Alcohol consumption affects people in different ways, but excessive drinking often follows a predictable pattern. Understanding the five stages of being drunk can help individuals recognize when casual drinking crosses into dangerous territory. From feeling a light buzz to reaching the point of serious health risks, knowing these stages is key to identifying problematic drinking habits. If you or someone you love regularly experiences these stages, it may be time to evaluate the role alcohol plays in your life and consider seeking professional help. Recognizing the signs early on can make all the difference in preventing long-term harm.
What Are the 5 Stages of Being Drunk?
The consumption of alcohol has long been a part of human socialization. The first recorded alcoholic beverage dates back as early as 7000 B.C.—and they have been consistently part of social gatherings since then. While partaking in alcohol may seem like a harmless bit of fun, a person must always be mindful of how much they have consumed. When drinking alcohol becomes a problem, it is not the act of drinking but the volume and frequency that one drinks.
If you are worried that you or a loved one may be struggling with alcohol use disorder, observe behaviors and see if you can pick out the five stages of being intoxicated with alcohol:
1. Being Tipsy
Being tipsy is the first stage of alcohol intoxication, typically occurring after one or two drinks, depending on factors like body weight and tolerance. At this stage, alcohol has entered the bloodstream and begins to affect the central nervous system, leading to a light buzz and the release of endorphins. This results in a sense of happiness and relaxation, making the person feel more social, talkative, and confident. Mild physical effects, such as a warming sensation or light-headedness, may also occur, though the person may not yet recognize they are becoming intoxicated.
Despite feeling in control, subtle impairments to judgment and reaction times begin at the tipsy stage. While the person may feel more at ease and sociable, their ability to make decisions or accurately assess their level of intoxication may be affected. This can lead to a risk of overconsumption, as the individual might underestimate how much they’ve had to drink and continue consuming alcohol without recognizing the potential for progressing to more dangerous stages of intoxication.
2. Intoxication
As the person consumes additional drinks, they move into the intoxication stage, where the effects of alcohol become more pronounced. Inhibitions begin to lower significantly, leading to more carefree and uninhibited behavior. The individual may appear more excitable and excessively chatty, engaging in louder conversations or bolder actions than they would normally consider when sober. This stage is often characterized by a heightened sense of euphoria, where the person feels even more confident, social, and adventurous. However, the increasing blood alcohol concentration (BAC) means that their ability to assess risks and consequences begins to diminish. The person may feel a false sense of control, believing they are still in command of their actions, even as alcohol starts to cloud their judgment.
At this stage, the individual’s BAC has likely exceeded the legal limit for driving, making it unsafe for them to operate a vehicle or engage in tasks requiring coordination and focus. Judgment becomes noticeably impaired, leading to riskier decisions and behaviors they might normally avoid, such as reckless driving, impulsive actions, or inappropriate social interactions. Physically, their motor skills may start to decline as coordination weakens and balance becomes more difficult to maintain. This is when slurred speech, clumsiness, and difficulty concentrating become more apparent, signaling that the person is in a state of intoxication. The intoxicating effects may be enjoyable in the moment, but they are also a warning that the person is losing control, potentially leading to more severe stages of drunkenness if consumption continues.
3. Being Drunk
When a person consumes alcohol beyond the recommended limits for social drinking, they enter the stage of being drunk, where both physical and mental impairments become increasingly evident. At this point, those around them will often notice significant changes in their behavior, such as erratic actions, exaggerated emotions, or inappropriate social interactions. Friends or companions may start suggesting the individual stop drinking, as their intoxication becomes more concerning. The person may exhibit a range of noticeable symptoms, such as excessive laughter, overconfidence, or even agitation. Social cues become harder to interpret, leading to awkward or misjudged responses in conversations. Their ability to assess their surroundings and actions diminishes, which can result in poor decision-making, such as continuing to drink despite obvious signs of intoxication.
Physically, the effects of alcohol at this stage are far more pronounced. The individual may struggle with coordination and balance, becoming clumsy and prone to accidents like tripping or knocking over objects. Their speech often becomes slurred, and simple tasks, such as walking or standing up, may require extra effort. Reaction times slow significantly, and fine motor skills are severely impaired. Mentally, the person’s awareness and cognitive abilities are compromised, making it difficult for them to process information clearly or follow conversations. The combination of mental fog and physical impairment increases the risk of injury or dangerous behavior, as the individual may not realize their own limitations or the hazards around them. Being drunk represents a critical point in alcohol consumption, where the risk of harm—both to the person and to others—grows significantly if drinking continues.
