Note: Bloodshot eyes could also be a sign of allergies or another medical condition. So make sure you ask about allergies before you interpret this symptom as a definitive sign of intoxication.
As a parent looking for signs of intoxication in their child, this is one of the most effective tell-tale signs.
Keep in mind that impaired motor function can be a side effect of many other conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease or someone who has suffered a stroke.
For example, a person who weighs 150 lbs. will feel the effects of the alcohol much more quickly than someone who weighs 250 lbs. , even if they drink the exact same amount of alcohol. This is because the larger person can tolerate more alcohol since their body takes longer to process it.
For example, loud outbursts or inappropriate comments could be signs of intoxication. An intoxicated person may spend their money more freely than they usually would. With lowered inhibitions, people are more likely to focus on the good feeling that they get from drinking, rather than thinking about how they need to be responsible with their money. They might also buy drinks for strangers or acquaintances. Additionally, many people like to smoke cigarettes while they are drinking. Smokers usually smoke more when they are drinking, but many non-smokers will light up the occasional cigarette when they’ve been drinking. [3] X Research source This is another sign of intoxication.
Again, slurred speech can be a side effect of another condition or even a sign that someone is having a stroke. Don’t automatically assume a person is drunk because they’re slurring their words.
For example, inappropriate sexual advances, mean comments, and unusually dirty jokes can all be signs of intoxication.
For example, if someone is drinking and they seem to be in a good mood, but suddenly starts crying, this could be a sign of intoxication.
Phone calls. An intoxicated person might call an old lover or call someone repeatedly (also known as ‘‘drunk dialing’’). Their inhibitions are lowered, so calling over and over might not seem disruptive or rude to them and so they may feel less accountable for their actions. [6] X Research source Text messages. Signs of intoxication to look for in text messages include drastic misspellings, overly emotional pronouncements, or receiving a text (or a series of texts) at an unusually late hour. [7] X Research source
If you are a bartender trying to determine whether you should keep serving someone alcohol or not, try to count the number of drinks the person has had. You can even ask one of their friends how much she has had to drink or how drunk the friend thinks the person is.
To get someone to stop drinking, try talking to them calmly as a friend. Tell them that you think they may have had too much to drink and that you are worried, so it would make you feel better if they would quit drinking for the night. Appeal to their sense of friendship if you have to — that they are doing you a favour by not drinking anymore. If they refuse to quit drinking, consider taking more drastic measures. If you are in a bar, tell the bartender that you think the intoxicated person has been drinking too much and ask the bartender to quit serving them alcohol. If you are in a private space like a house, try to hide all the remaining alcohol. The drunk person will not be as observant as usual because of their dulled senses, so it should be relatively easy for you to hide the alcohol without them noticing.
If you see a person who is heavily intoxicated but this seems to be out of character for them, or notice they only had a single drink, it is possible that they have been roofied. This means that someone has slipped a drug in their drink (usually the sedative Rohypnol) that will cause them to lose some muscle control and, in effect, be unable to resist if he is assaulted. [8] X Research source
Vomiting Seizures Confusion Slowed breathing Passing out Pale skin
If the person displays symptoms of being drunk but has not been drinking, these signs appear out of nowhere, or you are simply unsure, you can perform a few simple tests to see if the person is having a stroke. Ask them to smile, to raise both arms over their head, and to speak a simple sentence. [11] X Research source If part of the person’s face droops or their smile is asymmetrical, if one arm seems to drift downward, and/or if they cannot repeat the sentence or seems to be searching for words, they may be having a stroke and needs emergency medical assistance. A person with diabetes may display what could be interpreted as “drunk behaviour” when they are, in fact, experiencing ketoacidosis, which occurs when the body doesn’t have enough insulin and there is a build up of acids called ketones in the bloodstream. If you also notice the person has fruity-smelling breath and they have not been drinking fruit-flavoured drinks, they may be experiencing ketoacidosis and needs immediate medical help. [12] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Disorders like Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and ataxia all affect movement and may cause a person to appear drunk or have difficulty maintaining their balance. Don’t assume that someone who has difficulty keeping their balance is intoxicated.
