When you go out for a drink, you need to make wise decisions if you don't want the night to turn bad. Sometimes you can't tell if you are drunk or not, especially when you are tired or having fun. You can find this out by looking for the most common signs of being drunk or by taking a quick sobriety test. There are also some methods to determine if you have exceeded the alcohol level permitted by law. However, don't drive if you think you're under the influence of alcohol because it's not worth the risk. Instead, use Blablacar, take a taxi, or ask a friend who hasn't been drinking for a ride.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Check to see if you have exceeded the statutory alcohol level
Step 1. Count how many drinks you have had
Generally, it takes the body about an hour to metabolize one alcoholic unit and another 30 minutes to assimilate each alcoholic unit beyond the third. Try to bounce back by giving yourself an hour for each drink you've had, and if you've consumed more than three, add an extra half hour to each glass.
- An alcoholic unit of beer corresponds to 250 ml.
- An alcoholic unit of wine is equivalent to 150 ml.
- An alcoholic unit of malt liquor corresponds to 240-270 ml.
- An alcoholic unit of distillate is equivalent to 44 ml or a shot.
Advise:
keep in mind that it takes about 30 minutes for the alcohol to take effect. You may feel fine at first, but it doesn't necessarily mean it doesn't act as time goes by.
Step 2. Use an online breathalyser to find out if you have exceeded the legal limit
Search for a breathalyser online, then enter information about the amount and type of alcohol ingested, body weight, age and height. It will estimate the blood alcohol concentration. Based on the result, you will know if you have exceeded the alcohol level established by law.
- You can try to perform this calculation by clicking on this link.
- If you are intoxicated, do not go home, either on foot or behind the wheel of your car. Instead, stay where you are, call someone to pick you up, or ask a friend for help.
Advise:
currently in Italy the limit established by law corresponds to 0.5 grams / liter of alcohol in the blood, beyond which the driver is defined as being drunk and therefore subject to sanctions.
Step 3. Use a breathalyser if available
The breathalyzer is a small device that is used to measure the amount of alcohol contained in the blood. To use it, place your lips on the mouthpiece and blow inside. Then, you will get the BAC, from which you can know if you are intoxicated.
- You can buy it online or at the pharmacy. The price starts at around € 16.00, but some professional models also go up to € 100.00.
- Do not drink alcohol before taking the test, otherwise it will alter the result.
Step 4. Get driven home if you are drunk
If you think you have raised your elbow too much, you are probably drunk. Don't drive unless your hangover is over. Rather, take a taxi or use Blablacar to go home. Alternatively, ask a friend who hasn't been drinking to accompany you or call someone to pick you up.
- If you are tipsy, you have crossed the line. There is no difference to law enforcement whether you get drunk or drunk behind the wheel.
- Don't risk your life and that of others just to drive.
Part 2 of 4: Take some sobriety tests
Step 1. Try touching your nose
It is one of the simplest tests. Close your eyes and stretch your arm forward pointing your index finger. Then, bend your elbow and bring your finger to your nose. Try touching the tip without opening your eyes. If you miss your shot, you are probably drunk.
This test does not ensure that you have drunk too much. Some people have a hard time touching their noses even when they are sober
Step 2. Walk and turn around
Stand up straight, then take 9 steps placing the heel of one foot in front of the toe of the other, as if following a straight line. Turn on one foot and take another 9 steps in the same way, back to the starting point. If you can't align your steps, need to balance your arms, wobble or have fallen, it means that you have raised your elbow a little too much.
- If you normally have little balance, you don't necessarily have to be drunk.
- It is best to perform this test on a straight dotted line on the ground to make sure you are walking straight.
Step 3. Stand on one leg
Stand up and lift one leg 6 inches off the ground. Count aloud from 1000. Stay in this position for 30 seconds to see if you are drunk. If you stagger, put your foot on the ground, jump, or use your arms to keep your balance, you've probably overdone the alcohol.
As with walking, even in this case you may have problems if you have little coordination already sober. Remember this when taking this test to know if you've been drinking too much
Part 3 of 4: Check for Physical Signs of Inebriation
Step 1. Get up and walk to see if you stay balanced
Take a few steps to find out if you feel lightheaded. See if you can walk straight and keep your balance without staggering. If you feel disoriented, have a hard time standing up straight, or feel like you're spinning around, you are probably drunk.
