How Can I Help A Drunk Friend?

Did you call 911 if a drunk person needs help walking, is completely confused, has nausea, vomits, or feels like he will faint?

Do you know that you should not leave a drunk person alone?

Have you set a drunk person to sit upright?

Are you trying to keep a drunk person awake?

If a drunk person is awake, do you let him sip water?

Did you cover the drunk person with a warm blanket?

If a drunk person fainted, did you put him lying on his side?

Do you know that a drunk person should not be given coffee or medicine, forced to eat or vomit?

Do you avoid giving a cold shower to a drunk person?

Have you forbid a drunk person to continue drinking alcohol?

Based on your answers, there are a few more ways to help a drunk friend. The first thing to do is to stop a drunk person from drinking alcohol. Never allow a drunk person to "sleep it off" because alcohol is probably still being digested and the amount of alcohol in the blood may rise at any time, which may result in worsening of symptoms. Do not put a person in a cold shower, as this could increase hypothermia (dangerously low body temperature). Also, there is no positive effect if you walk a drunk person around. Conversely, it can fall and be additionally injured due to impaired coordination.

Based on your answers, you know a lot about how to help a drunk person. If a drunk person is conscious, he should sit upright and sip water to help dehydration and expel toxins from the body. A drunk person should not be forced to eat or vomit, because his gag reflex may not work, so he may suffocate. Also, coffee contributes to dehydration, so a drunk person should avoid it. An unconscious drunk person should be placed on his side so that he does not suffocate if he suddenly starts vomiting. If you called 911, tell the paramedic about his symptoms and how much he drank.