Signs of Intoxication
Recognizing when a patron is intoxicated is one of the most critical skills for any server. This section covers physical, behavioral, and cognitive signs of intoxication, factors that affect alcohol absorption, and how to monitor patrons throughout their visit. Mastering this topic is essential for both the exam and real-world service.
Study Guide: Signs of Intoxication
Review these sample questions before starting the practice test.
Q1: Which of the following is a physical sign of intoxication?
- A. Bloodshot or glassy eyes โ
- B. Speaking clearly
- C. Sitting quietly
- D. Ordering food
Bloodshot or glassy eyes are a common physical sign of intoxication. Other signs include flushed face, poor coordination, and unsteady gait.
Q2: What is a behavioral sign of intoxication?
- A. Politely placing an order
- B. Reading a menu carefully
- C. Becoming increasingly loud and argumentative โ
- D. Leaving a generous tip
Becoming increasingly loud, argumentative, or aggressive is a behavioral sign of intoxication. Other signs include reduced inhibitions and inappropriate behavior.
Q3: Slurred speech is a sign of which stage of intoxication?
- A. Sober
- B. Mildly relaxed
- C. Clearly intoxicated โ
- D. Not related to alcohol
Slurred speech is a clear sign of intoxication and indicates that alcohol has significantly affected the central nervous system and motor control.
Q4: Which factor can increase the rate of intoxication?
- A. Being in a well-lit room
- B. Eating a large meal before drinking
- C. Drinking water between alcoholic drinks
- D. Drinking on an empty stomach โ
Drinking on an empty stomach increases the rate of alcohol absorption, leading to faster intoxication. Food slows down the absorption of alcohol.
Q5: A patron has difficulty counting money and keeps dropping coins. What does this suggest?
- A. They need smaller denominations
- B. They are showing signs of impaired coordination due to intoxication โ
- C. They have a hand injury
- D. They are in a hurry
Difficulty with fine motor tasks like counting money or handling coins is a sign of impaired coordination, which is a clear indicator of intoxication.
Q6: Which of the following is NOT a sign of intoxication?
- A. Loss of balance
- B. Rambling or repetitive speech
- C. Reading a newspaper โ
- D. Excessive sweating
Reading a newspaper is normal behavior and not a sign of intoxication. Loss of balance, sweating, and repetitive speech are all potential signs.
Q7: Why is it important to monitor patrons throughout their visit, not just when they order?
- A. To keep the establishment busy
- B. It is not important
- C. To increase drink sales
- D. Because intoxication can develop gradually over time โ
Intoxication develops gradually. A patron may appear fine when ordering but become intoxicated between orders as previously consumed alcohol takes effect.
Q8: A patron's mood changes rapidly from happy to angry to sad. This is a sign of:
- A. Normal social behavior
- B. Intoxication affecting emotional regulation โ
- C. Fatigue
- D. A personality disorder
Rapid mood swings are a behavioral sign of intoxication. Alcohol impairs the brain's ability to regulate emotions, leading to unpredictable mood changes.
Ready to practice all 51 questions? Start the interactive quiz below.
Which of the following is a physical sign of intoxication?
More Signs of Intoxication Questions
Ten more worked examples with answers and explanations.
Q9: How does body weight affect intoxication?
- A. Heavier people generally become intoxicated slower because alcohol is more diluted โ
- B. Lighter people become intoxicated slower
- C. Only muscle mass matters
- D. It has no effect
People with higher body weight generally have more body water to dilute alcohol, so they tend to reach intoxication more slowly than lighter individuals consuming the same amount.
Q10: Which of the following medications can increase the effects of alcohol?
- A. Vitamins
- B. Cough drops
- C. Antihistamines โ
- D. Antacids
Antihistamines, painkillers, anti-anxiety medications, and many other drugs can increase the sedative effects of alcohol, leading to faster and more severe intoxication.
Q11: A patron who was previously chatty becomes very quiet and stares into space. This could indicate:
- A. They are angry at the service
- B. They are tired from a long day
- C. They are bored
- D. Advanced intoxication โ
Withdrawal from social interaction and staring blankly can indicate advanced intoxication, as the depressant effects of alcohol become more pronounced.
Q12: What is "tolerance" in the context of alcohol consumption?