- In these moments it seems difficult for you to do anything, even go to the bathroom and get your needs done. It is a clear indication of a state of intoxication.
- If you don't feel stable when standing, stay seated or ask a friend to help you walk. You could get hurt unintentionally. Pay attention to your safety.
Step 2. See if you can stay focused on an activity or conversation
Alcohol affects concentration to the point of compromising it. Try telling a friend a story or reading something on the phone. If you keep getting distracted or forget what you are doing, you are most likely drunk.
- Try to retrace the evening. Do you remember everything that happened? Can you reconstruct it in detail? Are you aware of the hours that pass? If something is missing, you have probably raised your elbow too high.
- If you need to, ask a friend or someone you trust for help. For example, if you are having trouble paying the bill, ask someone who accompanies you to help you out.
Step 3. Rest if you feel nauseous or start vomiting
It is normal to feel nauseated when drunk. The malaise can be mild or severe. If you've been drinking a lot, you might even throw up. Sit down and stop if you start to feel bad.
- You don't necessarily have to be sober even if you don't feel nauseous.
- Drink water to avoid dehydration. It might help you get back.
Step 4. Look in the mirror to see if you have dilated pupils
It is normal for the pupils to dilate under the influence of alcohol to cover most of the iris. Go to the bathroom or use a pocket mirror to see if they've spread out.
You can also ask a friend for an opinion. Ask him: "Do I have dilated pupils?"
Step 5. Check your heart rate to see if it has increased
In a state of intoxication, the heart beats fast, but you breathe slowly because alcohol has a depressant action. Place the index and middle fingers of your right hand on your left wrist to check your pulse. Alternatively, place both fingers on the side of the neck. If they seem fast to you, you may have an accelerated heartbeat.
- If you have the option, ask someone to check their pulse.
- If it's speeded up, sit down and ask for help. Drink plenty of water and try to grab a bite to recover faster.
Part 4 of 4: Recognizing the Emotional Signs of Being Drunk
Step 1. Ask your friends if you are showing off
Alcohol can make you very confident. When the inhibitions are lacking, you think you are powerful and this feeling can lead you to show everyone that you are a skilled dancer or have a special talent. Likewise, you may feel so swaggering that you take a person aside to declare your love to them.
- For example, you could dance when you don't normally do it or show off your singing skills at karaoke even though you are usually extremely shy.
- You have every right to have fun, but don't put your own safety at risk. Ask your friends if everything is okay. For example, if you are drunk, karaoke can be a fun and risk-free experience, but dancing in a bar can be dangerous.
Step 2. Notice if you cry or laugh excessively
Consider whether you are feeling happy, excited, or depressed, but likewise look for signs that indicate mood swings, such as touching the sky with a finger for one minute and falling into despair the next. It is normal to experience strong and mixed emotions when overdoing alcohol.
- For example, you might dance with friends thinking it's the best night of your life and then suddenly cry over something that happened the previous year.
- Turn off your cell phone or ask a friend to keep it if you are tempted to write to someone about a past incident. For example, if you want to have a confrontation with your ex, give your cell phone to someone in your company.
Step 3. Check if you talk to strangers
Alcohol lowers inhibitions by making you bolder than usual. It causes you to take more friendly attitudes and therefore you have less difficulty interacting with people you don't know. Ask yourself if you are sharing very intimate secrets with a stranger or if you immediately feel friends with the people around you.
- For example, you might be talking to a stranger from your family.
- Try to stay close to your friends or people you know to avoid risks.
Step 4. Pay attention if someone warns you that you are babbling or speaking loudly
When you are drunk, you tend to raise your voice, even without realizing it. However, those around you may ask you to turn it down or cover their ears. Likewise, when you drink too much, you have a hard time expressing yourself clearly, so your interlocutor may ask you to repeat what you said or respond with "what?".
- People might say, "You talk too loud", "Keep your voice down" or "What do you mean?".
- If others complain about your noise, try speaking softly until you regain some clarity.
