MetaChat - How many drinks does it take you?

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16 November 2005

How many drinks does it take you? →[More:]
I've always thought of the effects of alcohol in the following levels. They might differ for you; if so, feel free to tell us how you feel the escalating effects.

Otherwise, tell us how many drinks it takes you to get to each stage.

1. Threshold. You begin to feel the effects, and perhaps have slightly altered thoughts.

2. Tipsy. You're feeling good, are noticeably more talkative (or whatever happens to you).

3. Very tipsy. You're getting clumsy, laughing a lot, very talkative. I always start to feel a little numb here.

4. Drunk. Slurred speech, inhibitions lowered, very clumsy, and you're going to be this way for a while, even if you stop drinking.

5. Very drunk. I dunno, I don't go here too often. Spinning room? Falling down? Taking off your clothes?

(Also note that this question assumes that "a drink" of whatever type contains a similar amount of alcohol. If you disagree with that, just tell us what you're drinking.)

post by: agropyron at: 13:50 | 70 comments

1. 2
2. 3
4. 5
5. 6

Wanna include weight on this too, since it factors in heavily? (I think I can hold my drink surprisingly well for someone who's 105 pounds...)

posted by Specklet 16 November | 13:57

Oh, I meant to say that that's gin & tonic or good quality micro beer, not say, PBR.

posted by Specklet 16 November | 13:58

agropyron, this is MetaChat. Save your funnel-related questions for MeFi.

posted by Smart Dalek 16 November | 14:00

1.2
2.4
3.5
4.7
5.9

(although I snuck a beer at lunch today, and I am feeling more relaxed than I was earlier)

posted by jonmc 16 November | 14:01

You have to be "very drunk" to take off your clothes?

Well, this could explain a thing or two.

posted by Frisbee Girl 16 November | 14:02

You have to be "very drunk" to take off your clothes?

In a bar or restaurant? Yes. :)

posted by agropyron 16 November | 14:06

There are a lot of variant factors here, like how much I ate that day, and where I am in my menstrual cycle (I swear, this makes a huge difference) and the mood I'm in and what I'm drinking. It takes 4 PBRs to get me to level 2 but only 2 bourbons, for example. So, that said:
1. 2 - 3
2. 3 - 4
3. 4 - 5
4. 5 - 6
5. 7 and up. I can usually go to 10 or so before I get really, really plastered and throw up in the morning. Ah the joys of professional drinking. . .

posted by mygothlaundry 16 November | 14:06

Oh fun fun fun.

1. 2
2. 4
3. 5
4. 6
5. 8

I usually drink hard liquor; beer doesn't have the same effects. And, even if I'm falling-down drunk in my head, usually no one can tell (or, that's what I've been told, heh). 8-9 drinks will give me that horrible spinning feeling when I'm lying in bed and then I think the world may end. Isn't alcohol fun?

posted by Uncle Glendinning 16 November | 14:08

You have to be "very drunk" to take off your clothes?

I've never gotten naked due to drunkenness. I think that's a chicks-only privilige.

posted by jonmc 16 November | 14:08

1. 1
2. 2 - first half
3. 2 - second half (I start hugging people around here)
4. 3
5. 4

I'm a lightweight. This despite being 6'2", 200 pounds.

posted by goatdog 16 November | 14:12

1. 2
2. 4
3. 7
4. 9-10
5. 13

Great idea, jonmc (the lunch one). Reckon I'll follow suit.

I get naked when I'm drunk at the beach. The best birthday card I ever received said on the front, "It's a boy!" and contained a photo of me naked on the beach (of course I don't remember the photo shoot), under which my friends wrote, "And here's the proof!"

posted by Hugh Janus 16 November | 14:13

Nah, jon, you just haven't been to the right parties. Or skinnydipping in the middle of the night?

posted by mygothlaundry 16 November | 14:13

Oh, I'm an unabashed fan of getting naked, mgl. I used to go to Haulover beach every weekend when I lived in Florida and I'll walk around the house (or anywhere else I can get away with it) with nothing on but the radio all the time. But aside from a college game of Truth Or Dare, it's never happened spontaneously due to alcohol.

posted by jonmc 16 November | 14:16

1. 3
2. 4
3. 5
4. 8
5. 11

I only get as high as 8 or 11 if I'm doing my Guinness pub crawl [8] or drinking vodka in order to get sauced. I can pretty much drink beer all day and not get sick on it. Bless my vaguely German and Welsh ancestry I guess.

posted by sciurus 16 November | 14:19

Oh yeah, if we're chucking in stats for comparison porpoises, I'm 6'2" and 170.

posted by sciurus 16 November | 14:20

6'1 160 here.

posted by jonmc 16 November | 14:20

What are you wearing?

posted by sciurus 16 November | 14:22

Blue jeans, plaid flannel shirt (open), John Lennon Style "New York City," t-shirt, white tube sox, and Black Chuck Taylors.

and a gimp mask.

posted by jonmc 16 November | 14:24

Oh, my. Look at the time. ;)

posted by sciurus 16 November | 14:30

Jon
How many drinks does it take me to get to 5?
That is the only real question.

