With more than half of all incidents of violence in the UK partly being caused by excessive alcohol use, it pays to recognise the signs of intoxication. These are the 10 main signs that indicate your customer, associate or friend is becoming drunk. These signs may appear in any sequence or be clustered, depending on the individual. As people become intoxicated, they will show more of these signs. Drinkers showing three signs can almost certainly be considered intoxicated.

1. Inappropriate speech volume: Drunks frequently speak in volumes inappropriate to the situation. They shout when it isn’t necessary, whisper when there’s no need for secrecy. The voice may go from low to high (or vice versa) when there is no reason to suggest that a change in volume is necessary
2. Motor control (fine) deteriorates: As people become drunk, their skills requiring fine motor control (hand-eye coordination) deteriorate. Intoxicated patrons may fumble with cigarettes or have difficulty picking up change. As their coordination declines, people also misjudge distances. They may set a drink down hard on a table, thinking that the table is lower than it is, or miss ashtrays when smoking.
3. Pace of speech: Intoxicated people may change the rate of their speaking, alternating racing speech with slow speech, or talking consistently slow or fast.
4. Alertness decreases: Intoxicated people take longer to respond to questions or react to events. They may not be able to understand or pay attention to what you’re saying. They easily become muddled, and you have to repeat simple questions or requests before they respond.
5. Inappropriate sweating: Intoxicated people may sweat more than might be considered normal given the surrounding temperature, conditions or situation.
6. Red eyes: Take note if a person’s eyes are bloodshot to any degree.
7. Motor control (gross) deteriorates: Alcohol also impairs skills requiring gross motor coordination. Drunk customers may have difficulty standing upright or walking a straight line. They weave, misstep or stumble, perhaps bumping into other people or furniture. To compensate, they may put their hands out at the sides for support or balance.
8. Enunciation poor, slurring words: Alcohol relaxes muscles, including those in the mouth, making it hard to speak clearly and distinctly. An intoxicated person may make a single error — repeatedly stumbling over one word — or slur several words together. This is a very good sign someone is impaired.
9. Noticeably shallow breathing: Can you notice a difference between your breathing and the other person’s? An intoxicated person may breathe noticeably slower or shallower than others. There may be weakness in breath, with little air inhaled or exhaled.
10. Tiredness: Alcohol is a depressant. As people become intoxicated, they show signs of being tired or sleepy. Their eyes may be heavy or closed, or they may have a placid or fixed gaze.