How to Recognize the Signs of Alcohol Intoxication

Look for bloodshot or glazed eyes. A person's eyes can reveal a lot about their physical and mental state at any given moment. If their eyes appear glazed over or bloodshot, it's a clear sign that they've consumed too much alcohol. Additionally, drooping eyelids or difficulty keeping their eyes wide open may also indicate intoxication.

• Note: Red eyes can also be a sign of allergies or another condition. It's important to ask about any allergies before assuming this is a sign of drunkenness.

Pay attention to the odor emanating from the person. While intoxication is caused by various substances, the smell coming from the person can be a revealing clue. Both alcohol and marijuana have strong, lingering odors after use. Try to notice if the person’s breath or clothing carries the scent of alcohol or marijuana.

• This is one of the most noticeable signs for parents to detect whether their child is drunk.

Observe if their motor functions are impaired. A drunk person struggles to perform simple tasks that would be easy while sober, such as walking in a straight line, lighting a cigarette, pouring a drink, or picking up objects.

• Note: Poor motor function can also be a result of other conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease or the aftermath of a stroke.

Estimate the person’s body size. While alcohol affects everyone, the rate at which it takes effect varies based on physical characteristics. Body size, gender, drinking speed, alcohol strength, food intake, and use of other substances all influence how quickly alcohol affects an individual.

• For instance, a person weighing 70 kg will feel the effects of alcohol faster than someone weighing 120 kg, even if both consume the same amount of alcohol. This is because the larger person can tolerate more alcohol as their body processes it more slowly.

Observe if their self-control is diminished. Someone who talks much more than usual and loses control over their speech may be drunk. Overly aggressive behavior or mood swings are also red flags.

• For example, outbursts of anger or making inappropriate comments could indicate the person is intoxicated.
• A drunk person might spend more money than usual. Due to a lack of self-control, they often focus on the pleasure of drinking rather than thinking about financial responsibilities. They may buy drinks for acquaintances or even strangers.
• Additionally, many people tend to smoke while drinking. Smokers usually smoke more when drinking, but even non-smokers may light up when intoxicated. This can also be another sign of drunkenness.

Listen to their speaking volume. Many signs of intoxication can be detected just by paying attention to how someone speaks. Speaking too loudly or too quietly can both be indicators of drunkenness.

Notice if they are slurring their speech. Slurred speech is almost certainly a sign that someone is drunk. If you notice a person (whether it’s your child, a customer, or anyone else) speaking incoherently, especially when no one can understand them, it's very likely they are intoxicated.

• Slurring speech can also be a symptom of a medical condition, even a sign of a stroke. Don’t automatically assume someone is drunk just because they are slurring their words.

Pay attention to what they’re saying. If someone is struggling with words, speaking more slowly than usual, or repeatedly saying the same thing, they may be drunk. Keep an ear out for speech patterns that could indicate intoxication.

Observe their interactions with others. As the effects of alcohol increase, people go through stages of impaired cognition, which can lead to inappropriate behavior that they wouldn’t typically exhibit. Rude language, crude jokes, and excessive flirting are signs of cognitive impairment, especially when these behaviors go against their usual personality. Additionally, you might notice poor judgment if they begin drinking more quickly or participating in drinking games.

• For example, sexual harassment, malicious comments, or inappropriate joking could all be signs of drunkenness.

Consider their mood. People who are drunk often experience rapid mood swings – they may be laughing and having fun one moment, and crying or becoming aggressive the next. If someone appears unusually emotional, shifting between extremes, it could be a sign that they are drunk.

• For example, if someone seems cheerful and energized while drinking, only to suddenly start crying, they are likely intoxicated.

Look for signs of intoxication through other forms of communication. Sometimes, you can tell if someone is drunk even if you're not physically near them.

• Phone calls: A drunk person may call an ex or repeatedly dial someone’s number. Due to a lack of self-control, they may not realize that excessive calling is rude or disruptive, and they won’t feel responsible for their actions.
• Text messages: Signs of drunkenness in text messages include terrible spelling mistakes, overly emotional language, or messages sent at odd hours (or a series of messages in a short time).