I feel it after 2 beers or one shot (merely because the booze hits faster, non?) then I am more or less the same through drink twelve or so, with a tendency to chain smoke and say I don't know more often for no reason (although the wobbling and the loud talking and the pirate face does set in, as well.)

Then it's karate time. However given the proper feeding, amount of sleep and people to hang out with I can run through ill bottles of rum and whiskey and a million beers and just stay up till the morning.

I am a non-linear drinker.

Alcohol is bad for you.

posted by Divine_Wino 16 November | 14:38

wait a minute, what about that night we topped off our five customary beers with those Wild Turkeys on the rocks. We were both visibly schnockered by the time we left. Pips said I was literally walking into walls by the time I got home.

posted by jonmc 16 November | 14:41

You guys make me thirsty.

posted by rainbaby 16 November | 14:45

Your eyes were drunk bro, I drove the train home that night and delivered a baby and fought a deranged bum to a standstill.

Yeah, no I was trying to say that I am either kinda a little pissy or ass-out blasted, I don't seem to be in the middle, the switch just goes.

posted by Divine_Wino 16 November | 14:46

Your eyes were drunk bro,

So was my hands, feet, derriere, and lower bile duct. I don't do shit peicemeal.

posted by jonmc 16 November | 14:48

WTF I skipped number three, and I'm not even drunk.

I'm going out drinking tonight. It's Jennifer's birthday. There will be dinner at Lauro, drinks at the NiteLight, and hilarity and same-gender making out will ensue. I'm going to get really dressed up and all sexy and shit, because I want my ex to ogle me and wonder what the hell he was thinking when he let me get away. Yeah.

posted by Specklet 16 November | 14:52

I hope you'll take pictures. Despite New York being the greatest city on earth, me, hugh, and the wino's sorties into the night aren't quite so stimulating. It's more like Cheers gone grunge.

posted by jonmc 16 November | 14:54

Mr Owl, how many licks does it take...

You bring the beer. I'll drink it and you be the judge.

Yay! Free beer for me. Score.

Also, am I smoking cause it matters?

And have I had dinner because if you were with me the other night...poor showing. And is this beer or wine or liquor.

Oh, forget it.

posted by Lola_G 16 November | 14:58

Traditionally or Recently? Recently = stressed, no sleep, and little eating, so usually
1) 1
2) 2
3) 4
4) 5? 6? This is hard bc I usually drink doubles...
5) This is what I call the "occasionally bisexual" phase, where college girls will make out with anyone that wants them. Last time I did this, after a party at my apartment, I woke up the next morning, flat on my back, with the party loop still playing. At least my clothes were still on...

posted by muddgirl 16 November | 14:59

It's more like Cheers gone grunge.

Whatever modest, I am hilarious and breathtaking at every single one of those events.

posted by Divine_Wino 16 November | 15:00

I always thought it was more like W.C. Fields' bastard triplets at their own christening.

posted by Hugh Janus 16 November | 15:02

yes, exactly, The Bank Dick yo!

posted by Divine_Wino 16 November | 15:04

Also, Hey Janus, in case you missed it in the other thread:

So when's this happening next? I can already imagine myself there.
posted by Hugh Janus 16 November | 14:55
Well I think your man Jon "Radiohead rocks my socks like bagels and lox" Macanudo has a birfday jam to go to on friday, but I do find myself free tomorrow evening, so if either of you imagionary douchebags wants to get a (lot of) drink(s), that could be made to happen.

posted by Divine_Wino 16 November | 14:58

posted by Divine_Wino 16 November | 15:06

Now it's all over the place sorry, I'm just making it worse. This is my fault. I've driven you all to drink.

Daddy drinks for the government.

posted by Divine_Wino 16 November | 15:09

Maybe next week.

posted by jonmc 16 November | 15:17

Okay, I won't bring the hostage then.

