Perceived Intoxication: Implications for Alcohol Education

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among perceived levels of intoxication, and impairment of selected psychomotor skills used in driving, Psychomotor skills were determined by measuring reaction time (RT) and anticipation time (AT). Eight male and eight female paid volunteers participated in two experimental drinking sessions. Significant relationships were found between perceived intoxication and performance impairment, but not between performance impairment and actual Results appear to reinforce previous findings that show self-perceived levels of intoxication rise more rapidly than that impairment is greater on the rising limb than on the falling limb of the curve, and that a strong correlation exists between one's perceived impairment and one's actual impairment. Findings suggest that alcohol consumption tables that calculate one's impairment are not only invalid, but may be dangerous. Health educators must develop and validate alternative and better means of providing accurate information about impairment assessment after alcohol consumption.