4. Stupor
The stupor stage occurs when a person has consumed a dangerously high amount of alcohol, pushing their body and brain to critical limits. At this stage, the individual’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is alarmingly elevated, typically well beyond the threshold for alcohol poisoning. Physically, the person may feel extremely sick and disoriented. Nausea and vomiting are common, as the body attempts to rid itself of the excessive alcohol. They may also struggle to stay conscious, slipping in and out of awareness or completely passing out. The body’s ability to regulate essential functions, like temperature and breathing, starts to falter, posing a significant threat to the individual’s health. Despite how severe their condition might be, the person may not fully comprehend the danger they are in due to their mental and physical impairment.
In the stupor stage, the person’s central nervous system is heavily suppressed, leading to impaired motor function and dangerously slow or irregular breathing. At this point, their movements may become erratic or nearly nonexistent as they struggle to move or communicate. Vomiting while unconscious presents a high risk of choking, especially since their gag reflex may be impaired. Breathing can become labored or shallow, and in some cases, the person may even stop breathing temporarily. Heart rate and body temperature can drop to perilous levels, increasing the risk of hypothermia and shock. Immediate medical intervention is critical in this stage to prevent further complications like alcohol poisoning, coma, or death. If left untreated, a person in this stage faces life-threatening consequences, making it crucial to seek emergency assistance.
5. Coma and Possible Death
When a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) reaches approximately 0.40 or higher, they enter the most severe and life-threatening stage of alcohol intoxication, where coma and even death become real possibilities. At this point, the body is overwhelmed by the amount of alcohol in the bloodstream, and vital functions begin to shut down. The central nervous system, which controls essential bodily functions like breathing, heart rate, and body temperature, becomes heavily suppressed. As a result, the person’s heart rate may slow dangerously, and their blood pressure can drop to critical levels. In some cases, their body temperature may plummet, leading to hypothermia, which can cause organ failure. Additionally, the risk of respiratory failure increases as the person’s breathing may become extremely shallow or stop entirely. Without immediate medical intervention, the person is at serious risk of slipping into a coma or dying.
In this stage, alcohol poisoning can lead to complete unconsciousness, where the person is unresponsive to external stimuli and unable to wake up. Their body can no longer manage the alcohol’s toxic effects, and life-saving processes like oxygen delivery to the brain and heart may fail. If the heart stops or the person stops breathing, death can occur within minutes. Even if they survive, there’s a high likelihood of permanent brain damage or other long-term complications if left untreated for too long. This is a critical medical emergency requiring immediate intervention, such as intravenous fluids, oxygen therapy, or even resuscitation. Time is of the essence, as alcohol poisoning at this stage can quickly lead to irreversible damage or death if professional help is not sought right away.
What stage is typically reached when you or your loved one consumes alcohol? How frequently do they drink to the point of intoxication at that stage? If the person consistently reaches stage three or four, it may be necessary to assess whether they have an alcohol use disorder.
What Are the Symptoms of Alcohol Addiction?
Recognizing the signs of alcohol addiction is crucial for identifying when drinking has escalated into a serious problem. If someone regularly drinks to the point of stupor, it may be a sign of alcohol dependence. Here are some common symptoms of alcohol addiction:
- Increased Tolerance: They need to drink more alcohol to achieve the same effects they used to feel with smaller amounts.
- Preoccupation with Drinking: They spend excessive time drinking, recovering from hangovers, or being intoxicated, which interferes with daily life.
- Neglect of Responsibilities: Drinking becomes their priority, often leading to neglect of work, social commitments, or personal relationships.
- Withdrawal Symptoms: When they stop drinking, they experience withdrawal symptoms such as shaking, sweating, or anxiety, making it difficult to quit.
If you or someone you know is showing these symptoms, it’s important to seek help from an alcohol addiction treatment program. The right treatment can provide the support needed to achieve long-term sobriety and regain control of life.
Enroll in Alcohol Addiction Treatment at Ashwood Recovery
At our outpatient center at Ashwood Recovery in Boise, Idaho, we offer flexible treatment programs that can be catered to each patient’s budget and schedule. We believe in a holistic treatment approach supporting long-term recovery, including a host of after-care programs to ensure continued sobriety. Our friendly and well-trained staff are ready to assist you or your loved one on the road to a sober lifestyle. Contact our team online or call 888.341.3607 today and start the journey towards recovery.