs - can interfere with alcohol itself. (not necessary the absorption part)
Weight - women have a higher fat level and lower water level than men. This allows them to not take in as much alcohol as a guy.
Food - If you have food in your stomach it slows down the process. protein is especially helpful.
Drinking rate - the more you drink, the longer it takes to absorb.
Type of drink - Some drinks have more alcohol than others.
Carbonation/caffeine - makes absorption become faster.
Medications/drugs - can interfere with alcohol itself. (not necessary the absorption part)
How to say no to Alcohol
- Don't give in to peer pressure: No-one likes to feel left out and teenagers especially feel the need for acceptance by their peers. Teens with low self-esteem are more likely to develop problems with alcohol or drug abuse than those with a good self-esteem. It is therefore a good idea to attend programs or workshops, or engage in activities that build strong self-esteem. If your friends try to pressure you into something you don't want to do, they probably aren't your real friends.
- Make up an Excuse: Some valid excuses are that you have a test or an important game the following day. You can always say that you will get into serious trouble with your parents if you drink and you do not want to risk any more negative consequences at home. You can say that you have a health issue that can be made worse if you drink.
- Find Other Friends and Activities: If saying “No” is too difficult, then you have to make a choice about which friends you are hanging out with and the places you are going to. Try finding other activities to do for pleasure and to fill your free time with. You can play a sport such as volleyball, basketball or go bowling. Cycling, hiking, or camping are healthy outdoor and fun activities. You can go to the mall, the movies or to a show. If that is too expensive, you can rent a video and have some friends over and watch it together.
- Think about the results if you did drink: The important lesson to learn is that the choices you make now can affect your future, so choose wisely. Your actions today can determine your tomorrows. Make sure to live your life today in such a way that you will be able to look back on fond memories and not with regrets.
- Become a designated driver: If you are a designated driver, you have other people's lives in your hands. If you were to get into a crash because you had a drink and they died, would you be able to live with that guilt. The answer is probably not, so don't give in to alcohol.