Handwriting of the alcoholic

Alcohol intoxication produces abnormal handwriting with manifestations that are thoroughly described in the literature of forensic science. A less known phenomenon is the peculiar handwriting changes found in alcoholics, especially individuals in the later stages of the disease. In addition to the two handwriting states of non-alcoholic drinkers (normal/sober and intoxicated) the alcoholic writer has a third state, handwriting done in withdrawal. Withdrawal is a state of tension resulting in handwriting characterized by irregularity, ataxia and tremor. This type of abnormal handwriting creates special problems of authentication requiring detailed background history and appropriate comparison specimens, but it can also be used to judge the writer's state of sobriety.