Recognizing Intoxication and Preventing Over-Service
Domain 3 - Recognizing intoxication and preventing over-service. The exam tests whether you can spot a drinker who has had enough, count drinks accurately, and explain why 'they looked fine' is not a defense.
What the law requires
Indiana prohibits selling or furnishing alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person and to a habitual drunkard (the ATC notifies licensees of persons under that declaration). The standard is observable impairment, not a blood-alcohol number. A guest can be under 0.08% and still visibly intoxicated, or over it and composed. Serving an intoxicated person is a violation even if they never drive.
Signs to watch
- Speech: slurred, louder than the room, repeating.
- Motor: swaying, gripping furniture, spilled drinks, missed handshake.
- Eyes: bloodshot, unfocused, drooping.
- Behavior: sudden mood change, aggression, over-tipping, ordering rounds, insisting 'I am fine'.
- Pace: three drinks in the first hour, empty glasses accumulating, switching to shots.
Slowing the pace
Count standard drinks: 12 oz regular beer at 5%, 5 oz wine at 12%, 1.5 oz 80-proof spirits - each roughly one drink. The body clears about one drink per hour. Food and water slow absorption but do not sober anyone up; coffee, cold air, and a shower do not lower BAC.
Worked example
A guest arrives at 8 p.m. and by 9:15 has had four mixed drinks, is talking over the music, and knocks over a glass. Your move: cut off alcohol, offer water and food, close the tab, arrange a ride. Reasoning: four drinks in 75 minutes plus two observable signs meets the visibly intoxicated standard; continuing service creates an ATC violation and dram shop exposure if the guest drives.
Traps that cost marks
- Waiting for a guest to look obviously drunk; early signs are behavioral.
- Assuming food sobers up a guest.
- Cutting off one member of a group while serving friends who buy for them.
- Serving a 'virgin' drink without confirming it is actually non-alcoholic.