But I'll be sure to stand plenty of rounds in yer absence.

posted by Hugh Janus 16 November | 15:19

Good, you and me janus and anyone else that wants to go to the famous Antarctica bar, tomorrow night. We'll make a jonmc doll out pretzels and candy.

posted by Divine_Wino 16 November | 15:21

Well, maybe. Send an email tommorrow and bring the hostage.

posted by jonmc 16 November | 15:22

Ha, I knew I could do it, I'm the best salesman ever. I could sell stink to a hippie.

posted by Divine_Wino 16 November | 15:24

1. half a drink
2. One
3. two or three
4. three +
5. This is rare, once I hit stage 4 it seems like I level off. Last time I was that bad I had 20+ drinks. Not something I will repeat any time soon.

posted by kellydamnit 16 November | 15:25

Can I be the hostage?

posted by Specklet 16 November | 15:55

Um, sure, but we may get drunk and forget to feed you.

posted by jonmc 16 November | 15:57

I'll bring the lotion. Divine_Wino, you got a spare basket?

I fuck me. I... fuck... me.

posted by Hugh Janus 16 November | 16:04

This has everything to do with what I've eaten that day, but roughly:
1) 2 or so
2) 4 beers, 3ish drinks
3) 6ish beers
4) in the neighborhood of 8
5) 10+, when the party gets real interesting . . .

posted by tr33hggr 16 November | 16:05

I guess we know Specktacular is into bondage now.

posted by sciurus 16 November | 16:06

I always figured her for a mutual funds kinda gal, but live and learn.

posted by jonmc 16 November | 16:07

I've taken to saying, "Just put the fucking lotion in the basket" recently when I mean, "can you just do this thing please for the love of god."

posted by Divine_Wino 16 November | 16:12

Foreign currency swaps! Foreign currency aww forget it.

posted by Hugh Janus 16 November | 16:15

Have you seen the South Park when Cartman plays "Lambs"?

Too good.

I knew a bartender who was the doppelganger of James Gumb, aka Buffalo Bill.

I used to make him recite that line all the time, although I always thought it was.

Do you want to fuck me? I'd fuck me. I'd fuck me hard.

posted by Lola_G 16 November | 16:21

Specktacular, hee hee.

posted by Specklet 16 November | 16:29

*blushes*

posted by sciurus 16 November | 17:12

Thanks. Now I feel like a raging drunk. But as they say, you have to face up to it, and I can.

But I'll share anyhow and you can be my little support group. I really only drink crown and diet coke. I realize that the diet coke part is pointless because of the sugars in the crown, but I like lying to myself and pretend like I am halfway healthy, thank you.

A normal drink is what 1.5 oz? I don't even know. I think I more apt to pour about 3-4 ozs in my drink. (I calculate that based on the fact that I plow through a 750 every week at my house for weeknight drinks, which is like 25 ounces says the internet or 8-10 drinks). When I go out on Fridays and Saturdays, I'll usually have 8-10 drinks a night over the course of 4 hours.

So 1-2 doubles (2-4 1.5 oz drinks) is pretty normal to me and has little effects beyond making me not be edgy.

1. Threshold. You begin to feel the effects, and perhaps have slightly altered thoughts. - This depends on rate of consumption, but assuming a drink every half hour, I'd say 4-8.

2. Tipsy. 8-15 drinks. I'm a riot then and my R-rated factor skyrockets. I've talked a lot on irc in this mode.

3. Very tipsy. Doesn't exist for me. I think it is because in this mode, I have drank so much alcohol so quickly that I go straight to #4.

4. Drunk. 15+ drinks over the course of a night. Very tipsy always lead to drunk. The idea of self-limitation is gone. I am a very happy drunk except for the once or twice a year I reach the next step.

5. Very drunk. I would never know because I would be blacked out by then.
________
Yes, I know I shouldn't drink that much. But we all have our vices and that is my only one.

posted by dios 16 November | 17:22

Just a quick point: those are all approximations. I don't bother counting any more or keeping score. And I should note that those numbers are based on at least 10 years straight of drinking the same thing: crown and diet coke. I never drink beer and haven't had one in forever (I was probably in college at the time)and I don't ever drink anything else. But I would probably be on my ass if I had a couple of them. This has to do with the fact that my body handles crown like it is water. Give me one shot of tequila, and I'll be blacked out and vomiting. The same with anything else. The only thing else I ever have is a glass of red wine or champagne with good dinners. With those, 2-3 and I'm in lalaland.

