Drunk Parents? How To Tell If Your Parents Are Drunk

Does your parent seem a little more than tipsy when they come home from work? Does it seem like their drinking habits have changed recently? Maybe you're wondering: How do I know if my mom or dad is drunk? If you ever find yourself questioning whether or not your parents drank too much alcohol, there are a few telltale signs that will help you figure it out. In this blog post, we will discuss 7 common signs of drunkenness and what they mean.

1. Your parents have been drinking for hours in large quantities.

Not everyone is the same when it comes to how much alcohol their body can tolerate. This means that someone who is already drunk may not show any signs of drunkenness at all. But one clue that can pinpoint if your parents are already drunk is if they have been drinking for hours, nonstop.

If they are only drinking one or two glasses of wine while watching a 2-hour movie, this does not necessarily count. But for instance, if you see them drinking bottles and bottles of beer from early afternoon until night time, this is definitely a sign that they are drunk.

2. They smell of alcohol.

One of the obvious signs that a person has been drinking alcohol is how they smell. The smell of alcohol on a person's breath can range from being very strong and obvious to just barely noticeable, depending if the person has consumed their drink quickly or slowly respectively. Usually, one or two drinks will not heavily affect how a person's breath smells. However, someone who has drunk too much alcohol will definitely smell of it even if you don't go close to them.

You have to take note that smelling like booze isn't 100% reliable though because sometimes people who are drunk have different alcoholic drinks that don't share many common smells and so they might not always "smell" like anything in particular when you know they've been drinking. For instance, beer and wine can cause strong odors. But stronger drinks like vodka, especially when mixed with fruity cocktails will not smell anything at all.

3. Your parents are slurring their words or have trouble speaking.

If your parents are drunk, they will have trouble speaking clearly. Slurred speech is characterized by not being able to pronounce words properly and having a difficult time finishing sentences. So if you notice a change in their speech patterns, this is one of the first signs that your parents might be drinking too much alcohol.

4. Their balance is off and they are unsteady on their feet.

Loss of coordination is often a sign of someone consuming too much alcohol. If your parents are having a hard time walking  or keeping their balance, this is one of the signs that they are drunk. Their movements will become slow and delayed. Some people who drink too much often stumble and need to be carried.

5. You cannot carry a sensible conversation with them.

Some people who get drunk do not necessarily slur their words or lose their balance. It is even common for someone who has had one too many drinks to become very social and talkative. However, one sign that they've had too much to drink is if you are unable to carry a sensible conversation with them. While they may keep talking, they will usually be confused and may talk about things that are irrelevant. They may also look dazed when spoken to and cannot answer simple questions.

6. They are forgetful of things.

One of the most obvious signs that your parents were drunk is if they don't seem to remember anything about their night after drinking too much alcohol. If someone doesn't know how many drinks they had or where they went while intoxicated then it's likely a clear sign that person was very drunk.  This is a sign that your parents should be watched closely in case more harmful behaviors develop from over-consumption of alcohol.

7. They are showing unusually aggressive or emotional behavior.

People who are drunk often show unusual aggressive or emotional behavior. You may notice that they are yelling at you for no reason, throwing things around the room, and generally being difficult to deal with. Many times when people are drunk they have lost control of their actions and may not be able to take care of themselves or their kids.

For children of parents who are drunk, this can be a very hurtful and even dangerous situation.  If your parents become violent, you have to ask for help. Call a trusted adult or for emergency help if you feel that you cannot manage the situation.

If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, help is available.

Contact Anaheim Lighthouse today.