Arielle Cruz
When writing about an alcoholic character, it's important to remember that alcohol can affect people in various ways, and there is no one-size-fits-all description. However, there are some common traits and behaviours that can help portray an alcoholic character convincingly. Firstly, consider the physical signs of drunkenness, such as impaired motor control, unsteady movements, and exaggerated facial expressions. Alcohol also impacts decision-making, critical thinking, and emotional states, leading to unpredictable behaviour. The character's underlying emotions may become more apparent, and they may experience anger, sadness, or self-pity more intensely. Additionally, the progression of drunkenness, from tipsy to intoxicated, can be explored through their changing personality and thought processes. It's also worth noting that the rate at which a character gets drunk depends on various factors, including their size, drinking habits, and the type of drink. Lastly, don't forget to consider the consequences of heavy drinking, such as hangovers, withdrawal symptoms, and potential health issues.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Physical appearance | Glass, unfocused eyes with pupils trying to focus, slack jaw with mouth hanging open, flushed cheeks, exaggerated facial expressions |
| Walking | Stumbling, swaying, irregular footsteps, lurching unpredictably, bumping into walls or furniture, grabbing onto surfaces to stay upright |
| Speech | Slurred, incoherent, changes in tone, repetition, staggering words, faster speech, talking more, hiccupping while speaking |
| Behaviour | Belligerent, disobedient, giddy, sad, flirty, mean, sentimental, attention-seeking, bold, confident, playful, aggressive, hostile, angry, giggly, teary-eyed, clingy |
| Perception of reality | Distorted senses, world appears fuzzy, disorienting and surreal, objects appear to shift or blur, heightened or diminished senses |
| Hangover | Convey an appropriate hangover after drinking or the scene won't feel authentic |
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What You'll Learn
- Physical characteristics: Impaired motor control and balance, slurred words, glassy eyes, etc
- Personality changes: Heightened emotions, lowered inhibitions, distorted senses, etc
- Drunk dialogue: incoherence, repetition, changes in tone, faster speech, etc
- Drinking habits: drinking alone, drinking to excess, drinking in hazardous situations, etc
- Alcohol's effects: hangovers, blackouts, throwing up, passing out, etc
Physical characteristics: Impaired motor control and balance, slurred words, glassy eyes, etc
When writing about a drunk character, it is important to remember that alcohol affects people in different ways and causes them to behave unpredictably. Even so, there are some predictable physical characteristics that can help portray drunkenness.
One of the most obvious signs of drunkenness is impaired motor control and balance. A drunk character will stumble or sway as they walk, and their movements might be unsteady. They may bump into furniture or walls or need to grab onto surfaces to stay upright. Their footsteps will be irregular, and their body will lurch unpredictably as they try to keep their balance.
Another tell-tale sign is slurred speech. Their words may come out staggered, incoherent, or jumbled, with a lack of speaking coordination. Their tone may change, and they might repeat themselves or giggle while speaking. They could also hiccup or blush as they speak.
The effects of alcohol are also noticeable in a person's eyes. Glassy, unfocused eyes with pupils trying to focus as the world blurs around them are a hallmark of drunkenness. A slack jaw with the mouth hanging open further indicates a loss of muscle control.
Flushed cheeks and exaggerated facial expressions, such as big smiles or furrowed brows, can also be giveaways. As inhibitions lower, a character's underlying emotions may become more apparent. They may exhibit more or less emotion than usual, depending on their normal demeanor. For example, they may be quicker to anger, laughter, sadness, or self-pity, bottling up these emotions until they let them out in surprising outbursts.
It is also worth noting that the progression of drunkenness goes through several levels, including euphoria, excitement, confusion, and stupor. A character's behavior at each level may vary, and they may become belligerent, disobedient, sad, or giddy. While alcohol can amplify existing personality traits, it is important to remember that it does not change a person's personality.
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Personality changes: Heightened emotions, lowered inhibitions, distorted senses, etc
Alcohol can drastically alter a person's personality and emotions. While it doesn't cause major shifts for everyone, some people may seem completely different when they're drunk compared to when they're sober. Alcohol is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, which impairs the drinker's natural ability to regulate emotions, make decisions, and perform other cognitive functions.
When writing a drunk character, it's important to remember that alcohol amplifies existing personality traits rather than changing someone's personality entirely. For example, a shy person may become loud and outgoing after drinking, or a usually mild-mannered person may become aggressive or hostile. Additionally, alcohol lowers inhibitions, so a drunk character's underlying emotions will be more visible. They may be quicker to anger, laughter, sadness, or self-pity, bottling up their emotions until they erupt in surprising outbursts.
To portray a drunk character's altered perception of reality, use descriptive language that conveys a skewed perspective. For example, you might describe objects as shifting or blurring or exaggerate one sense while diminishing another. Describe the sights, sounds, smells, and textures the drunk character encounters, but do so in a way that reflects their state. For example, you might write about how the lights blur and dance or how the room spins even when they're standing still.
Drunk characters' dialogue and internal thoughts will also be affected by their intoxication. Their speech may be incoherent, repetitive, or full of suggestive comments, depending on their personality. They may also experience blackouts or memory lapses, which can be challenging to portray in the first person.
