How to Know If You’re Drunk

When you go out drinking, you should make safe decisions so that the fun doesn’t turn into a disaster. Sometimes it’s hard to tell if you’re drunk, especially when you’re tired or very excited. You can know this by checking for common signs or taking a sobriety test. There are also several ways to determine if you are legally intoxicated. But anyway, don’t try to drive if you feel you’re intoxicated, as it’s not worth the risk. Take a taxi or ask a sober friend to drive you home.

Table of Contents

Check if you are legally drunk

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Count the number of glasses of wine you have had in the last few hours. In general, it takes about 1 hour for the body to metabolize 1 unit of alcohol. In addition, it will take you another 30 minutes to metabolize each unit of alcohol when your alcohol intake exceeds 3 units. You need to wait 1 hour for each glass of wine to sober up, plus another 30 minutes for each drink if you have had more than 3 drinks. ^{[1] X Research Source}

One beer is equal to 350 ml.
One cup of wine is equal to 150 ml.
One cup of malt liquor is equivalent to 240 – 270 ml.
One cup of unmixed spirits is equal to 44 ml. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Tip: Remember that it will take you 30 minutes to feel the effects of alcohol. You may feel fine now, but that doesn’t mean alcohol won’t affect you.

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Use an online spreadsheet to determine if you are legally drunk. Open an online spreadsheet and enter your alcohol intake, your weight and the time since you started drinking. The calculator will estimate your blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Based on this number, you will know if you are legally drunk. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

You can try using the Cleveland Clinic spreadsheet here: https://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/interactive/alcohp_calculator.asp
If you are legally drunk, don’t try to walk or drive home. Stay where you are, call a taxi or ask a friend to help you get home.

Tip: The legal blood alcohol level in the US is 0.08%. However, keep in mind that you can be charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or under the influence of alcohol if your blood alcohol level is above 0.0%, especially if you were involved in a traffic accident.

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Use an alcohol meter if available. An alcohol meter is a small device used to test the concentration of alcohol in the blood. Use the device by holding the device in the mouth and blowing into it. The device will display blood alcohol results, and you will know if you are legally drunk. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

You can buy an alcohol meter online or at a drugstore. Equipment costs from several hundred thousand to several million.
Do not drink a lot of alcohol before using the machine, as this will distort the results.

Take a sanity test

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Do the simple “touch the nose” test. With your eyes closed, bring your arm out in front of you and extend your index finger, then bend your arm and bring your finger closer to your nose. Try to touch the tip of your nose with your index finger without opening your eyes. If you can’t touch your nose, you’re probably drunk. ^{[6] X Research Source}

This test does not mean that you are definitely drunk. Some people can’t even touch their nose when they’re awake.

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Take the “walk and turn” test. Stand up straight, then take 9 steps in a straight line, feet touching the ground from heel to toe. Turn back and take 9 steps back to the starting point. You may be drunk if you can’t walk in a straight line, if you have to stretch your arms out for balance, if you feel dizzy or fall. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

If your ability to keep your balance is usually not good, then you are not drunk.
It is best to perform this test on a straight line on the floor or the ground. That way you will know for sure that you are walking in a straight line.

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Perform the “one-legged” test. Stand up straight, then lift one leg about 15cm off the ground. Count out loud starting at 1,000. Hold the pose for 30 seconds. If you stagger, put your feet down, hop on hopscotch, or stretch your arms out for balance, you’re probably drunk. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Similar to the “walk and turn” test, it can also be difficult for you to do well even when sober if you have poor coordination. Remember this when you are trying to see if you are drunk.

Check for physical signs of being intoxicated

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Stand up and walk around to see if you feel wobbly. Take a few steps and notice if you feel dizzy. Next, check to see if you can walk straight and keep your balance without wobbling. You may be drunk if you are disoriented, can’t walk straight, or have the feeling that the room is moving. ^{[9] X Research Source}

You may find it difficult to do anything, such as going to the bathroom or urinating. This is a sign that you are drunk.
If you feel unsteady on your feet, sit still or ask a friend to help you when you need to walk. You can accidentally injure yourself while intoxicated, and most importantly, stay safe.

