Which of the following lists are common signs that a patron may be intoxicated and should not be served more alcohol?

Which of the following lists are common signs that a patron may be intoxicated and should not be served more alcohol?

• A. Slurred speech, unsteady balance, impaired coordination, aggressive or overly emotional behavior
• B. Slurred speech, unsteady balance, impaired coordination, and inability to follow simple instructions
• C. Slurred speech, unsteady balance, impaired coordination, aggressive or overly emotional behavior, and inability to follow simple instructions
• D. Slurred speech, unsteady balance, impaired coordination, loud cheering

Answer: (C)

Recognizing intoxication comes from noticing signs across physical, behavioral, and cognitive domains. Slurred speech, unsteady balance, and impaired coordination are clear physical signs that a person’s motor control is affected by alcohol. Aggressive or overly emotional behavior reflects a behavioral change that can accompany intoxication, showing how alcohol can alter mood and impulse control. Inability to follow simple instructions indicates cognitive impairment, meaning the person may have trouble processing information and complying with requests. Because intoxication can appear in multiple ways, the best indicator is a combination of signs. The option that includes all of these signs provides a more complete picture and supports the decision not to serve more alcohol. The other options miss one or more important signs, or include a cue like loud cheering that isn’t reliably tied to intoxication.

Recognizing intoxication comes from noticing signs across physical, behavioral, and cognitive domains. Slurred speech, unsteady balance, and impaired coordination are clear physical signs that a person’s motor control is affected by alcohol. Aggressive or overly emotional behavior reflects a behavioral change that can accompany intoxication, showing how alcohol can alter mood and impulse control. Inability to follow simple instructions indicates cognitive impairment, meaning the person may have trouble processing information and complying with requests.

Because intoxication can appear in multiple ways, the best indicator is a combination of signs. The option that includes all of these signs provides a more complete picture and supports the decision not to serve more alcohol. The other options miss one or more important signs, or include a cue like loud cheering that isn’t reliably tied to intoxication.