Overview

Drunkenness, also called alcohol intoxication, describes a state in which drinking disrupts normal cognition, coordination and behaviour. A person who is intoxicated is commonly referred to as "drunk." The condition results when ethanol or other alcohols affect the central nervous system after absorption into the bloodstream. Medical and legal definitions vary; see intoxicated for related terminology and alcohol for the substance involved. Alcohol alters the function of the brain and other organs, producing the characteristic effects of drunkenness.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms appear on a continuum from mild changes in mood and judgment to severe physical impairment. Common signs include:

  • Impaired coordination, slowed reflexes and unsteady walking
  • Reduced inhibition, altered speech, slurred words and impaired concentration
  • Nausea, vomiting and possible confusion or memory lapses
  • In extreme cases: unconsciousness, dangerously slow breathing, hypothermia and risk of aspiration

Causes and measurement

The intensity of effects depends on the amount and concentration of alcohol consumed, body size, sex, metabolic rate, recent food intake and tolerance. Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is used to quantify intoxication; legal driving limits differ by country and are commonly set between about 0.05% and 0.08%.

Risks and complications

Beyond immediate accidents and injuries, repeated heavy drinking increases long‑term risks such as liver disease, cardiovascular problems and dependence. Acute alcohol poisoning is a medical emergency. Withdrawal from heavy, prolonged use can also be medically dangerous and sometimes requires supervised treatment.

Context, culture and law

Attitudes toward drunkenness have varied across cultures and eras: many societies regulate public drinking, set age limits, and impose penalties for intoxicated driving. Social responses range from informal stigma to clinical intervention for substance use disorders.

Prevention and response

Harm reduction strategies include setting personal limits, avoiding binge drinking, ensuring safe transport, and seeking medical help for anyone showing severe symptoms. Treatment options for problematic drinking span counseling, support groups and medical therapies supervised by healthcare professionals.