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Drunk dialogue: incoherence, repetition, changes in tone, faster speech, etc
When writing drunk dialogue, it's important to remember that alcohol affects everyone differently. Even so, there are some predictable effects that can help you craft believable drunk characters. Here are some tips to guide you:
Incoherence
A drunk character's speech often becomes incoherent, with disjointed and confusing ideas. They may struggle to form coherent sentences or thoughts, leading to fragmented speech patterns. Their words might slur, and their rhythm and tempo may become irregular, with fluctuations in pace. For example: "Wazzat? Whozere? Oh… s’jusyou Sammy… everything’zfine…"
Repetition
Drunk characters may repeat themselves, often due to impaired judgment or a fuzzy memory. For instance: "You’re… you’re my besht friend… no, really… besht friend…" Repetition can also take the form of themes, such as a character repeatedly expressing love or appreciation.
Changes in Tone
Alcohol can cause emotional shifts in a drunk character, leading to rapid changes in tone during dialogue. They might become overly emotional, aggressive, or even overly jovial, reflecting their altered state of mind. For example, a character might shift from anger to self-pity or from joy to sadness within the same conversation.
Faster Speech
Intoxication can cause some people to speak faster than usual. This could be due to lowered inhibitions or increased excitement. However, keep in mind that some drunk individuals may also speak more slowly due to impaired motor skills and coordination.
Other Considerations
In addition to the above, you can include physical actions such as staggering, blushing, burping, or hiccupping to emphasize the character's drunken state. Also, remember that a drunk character's perception of reality is altered, so you can use descriptive language to convey a skewed perspective. Finally, don't forget to show how other characters react to the drunk character, such as through eye-rolling or showing frustration, to further emphasize their intoxication.
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Drinking habits: drinking alone, drinking to excess, drinking in hazardous situations, etc
When writing about an alcoholic character, it's important to remember that their drinking habits will impact their behaviour, health, and overall character arc. Here are some paragraphs exploring various drinking habits and how they might be described in a script:
Drinking Alone
"The clinking of ice in the glass echoed through the empty house as Charlie took another sip. He sat in the dimly lit room, the only sound being the occasional glug from his bottle of whiskey. With no one around to judge or restrain him, Charlie could lose himself in the burn of the alcohol, numbing his sorrows and worries."
Drinking to Excess
"The party was in full swing, but amidst the laughter and music, Emma stood out. Her eyes, once bright and alert, now held a glassy, unfocused look. Her cheeks were flushed, and her speech slurred as she tried to form coherent sentences. As she stumbled, her friends steadied her, concerned looks on their faces. Emma, however, was oblivious to their worry, giggling uncontrollably and spilling her drink on herself."
Drinking in Hazardous Situations
"The construction site was littered with hazards, but Jake paid them no mind. He swigged from a flask, the strong burn of whiskey numbing his senses. He swayed dangerously close to the edge of a scaffold, his balance impaired. With unsteady hands, he lit a cigarette, the flame flickering dangerously close to the exposed fuel cans. His colleagues watched with a mix of concern and anger, knowing the site's strict no-alcohol policy."
Drinking as an Escape
"The world felt like it was crashing down on Sarah, and so she did what she always did—she reached for the bottle. The wine glass fogged as she poured, filling the air with the scent of fermented grapes. With each sip, she retreated further into herself, the alcohol dulling the sharp edges of her pain. The worries of her impending divorce and financial troubles blurred, leaving only the comforting haze of intoxication."
Health Consequences
"The doctor's words rang in their ears as they stared at the bottle of pills. 'Your liver enzymes are elevated,' she had said, recommending lifestyle changes. But here they were, popping the cork on a bottle of wine, the pills forgotten. They knew alcohol was harming their body, increasing their risk of cancer and other diseases. Yet, the pull of the drink was stronger than their fear, and they poured another glass, ignoring the warning signs."
Remember, these descriptions can be tailored to fit the specific context of your script and the unique characteristics of your alcoholic character.
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Alcohol's effects: hangovers, blackouts, throwing up, passing out, etc
Alcohol's effects are varied and wide-ranging, and they can be particularly challenging to write about. Here are some ideas and suggestions for describing a character's experience with alcohol, focusing on the physical and mental impacts, as well as the day after.
Physical Effects
The first and most obvious signs of drunkenness are impaired motor control and balance. A drunk character will stumble, sway, and bump into things as their steps falter and they struggle to walk in a straight line. Their movements are unsteady, and they may need to grab onto surfaces to stay upright. Their jaw may go slack, with their mouth hanging open, and their eyes may become glassy and unfocused, struggling to focus on the world around them. Their cheeks may flush, and their facial expressions become exaggerated, with big smiles or furrowed brows.
Mental and Emotional Effects
Alcohol can distort a person's senses, making the world fuzzy, disorienting, and surreal. It can alter their perception of reality, with objects shifting or blurring. One sense may be exaggerated while another is diminished. The room may spin, and sounds may become pulsing and throbbing. Additionally, alcohol impairs judgment and critical thinking. It lowers inhibitions, leading to a lack of control over emotions. A character may become quicker to anger, laughter, sadness, or self-pity, bottling up emotions until they explode in surprising outbursts.
Blackouts and Memory Lapses
Another effect of alcohol is blackouts or memory lapses, where a character may completely forget what happened during a drinking episode. This can be a powerful tool to create suspense or fill in narrative gaps.
Hangovers
Conveying an appropriate hangover is crucial for authenticity. Describe the character's physical symptoms, such as a throbbing headache, nausea, dehydration, and sensitivity to light and sound. Mentally, they may feel foggy, confused, and regretful, struggling to piece together the previous night's events. Hangovers can also impact a character's motivation and decision-making, leading to a day of inaction or impulsive behavior.
Extreme Cases
In extreme cases of alcohol consumption, a character may experience vomiting, passing out, or even alcohol poisoning. These consequences can be pivotal moments in a narrative, forcing the character to confront their relationship with alcohol or serving as a turning point in their arc.
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