Training for Intervention ProcedureS (TIPS) Certification Practice Exam

Which gender tends to be affected more quickly by alcohol consumption?

1. Men

2. Women

3. Non-binary individuals

4. All genders equally

The correct answer is: Women

Women tend to be affected more quickly by alcohol consumption compared to men. This difference is largely attributed to physiological factors, including body composition and the way alcohol is metabolized in the body. Generally, women have a higher percentage of body fat and a lower percentage of water than men. Since alcohol is water-soluble, it tends to be diluted in larger volumes of water; thus, with less water in their bodies, women can experience a higher blood alcohol concentration (BAC) when consuming the same amount of alcohol as men. Additionally, hormonal fluctuations can also influence how alcohol is processed. For instance, women may metabolize alcohol differently during different phases of their menstrual cycle. Furthermore, the enzyme responsible for breaking down alcohol, alcohol dehydrogenase, tends to be less active in women than in men, leading to quicker intoxication. These biological differences result in women exhibiting signs of intoxication sooner and at lower levels of alcohol consumption compared to their male counterparts. It’s important to recognize these variations to promote responsible drinking practices across all genders.