The ethanol contained in alcoholic beverages is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal
tract and the maximum blood‐alcohol concentration (BAC) is usually reached between 10
and 60 min postdosing. Once in the bloodstream, ethanol is distributed into the total body
water (TBW) compartment, which comprises~ 55–60% of body weight in nonobese males
and~ 50–55% in females. The volume of distribution (V d) of ethanol depends on a person's
age, gender, and degree of adiposity (ratio of fat to lean tissue). Studies have shown that the …