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Notice if you can maintain focus while doing something or talking. Alcohol affects concentration, so this task will be difficult when you are drunk. Try telling a friend a story or reading something on the phone. If your mind wanders or forgets what you’re doing, you’re probably drunk. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Try reviewing what you did that night. Do you remember all that happened? Can you give specifics? Can you keep track of time? If you’re feeling fuzzy about anything, you’re probably drunk.
Ask a friend or someone you trust for help if needed. For example, if you’re having trouble paying, you can ask a close friend to take care of it.

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Rest if you feel nauseous or start vomiting. When drunk, people often feel nauseous, the level of which can range from mild to severe. If you drink a lot of alcohol, you may even vomit. Sit down and rest for a while if you start to feel nauseous. ^{[11] X Research Source}

Even if you’re not nauseous, that doesn’t mean you’re not drunk.
Drink water to avoid dehydration. That way you will feel better.

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Look in the mirror to see if your pupils are dilated. Drunk people often have dilated pupils, so you can see that the pupils take up most of the sclera. Go to the bathroom and look in the mirror or take out a pocket mirror to see if the pupils in your eyes are dilated. ^{[12] X Research Source}

You can also ask your friends if your pupils are dilated.

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Check your pulse to see if it’s fast. When you are drunk, your heart will beat faster but your breathing will slow because alcohol is a calming agent. Place the index and middle fingers of your right hand on your left wrist to check your pulse. Another way to check the pulse is to place the index and middle fingers on the side of the neck to see if the pulse is fast. ^{[13] X Research Source}

If possible, have someone help check your pulse at your wrist.
If your pulse is rapid, you should sit down and ask someone for help. Drink plenty of water and snack on something to sober up faster.

Recognize emotional cues when drunk

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Ask your friends if you can overreact. When you’re drunk, you can feel overconfident. As your self-control declines, you’ll feel like you can do anything, like perform a dance or have a special talent. You may also feel confident enough to ask someone out or confess your feelings. ^{[14] X Research Source}

For example, you might step out onto the dance floor even though you’d normally never dance, or you might be willing to show off your karaoke voice even though you’re usually pretty shy.
Have fun, but don’t take risks. Ask a friend to make sure you’re not putting yourself in a dangerous situation. For example, karaoke is fun and safe, but dancing in bars can be dangerous if you’re drunk.

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Notice if you laugh or cry excessively. Think about whether you feel extremely happy, excited, or depressed. Similarly, look out for signs of mood swings, such as one minute happy, then suddenly sad the next. Feeling emotional when drunk is normal. ^{[15] X Research Source}

For example, you are happily dancing with your friends, thinking this is the best night of your life, and then for some reason burst into tears over something that happened last year.
Turn off your phone or ask a friend to take care of you if you suddenly feel like texting someone about something that happened in the past. For example, if you suddenly want to talk to your ex, give the phone to your best friend to keep.

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Think about how you talk to a lot of people you don’t know. Alcohol can lower your self-control, so you feel bolder than usual. This can make you friendlier and easier to strike up conversations with people you’re meeting for the first time. Think about whether you’re sharing your secrets with people you don’t know or making friends with those around you. ^{[16] X Research Source}

For example, you may suddenly find yourself confiding in a family matter with a stranger.
Try to stick with a friend or acquaintance to stay safe.

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Listen to if anyone complains that you speak loudly or drawl. When you’re drunk, you often speak louder than usual without realizing it. However, people around you may ask you to keep your voice low or cover your ears. Similarly, it can be difficult to speak clearly while drunk, so people may ask you to repeat or ask you, “What?” ^{[17] X Research Source}

People may say “You speak too loud,” “Can you speak less?” or “What are you going to say?”
If people complain that you’re talking too loudly, whisper when you’re talking until you’re less drunk.

Advice

If you think you’re intoxicated, drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and reduce the unpleasant aftertaste of alcohol. ^{[18] X Research Sources}

Warning

Driving while drowsy or intoxicated is very dangerous behavior and can lead to disaster. Never get behind the wheel if you feel even a little drowsy.

Steps