posted by dios 16 November | 17:29

1. 3
2. 4
3. 6
4. 7
5. 9

All approximations, and time + food + company make a huge difference. Drinks are counted in pints which are equivalant to two of your earth units.
Also, I can drink three+ bottles of wine (18 units) and still only get to #4

posted by seanyboy 16 November | 19:10

Just realised how close I am to jonmc on this one. That's pretty fucking scary.

posted by seanyboy 16 November | 19:12

1. 1
2. 2
3. 3
4. don't go there
5. don't go there
also known as "cheap date"

The PDX MeFites (hi, DeepFriedTwinkies!) can vouch for that.

posted by matildaben 16 November | 19:47

P.S. I get to the "bisexual making out" phase at 3. The PDX MeFites can vouch for that too. But then, it doesn't take much to get me to that phase anyway.

posted by matildaben 16 November | 19:49

1. 1
2. 2
3. 8
4. 8
5. 12

I have a pretty wide tipsy range.

posted by Doohickie 16 November | 21:28

How many drinks is a bottle of vodka? Because I don't fuck around with cups or any of that shit. That's for pantywaists who can't hold their liquor.

posted by Eideteker 16 November | 22:15

1. 2
2. 3
3. 3
4. 4
5. 5-10, depending on lots of factors. Somewhere within that range, I may be violently ill without warning, which is why I almost never drink that much any more.
Disclaimer: I never ever get to the same-sex making out stage. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Eideteker, if it is in one container, it counts as one drink. I guess that makes you the equivalent of a two-pot screamer.

posted by dg 16 November | 22:26

Is there a -0- level?

I don't drink often and when I do it's one or two drinks at the most. The one time I drank to excess it was about 10 shots of tequila. I still didn't feel anything at that point.

Only once have I felt close to level 1 or 2. I had two margaritas at a Mexican restaurant in Houston. Man, did they knock my dick in the dirt. I had dinner afterwards and was fine.

I'm 5'4" and overweight (I ain't saying) and my family has a multi-generational problem with alcohol (and other substances). Does this have anything to do with my (almost) non-reaction to alcohol? I dunno.

posted by deborah 16 November | 22:42

I am just back from a (neuroscience) conference and am still hungover from last night. I was part of a group invited to the NZ embassy down in DC last night. They had beer there from my hometown. And amazing wine. I went to 5 in about 2 hours. That was, I guess, 5 glasses of wine, 6 beers and a couple of margaritas at the end of the night.

I'm affected really easily, but I hold up for a long time. Oh, and I'm 5'9"ish and around 160lb.

And yay! it's good to be back.

posted by gaspode 16 November | 23:14

If I had been there, I would have tried to get gaspode to make out with me.

posted by matildaben 17 November | 00:00

1.1
2.2
3.3 (I always should stop here)
4.4
5.5 (watch out!)

posted by moonbird 17 November | 07:05

advice: do not have more than three large glasses of absinth in a row (with beer chasers), that's when i loose it. #4 kills.

posted by dabitch 17 November | 07:22

Oh, man - great question! I promise to come back and answer when I have some more time, but in the meanwhile, I'd just like to say that mr. taz and I did an amazing off-the-cuff spontaneous bit on "The 12 Steps of Ouzo" once, that's still being talked about by onlookers years later. Only problem? We were at something like step 4 or 5 when we did it, and now cannot remember the whole thing.

Step 1 was "Okay, Just One". Step 2 was something like "I love this day! Isn't this a beautiful day?!"; step 4 was "I love you, man... No, really!"; step 6 or 7 was "I love you, I really do... but you don't love me :(

and so on. I think it got funnier... but how would I know?

posted by taz 17 November | 09:07

P.S. I get to the "bisexual making out" phase at 3. The PDX MeFites can vouch for that too.

*boards plane to Portland with a sixpack*

posted by jonmc 17 November | 09:36

I think it depends on what I'm drinking. I can drink at least 3 wine coolers before feeling tipsy. But three shots of tequila, and while I feel fine, I can't actually get up off the bar stool. Well, I could. I just couldn't actually walk. Crawling might be iffy too.

posted by FunkyHelix 17 November | 10:03

If I had been there, I would have tried to get gaspode to make out with me.

Yeah, I was well into the bisexual making out zone. It wouldn't have been difficult.

posted by gaspode 17 November | 10:30

I need some "alone time"...

posted by jonmc 17 November | 10:45

Jon, you'll be happy to hear that Jennifer's birthday outing went about as expected. My favorite part was the simultaneous boobie groping on the couch in the bar...

Does this have anything to do with my (almost) non-reaction to alcohol? I dunno.

Yep, it sure does.

posted by Specklet 17 November | 17:14

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