Job-Aids-Complete-Package - Standard Drinks & Intoxication Signs Guide

Sep 30, 2026

Upload by Logic

Guide explains how to calculate a Standard Drink by using alcohol percentage to convert beverage serving sizes into equivalent units. It then defines intoxication and lists physical, mental/cognitive, and social signs that indicate impaired judgment, coordination, and self-control. A red/yellow/green traffic-light serving system provides practical thresholds: stop for multiple signs, caution when early signs appear, and proceed when no signs are observed. It also includes an Ontario-style BAC estimation chart for Standard Drinks over time and notes other factors affecting BAC.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages27

Reading Time1 h 8 min

AccessFree to download

Standard Drinks

Beer, wine, and spirits serving sizes

How to calculate a Standard Drink

Signs of intoxication

Physical signs

Mental/cognitive signs

Social signs

Smart Serve Ontario serving approach

Red: stop

Yellow: caution

Green: go

BAC estimation chart

Estimated body weight and BAC by time

BEER 12 ounces (341 mL) of beer (including cider) with 5% alcohol. WINE 5 ounces (142 mL) of wine with 12% alcohol. SPIRITS 1.5 ounces (43 mL) of spirits with 40% alcohol. Each of these drinks contains exactly the same amount of alcohol (0 .6 ounces or 17 mL of pure alcohol), and will have the same effect on the body. EXAMPLE: A drink containing 40% alcohol would require a serving size of 1.5 ounces to be considered a Standard Drink. The calculation is: 60 ÷ 40 = 1.5 SMART SERVE ONTARIO [www. smartserve. ca](www. smartserve. ca) ~~ ~~ A Standard Drink is a benchmark that can help you estimate the amount of alcohol each customer is consuming. ~~ ~~ HOW TO CALCULATE A STANDARD DRINK 60 ÷ ALCOHOL PERCENTAGE = AMOUNT (IN OUNCES) Intoxication is a state in which a person's normal capacity to think, act and move is impaired by alcohol, cannabis, and/or other drugs. Physical signs of intoxication are based on changes in an individual’s appearance, movements, and vital signs. PHYSICAL Change in vital signs and physical appearance: ∙∙∙ Breathing is noticeably slower/shallower ∙∙∙ Excessive sweating; may smell of alcohol and/or cannabis ∙∙∙ Face is flushed/red face ∙∙∙ Eyes are red/glassy/expressionless ∙∙∙ Pupils are dilated Change in energy: ∙∙∙ Looking tired; sleepy; passing out Loss of hand-eye coordination: ∙∙∙ Unable to pick up change ∙∙∙ Spilling or knocking over drinks ∙∙∙ Fumbling with phone Loss of motor control and balance: ∙∙∙ Unable to sit straight in a chair ∙∙∙ Swaying; stumbling; bumping into things ∙∙∙ Holding onto chairs or tables for support ∙∙∙ Falling down; holding out arms for balance ∙∙∙ Difficulty walking in a straight line or moving around objects Mental/cognitive signs of intoxication are based on an individual’s loss of self-control and inhibitions, loss of memory, and a decreasing ability to make good decisions. MENTAL/COGNITIVE Change in speech: ∙∙∙ Speaking louder than necessary ∙∙∙ Slurring words ∙∙∙ Using foul language ∙∙∙ Talking too slow, too fast, or both Loss of memory: ∙∙∙ Leaving a drink on a table or bar and then ordering another ∙∙∙ Forgetting where they are, or where they came from ∙∙∙ Forgetting names ∙∙∙ Repeating stories, jokes, or conversations Decrease in alertness: ∙∙∙ Slower response to questions ∙∙∙ Losing train of thought; lacking concentration ∙∙∙ Unable to do simple calculations (for example, paying the bill) Loss of self-control and inhibitions: ∙∙∙ Drinking faster ∙∙∙ Becoming animated and boisterous ∙∙∙ Talking to strangers ∙∙∙ Complaining about the price of drinks, or how they’re made ∙∙∙ Making irrational statements Making poor decisions: ∙∙∙ Being careless with money ∙∙∙ Ordering two drinks at a time, or ordering doubles ∙∙∙ Wanting to drive while intoxicated Social signs of intoxication are based on how an individual interacts with you and others. SOCIAL Change in social interactions: ∙∙∙ Being overly friendly and starting conversations with strangers ∙∙∙ Buying a round of drinks for strangers ∙∙∙ Being argumentative ∙∙∙ Becoming aggressive ∙∙∙ Making sexual advances ∙∙∙ Annoying other guests SMART SERVE ONTARIO [www. smartserve. ca](www. smartserve. ca) Counting drinks is not always a realistic way to judge a customer’s level of intoxication, especially if they have been drinking or using drugs before they enter your workplace. For this reason, a traffic light system of “red, yellow and green” can be helpful in determining whether or not it is safe to serve your customers. RED means stop Assess your customer and choose RED if they are showing multiple signs of intoxication. This customer cannot be served alcohol. You are responsible for an intoxicated customer until he or she is sober again and you will need to take steps to ensure their safety. YELLOW means caution/slow down Assess your customer and choose YELLOW if the customer is beginning to show signs

FAQs

How is a Standard Drink calculated from alcohol percentage?

Divide 60 by the alcohol percentage to get the serving amount in ounces. For example, 60 ÷ 40 = 1.5 ounces for a 40% drink.

What physical signs may indicate intoxication?

Physical signs include slower/shallow breathing, excessive sweating, flushed face, red/glassy eyes, and dilated pupils, along with reduced energy such as appearing tired or passing out.

How does the traffic light system determine whether it is safe to serve alcohol?

Choose RED when multiple intoxication signs are present and the customer cannot be served. Choose YELLOW when early signs begin to appear. Choose GREEN when there are no signs of intoxication, indicating a likely BAC of 0.05 or less.

Sep 30, 2026

Upload by Logic