Read this short extract

It is useful to distinguish between intoxication, which is the result of a particular blood alcohol level, and drunkenness, which refers to a range of behaviours that are somewhat independent of blood alcohol levels.  Alcohol is a drug with a moderate degree of plasticity meaning that its effects can be shaped to some extent by drinkers’ beliefs and perceptions of their internal and external environment – witness national stereotypes of drinking and how these cultures lead to people behaving differently even though they are consuming equivalent amounts of alcohol.

It follows that for any drunkenness incident the impact of culture and the environment on behaviour can be modified. For example, where the environment and the people in it are perceived as hostile, then aggressive or defensive behaviour is likely to ensue. Calm and unthreatening behaviour by staff will minimise the risk to all present and facilitate de-escalation. There are some key points to follow: i) make sure that both staff and patient can see an easy escape route; ii) introduce yourself and call the patient by their name; iii) get the patient to sit down and sit down yourself to avoid towering over them; iv) describe what you need the patient to do in order to de-escalate the situation; v) make facilitating rather than rejecting statements – for example instead of saying “you cannot be seen now” say “wait over here and I will see you in twenty minutes”. The senior practitioner present should be competent to take a lead in managing people exhibiting drunken and possibly aggressive behaviour. Training and a consistent team response are important for dealing effectively with these situations.

Raistrick D & Tober G (2021) Alcohol Use Disorders: Clinical Features and Treatment p.135 in E Day (ed.) Seminars in Addiction Psychiatry 2nd ed Cambridge University Press

When you are happy that you have done this task move on to the Motivational Dialogue reflections.