The "Soggy Dollar Bar" at Jost Van Dyke in the B.V.I. is itself an illustration of the kinetics of alcohol (ethanol) metabolism. The drinks are served at a constant rate, no matter how many boats anchor and patrons swim ashore. Likewise, alcohol is metabolized at a constant rate of 11-22 mg/dL/hr by alcohol dehydrogenase in the liver. In general, once the blood ethanol concentration has reached 0.1 gm% (100 mg/dL, or 100 mg%, or 0.1 g/dL), the alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme system is saturated, and further ethanol consumption will increase the blood concentration.

In most states in the U.S. and many other countries, legal intoxication while driving a vehicle is defined at 0.08%. Some degree of impairment can begin at 0.03%, and reaction times are impaired above 0.07%. Above 0.3%, stupor and coma can occur, and deaths may result from levels above 0.4%. The most common form of fatal drug overdose is ethanol ingestion.