- A. Having no effect from alcohol at all
- B. The ability to drink more without showing visible signs of intoxication โ
- C. Being allergic to alcohol
- D. Accepting other people's drinking habits
Tolerance means a person needs more alcohol to feel its effects. However, even tolerant individuals are still legally intoxicated at the same BAC levels โ they just show fewer visible signs.
Q13: A patron has a flushed red face after only one drink. What should you consider?
- A. They have been exercising
- B. Nothing, this is normal
- C. They may have a low alcohol tolerance or be reacting to medication โ
- D. They are intoxicated
Facial flushing after minimal alcohol could indicate low tolerance, alcohol flush reaction (common in some ethnicities), or interaction with medication. Continue to monitor them carefully.
Q14: Which best describes the order of intoxication effects?
- A. Loss of coordination โ relaxation โ impaired judgment โ unconsciousness
- B. Impaired judgment โ unconsciousness โ relaxation โ loss of coordination
- C. Unconsciousness โ relaxation โ impaired judgment โ loss of coordination
- D. Relaxation โ impaired judgment โ loss of coordination โ unconsciousness โ
Alcohol first causes relaxation and lowered inhibitions, then impairs judgment, then coordination, and at very high levels can lead to unconsciousness or worse.
Q15: Can a person appear sober but still be legally intoxicated?
- A. Only if they are sleeping
- B. No, intoxication always shows visible signs
- C. Yes, some people can mask signs of intoxication due to tolerance โ
- D. Only after drinking coffee
Yes. People with high tolerance may not show obvious signs of intoxication but can still be legally impaired. This is why monitoring drink count is important alongside observing behavior.
Q16: Carbonated alcoholic beverages (like beer or champagne) are absorbed:
- A. Carbonation has no effect on absorption
- B. More quickly than non-carbonated drinks โ
- C. More slowly than non-carbonated drinks
- D. At the same rate as non-carbonated drinks
Carbonation speeds up alcohol absorption into the bloodstream. This is why champagne or mixed drinks with soda can cause faster intoxication.
Q17: A patron stumbles while walking to the washroom. What should you do?
- A. Note it as a potential sign of intoxication and monitor closely โ
- B. Ask them to leave right away
- C. Immediately call the police
- D. Ignore it โ they might just be clumsy
Stumbling is a physical sign of impaired coordination. You should note this observation and monitor the patron closely. Combined with other signs, it may warrant refusing further service.
Q18: Which cognitive sign of intoxication involves a patron making irrational decisions?
- A. Slurred speech
- B. Impaired judgment โ spending excessive money, making inappropriate comments, or taking unnecessary risks โ
- C. Bloodshot eyes
- D. Sweating
Impaired judgment is a cognitive sign of intoxication. Patrons may make decisions they wouldn't normally make, such as spending beyond their means or engaging in risky behavior.
Key facts for this topic
- It is an offence to sell or supply liquor, or permit it to be sold or supplied, to anyone who is or appears to be intoxicated (LLCA, s. 32). The legal test is appearance, so you act on what you observe. Source
- A Canadian standard drink contains 17.05 mL (13.45 g) of pure alcohol: 341 mL of 5% beer, 142 mL of 12% wine, or 43 mL of 40% spirits. Counting standard drinks, not glasses, is how you track consumption. Source
- For driving, Ontario applies licence suspensions from a BAC of 0.05 (the "warn range"), and 0.08 or more is the Criminal Code limit. A patron can be over these levels while still looking fine. Source
Common mistakes
Students often look for a single dramatic sign such as slurred speech or stumbling. Exam questions reward spotting the earlier, subtler cues: a change in mood, getting louder, trouble handling money, or a chatty guest who goes quiet. Another mistake is assuming a heavy or experienced drinker is safe to keep serving. Tolerance hides the visible signs, but it does not lower blood alcohol, which is why the explanations keep pairing observation with a drink count. Remember too that carbonation, an empty stomach and medications such as antihistamines all speed up or intensify intoxication.
Keep studying
Sources
Regulatory facts on this page are based on the official sources below. If anything here disagrees with them, the official source wins.
- Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019, S.O. 2019, c. 15, Sched. 22 (Ontario e-Laws)
- Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA): Canada's Guidance on Alcohol and Health, Final Report (2023)
- Government of Ontario: Impaired driving
By SmartServe Prep Team Last reviewed: October 2026
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