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'Alcohol intoxication' or 'drunkenness': is there a difference?

K J Rix

    Medicine, Science, and the Law
    |April 1, 1989
    PubMed
    Summary
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    Distinguishing alcohol intoxication from drunkenness is crucial. Behavior attributed to alcohol may stem from cultural expectations, not just alcohol presence, impacting clinical and legal judgments.

    Area of Science:

    • Forensic Toxicology
    • Social Psychology
    • Medical Diagnosis

    Background:

    • The terms 'alcohol intoxication' and 'drunkenness' are often used interchangeably in clinical and legal contexts.
    • Existing diagnostic methods for alcohol intoxication rely on clinical signs, which have shown significant inaccuracies.
    • Anthropological research suggests cultural expectations influence alcohol-related behaviors more than the substance itself.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To propose a clear distinction between the physiological state of alcohol intoxication and the behavioral state of drunkenness.
    • To advocate for evidence-based diagnostic criteria for alcohol intoxication.
    • To address the clinical and legal implications arising from the interchangeable use of these terms.

    Main Methods:

    Related Experiment Videos

  • Review of anthropological research on alcohol consumption and behavior.
  • Analysis of clinical diagnostic accuracy for alcohol intoxication.
  • Examination of legal case data involving arrests for drunkenness.

    • Main Results:

    • Behavioral changes after alcohol consumption are significantly influenced by cultural expectations and beliefs.
    • Clinical assessment of alcohol intoxication exhibits notable false-positive and false-negative rates.
    • A proportion of deaths in police custody for drunkenness involve individuals with negligible alcohol levels and unrelated causes of death.

    Conclusions:

    • Alcohol intoxication should be defined by the presence of alcohol in body fluids or tissues, confirmed by toxicological evidence.
    • Drunkenness should describe behaviors associated with alcohol consumption, perceived consumption, or the desire to appear as if alcohol has been consumed.
    • This distinction is vital for accurate medical diagnosis and fair legal proceedings.