At one time or another, almost everyone drinks more than he or she should have. Sometimes emotional factors contribute to excessive consumption. At other times, people miscalculate the strength of what they are drinking or forget they haven’t eaten beforehand. When this happens, the immediate issue is not why someone has become intoxicated, but what to do about it. The behavior of someone who has become intoxicated is unpredictable at best. There are, however, some practical approaches one can take.

• Alcohol affects the brain, and a person who is heavily under its influence is not able to be rational. Therefore, to argue or attempt to reason with a person in an intoxicated
  condition is likely to yield only frustration for both parties.
  
• An intoxicated person can, however, sense how those around feel toward her or him. Through tone of voice, expression, and movements, one can both demonstrate concern for the welfare of the intoxicated person and try to help the person remain calm.
  
• Only time allows the body to metabolize alcohol. Drinking coffee or taking a cold shower does not reduce intoxication, and maybe dangerous (e.g. risk for choking; risk of falling).
  
• If a person becomes aggressive or belligerent, it is important to keep calm. Appearing nervous will probably transfer anxiety and accelerate the situation. Be direct, but not authoritarian. Present positive alternatives to the individual. Show respect, but define your limits and stick to them. Try to get the person seated and/or distracted if they’ve become angry. If you need help, call UNI Public Safety at 273-4000.
  
• If an intoxicated person falls asleep or passes out, monitor his or her breathing. Do not allow the person to remain lying on his or her back. Place the individual on his/her side. An intoxicated person can suffocate by vomiting while sleeping. Make sure they can be roused and can respond to questions. If they cannot respond or become uncontrollable, call for help immediately.
  
• At all costs, an intoxicated person should be kept from driving. Have a plan for taking care of someone who has drunk too much and don’t be afraid to implement it. Offer to call a cab or allow your guest to spend the night. If he or she insists on driving, car keys should be calmly and firmly taken away. Another approach is to disconnect the car’s distributor so it won’t start. Since even a small amount of alcohol can alter the ability to drive safely, if there is any doubt at all, use the precautions listed above.

How do you handle an intoxicated person? Do’s and Don’ts

• DO demonstrate concern for person’s welfare. Talk in a calm, non-judgmental voice in order to reassure him/her.
  
• DO find out what the person was drinking, how much, over what time period, and if the alcohol was consumed with any other drugs or medicines.
  
• DO explain what you intend to do, speaking in a clear, firm, reassuring manner.
  
• DO arrange for someone to stay with a person who is vomiting.
  
• DO encourage the intoxicated person to lie down and sleep, making sure to lie on his/her side. This prevents accidental death by choking should he/she begin to vomit. Be sure to check the person every 30 minutes for the first two hours and then every hour to make sure they are responive and are breathing. If they do not respond call 911 for assistance. Remember, a person’s BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) level may continue to rise depending on how much they’ve had to drink and how recently s/he consumed the alcohol.
  
• DO call for help if the person becomes uncontrollable or you sense an impending medical emergency, UNI Public Safety 273-4000.
  
  
• DON’T attempt to constrain the person.
  
• DON’T keep the person awake.
  
• DON’T give the person any medication, even aspirin. Aspirin may irritate the stomach lining.
  
• DON’T give the person food, coffee, tea, or other liquids. S/he is at risk for choking.
  
• DON’T induce vomiting.
  
• DON’T give the person a cold shower
  
• DON’T assume that every intoxicated person who passes out will sleep it off. Check his/her breathing at regular intervals. Don’t leave them alone.
  
• DON’T let a drunken student operate a car, motorcycle or bicycle.
  
• DON’T leave him/her alone.
  

Life Threatening Situations

• Unconsciousness
  
• Respiratory difficulties
  (weak breathing, cessation of breathing, or a person with bluish or pale colored skin)
  
• Increased, decreased, or irregular pulse. Severe circulatory problems are indicated by an irregular pulse or a pulse above 100 or below 60 beats per minute
  
• Vomiting while semiconscious or unconscious
  
• Convulsions
  
  

Unconsciousness
If a person appears to be unconscious, try to awaken the individual by gently shaking him/her and calling their name, if you know it. If the person does not respond, call 911.

Check to see if the person is breathing. If not ask someone to 911. You should take these steps while waiting for the ambulance:

• Check to see if their airway is open.
  
• If the airway is blocked, establish an airway. If breathing does not resume immediately, give artificial ventilation.
  
• When paramedics arrive, share what care has been provided, the person’s condition, and the amount of alcohol consumed.