Training Modules
Spotting Intoxication
It is an offence under Ontario law to sell or supply liquor or permit liquor to be sold or supplied to any person who is or appears to be intoxicated. To support you in recognizing customers who are intoxicated, it is important to recognize both the physical and cognitive effects of intoxication.
Physical Signs of Intoxication
The physical signs of intoxication in customers may be as follows:
Slower or shallower breathing.
Excessive perspiration, with the perspiration often carrying the smell of alcohol.
Face can appear flushed or red.
Eyes can appear red, glassy, and expressionless, with dilated pupils.
Swaying, stumbling, or bumping into things. At times, the customer may hold onto objects or people for stability.
A lack of dexterity, with the customer fumbling with credit cards, phones, or other held objects.
Cognitive Signs of Intoxication
The cognitive signs of intoxication in customers may be as follows:
Speaking louder than necessary, with slurred words. Often, the pacing of speech will be either too fast, too slow or some combination of both.
Forgetfulness – this often presents when the customer struggles to recall where their money or wallet is located.
Lack of focus; the customer is slow to respond to questions, repeats conversation, and struggles with basic tasks like making payment.
Overly animated or boisterous, or impulsive. Intoxication can present as being overly friendly – starting conversations with strangers – or as a customer expressing constant dissatisfaction, complaining about things like product prices.
Some medical conditions can produce signs of intoxication. A customer exhibiting one sign of intoxication may not mean that the customer is intoxicated. Due to this, it is important to monitor the customer carefully to determine whether a customer is intoxicated.
