Effects and Responsible Service of Alcohol
What alcohol does to the body
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. Candidates must understand absorption (affected by food, body weight, hydration, and rate of drinking), distribution, and elimination - principally through the liver at roughly one standard drink per hour for an average adult, with wide individual variation. Know the standard drink definition used in Ireland and be able to convert common servings into standard drinks. Understand blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and why it rises faster than it falls.
Responsible service in practice
Responsible service means serving alcohol in a way that reduces harm: offering food and water, providing non-alcoholic alternatives, avoiding promotions that encourage rapid consumption, not serving to anyone already intoxicated, and monitoring the pace of service. Know the legal restrictions on happy hours, free alcohol promotions, and advertising that targets minors or encourages excessive drinking.
Traps to watch
Examiners love the myth that coffee, cold showers, or food 'sober you up'. They do not - only time reduces BAC. Another trap is assuming a person's tolerance reflects their BAC; a regular drinker may appear less affected while still being legally over the limit. Also watch for questions implying a licence holder may serve someone visibly intoxicated if they have a lift home.
Worked example
A customer drinks three pints of 4.5% beer in ninety minutes. Each pint is roughly two standard drinks, so six standard drinks have been consumed. Elimination at about one per hour means BAC is still climbing - food and coffee will not change that. The correct service response is to slow service, offer water and food, and monitor.