Most of us have had an alcoholic drink in our time. Most of us, then, will know that alcohol affects the way we feel, the way we react, and our ability to do certain things, like resist fried potatoes. Most of us will probably also have noticed that alcohol affects people slightly differently, personally I become very giggly and inane, and then I go to sleep. I know people who become very angry or upset. I know other people who just can’t stop dancing (okay, so that one might be me as well).

We all know those people who really like to drink, and like to do it often. Not only do these guys take their own drinking a little too far, they’re experts at pressuring others to keep up with them drink-for-drink. And they’ll use mockery, guilt, generosity, logic, peer pressure and dozens of other tactics to get everyone around them to keep the party going.

Alcohol testing the workplace has become increasingly common, as the dangers and liabilities in many industries of employees being under the influence of alcohol can be significant. Drug testing, however, is less common, even though the consequences are no less severe and the same legislation governs the usage of both substances. Drug testing has often been seen as challenging to implement from a legal perspective, as well expensive, an invasion of privacy, and a host of other perceived obstacles that have limited its use.

Alcohol in the form of beer, wine, spirits, and ciders is consumed by many North Americans and by people in many other cultures around the world.  Drinking, like eating, or any social activity, has some guidelines to help the participant get more enjoyment out of the activity. Gobbling down half a chocolate cake at a party would not be considered responsible eating or even polite in most cultures. The same goes for drinking. Responsible choices concerning sensible drinking may mean not drinking, such as when a person is sick, taking medications or being the designated driver.

There are a lot of misconceptions floating around regarding what a breathalyzer can measure, what the results mean, and who does or does not need one. In order to squash some of the misinformation, we here present the top five breathalyzer myths.

Myth #1. “You can beat a breathalyzer by hyperventilating, exercising, or holding your breath before you blow.”