Signs of Intoxication Flashcards

What physical sign of intoxication involves changes in a person's eyes?

Answer: Bloodshot, glassy, or unfocused eyes and slow pupil response

Intoxication commonly causes the eyes to become bloodshot, glassy, or unfocused. Pupils may also respond more slowly to changes in light, and the person may have difficulty focusing.

How might intoxication affect a person's speech patterns?

Answer: Speech may become slurred, louder, slower, or the person may have difficulty forming coherent sentences

Alcohol affects the brain's speech centres, leading to slurred words, increased volume, slower speech, rambling, repetitive statements, and difficulty forming coherent thoughts.

What does 'loss of fine motor skills' look like in an intoxicated person?

Answer: Difficulty handling small objects, spilling drinks, fumbling with money, or problems using a phone

Loss of fine motor skills manifests as difficulty handling small objects like coins, keys, or phones. The person may spill drinks, fumble with their wallet, or struggle with buttons and zippers.

Which emotional sign might indicate progressive intoxication?

Answer: Rapid mood swings between happy, sad, and angry

Rapid and unpredictable mood swings are a hallmark of progressive intoxication. A person may quickly shift from happy to angry, or from friendly to confrontational, without apparent reason.

What is 'diminished reaction time' and how does it relate to intoxication?

Answer: It means taking longer to respond to stimuli due to alcohol's depressant effects on the nervous system

Alcohol slows the central nervous system, causing a person to take longer to react to visual, auditory, or physical stimuli. This is why intoxicated persons are at greater risk when driving.

How can intoxication affect a person's perception of personal space?

Answer: They may invade others' personal space, stand too close, or become overly physical in greetings

Intoxication often leads to a reduced awareness of social boundaries, causing people to stand too close, become overly touchy, or invade others' personal space inappropriately.