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Disruption of Frontal Lobe Neural Synchrony During Cognitive Control by Alcohol Intoxication
Published on: February 6, 2019
Identifying drunkenness in the night-time economy
Nick Perham1, Simon C Moore, Jonathan Shepherd
1Violence and Society Research Group, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
Addiction (Abingdon, England)
|February 15, 2007
Summary
Trained observers can accurately estimate blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in individuals. Observable signs like staggering gait and slurred speech are reliable indicators of intoxication.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Science
- Toxicology
- Public Health
Background:
- Defining legal intoxication requires clear indicators of drunkenness.
- Licensees need reliable methods to identify intoxicated patrons to prevent alcohol sales.
- Existing definitions of drunkenness lack objective, observable markers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To correlate blood alcohol concentration (BAC) with observable signs of intoxication.
- To validate field sobriety test indicators for assessing drunkenness.
- To identify transition BAC levels associated with noticeable behavioral changes.
Main Methods:
- Surveyors assessed gait, eyes, and speech for signs of intoxication in 314 females and 579 males.
- A 10-point Likert scale was used to rate observed drunkenness.
- Breathalyzer tests determined participants' blood alcohol concentration (BAC).
Main Results:
- Combinations of slurred speech, staggering gait, and glazed eyes significantly predicted BAC levels.
- Staggering gait was the strongest indicator of high levels of intoxication.
- Observer ratings of drunkenness correlated well with measured BAC.
Conclusions:
- Observable signs of intoxication, particularly gait and speech, can reliably estimate BAC.
- Transition BACs corresponding to observable behavioral changes were identified.
- Gait and speech assessments should form the basis for estimating drunkenness in legal and public health contexts.
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