Consider alcohol tolerance levels. Remember, people can develop a high tolerance to alcohol, but that doesn’t mean they are legally sober. It simply means it’s harder to tell if they’re drunk just by looking at them. For individuals with very high tolerance, the only way to assess their level of intoxication might be to count how many drinks they've had, but even that isn’t easy.

• If you're a bartender unsure about whether to continue serving someone, try counting the number of drinks they've had. You can even ask their friends how much they’ve drunk or get their opinion on the person’s level of drunkenness.

Try to stop the person from drinking more. If you notice someone’s physical condition deteriorating while drinking, the first thing you need to do is prevent them from consuming more alcohol. Early signs include slurred speech, slow or clumsy movements, stumbling, dropping things (like items, money, or keys), or losing their train of thought mid-sentence.

• To get them to stop drinking, calmly approach them as a friend. Express your concern by saying that you think they’ve had enough and should stop drinking for the night. If necessary, you can gently insist they stop for the sake of your friendship.
• If they refuse to stop, consider stronger measures. If you're in a bar, you can ask the bartender to cut them off, explaining that you think they’ve drunk too much. If you're in a private setting, try hiding the remaining alcohol. Drunk individuals have impaired senses, so this may not be difficult to do.

Always stay with the intoxicated person. Never leave someone alone when they’re showing signs of impaired coordination or motor skills, as they may pose a danger to themselves or others. Stumbling, unsteady walking, poor spatial awareness, and repeatedly dropping or struggling to pick up objects are signs that their intoxication is escalating.

Helping a Drunk Person Get Home. If you encounter an extremely drunk person in public spaces like a restaurant or bar, it is important to assist them in getting home so they can rest and sober up. You can offer them a ride, call a taxi, reach out to their family members, or contact a service that specializes in transporting intoxicated individuals if such services are available in the area.

Preventing Drunk Driving. Drinking and driving is an extremely dangerous act – not only for the intoxicated driver but also for anyone else on the road. Sometimes, people aren't aware of their level of intoxication or make poor judgments after drinking and attempt to drive, something they should never do. To stop a drunk person from driving, you can try other means of getting them home, notify the bartender, inform the police, or even hide their car keys.

Ensuring Safety for Intoxicated People. A drunk person often poses a risk to their own safety, especially once they’ve had too much to drink. There are many potential dangers, such as choking from vomiting, which can be fatal. If you've already helped someone get home, ensure they lie on their side so they don’t choke if they vomit.

• If you notice a person acting unusually intoxicated, even after just one drink, they may have been drugged. This can happen when someone secretly adds a substance (commonly the sedative Rohypnol) to their drink, impairing their muscle control and making them vulnerable to assault.

Seek Medical Attention if You Suspect Alcohol Poisoning. Alcohol poisoning is a serious condition where the amount of alcohol consumed exceeds the body's ability to process it. In the worst cases, alcohol poisoning can be fatal. If you suspect someone is suffering from alcohol poisoning, contact emergency services immediately. Common symptoms of alcohol poisoning include:

• Vomiting
• Seizures
• Confusion
• Slow breathing
• Unconsciousness
• Pale skin

Be Aware of Other Possible Causes. Certain medical conditions can cause symptoms resembling intoxication. For example, someone who has suffered a stroke may display symptoms such as a drooping face, slurred speech, confusion, dizziness, and unsteady walking.

• If you observe someone exhibiting signs of intoxication without them having consumed alcohol, or if you are unsure of the cause, you can perform simple tests to check for stroke. Ask the person to smile, raise both arms, and say a simple phrase. If one side of their face droops, they are unable to repeat the phrase, or they struggle to find words, it could be a stroke, and immediate medical attention is needed.
• Diabetic individuals may also show signs that could be mistaken for drunkenness, but they could actually be experiencing ketoacidosis, which occurs when the body lacks insulin, causing ketones to accumulate in the blood. If you notice a fruity smell on their breath without them having consumed fruit alcohol, they may be in ketoacidosis and need urgent medical care.
• Conditions like Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or ataxia affect motor functions and can cause difficulties in balance and movement, leading others to misinterpret the symptoms as intoxication.