Herbie Murray
It is important to know when it is safe to let a drunk person sleep. Sleeping off alcohol can be dangerous as blood alcohol levels can continue to rise even after passing out, leading to alcohol poisoning or choking on vomit. If someone is extremely drunk, it is recommended to keep them awake and supervised until they are sober. However, if they are ready to sleep, they should be placed on their side to prevent choking. Additionally, their breathing should be monitored, and they should be checked for signs of confusion, disorientation, or vomiting. If any of these symptoms are present, it is best to call emergency services or take them to the hospital. While it is impossible to sober up quickly, drinking caffeine may provide a second wind, but it does not speed up the metabolism of alcohol.
How to Wake a Sleeping Drunk Person
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Monitor their breathing | Check if their breathing is steady and not difficult. Call an ambulance if it becomes irregular or drops to fewer than 8 breaths per minute. |
| Check for vomiting | Make sure they have not vomited without waking up, as this could cause them to choke. Keep a bucket or bowl next to their bed. |
| Sleeping position | Place them on their side with pillows in front and behind them so they don't roll over. |
| Keep them warm | Alcohol lowers body temperature, so provide a blanket or cover. |
| Keep them hydrated | Give them water to counteract the dehydrating effects of alcohol. |
| Caffeine | Caffeine can make them feel more awake, but it won't speed up the metabolism of alcohol. |
| Cold shower | A cold shower can give them a second wind, but it won't reverse the effects of alcohol and may cause them to lose consciousness. |
| Medical assistance | If they are completely unresponsive, seek immediate medical assistance. |
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What You'll Learn
Check their breathing is steady and they haven't vomited
It is important to monitor a drunk person every 10 minutes to check their breathing is steady and they haven't vomited. This is because a person could vomit without waking up, and if they are not in the recovery position, they could choke on their vomit. Additionally, a person's blood alcohol level can continue to rise while they sleep, leading to alcohol poisoning.
To check their breathing, first, gently shake their shoulders and shout for help. If they do not respond, this indicates that they are unconscious. Next, check their airway by opening their mouth and looking inside. If their mouth is clear, tilt their head gently back by lifting their chin and check for breathing. Look for chest movements, listen by putting your ear near their mouth and nose, and feel for breaths by putting your hand on the lower part of their chest.
If the person is breathing but unconscious, turn them onto their side, being careful to keep their head, neck, and spine in alignment. This is known as the recovery position and helps to keep their airway open. Continue to monitor their breathing and ensure that they remain on their side.
If the person is not breathing or is breathing irregularly, call emergency services and begin CPR if you are trained to do so.
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Keep them upright for a few hours, or place them on their side
If you are with a drunk person who is ready to go to sleep, it is important to know when it is safe to let them sleep. Alcohol poisoning is a serious emergency that can occur when a person's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) reaches a certain level. It is important to monitor the person while they are sleeping. Even if the person does not have alcohol poisoning when they fall asleep, they could develop it while they sleep as their body continues to process the alcohol.
If the person needs to lie down, place them on their side instead of their back. This is called the "recovery position" and ensures they get relatively restful sleep without the risk of choking on their own vomit if they get sick. Place pillows in front and behind them so they don't roll over. If the person is awake, give them water and a light meal of bland food, unless they are nauseous or vomiting.
If the person is sleeping, monitor their breathing. If their breathing becomes irregular or drops to fewer than eight breaths per minute, call an ambulance. Make sure they are in a safe place where they cannot fall or injure themselves. Keep them warm with a blanket. Alcohol lowers your body temperature, so even if you're in a relatively warm place, a drunk person might be cold.
If the person is sleeping, check on them every 10 minutes. See if their breathing is steady, if they've vomited, or if they've rolled over. They could still be getting more drunk as they sleep. For the first hour, wake them up to make sure there are signs of life (e.g., eyes open, push you away).
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Keep them warm with a blanket
Keeping a drunk person warm with a blanket is important as alcohol lowers your body temperature, and they might feel cold even in a warm place. Here are some detailed steps to help you keep a drunk person warm and safe:
First, assess whether the drunk person needs to sleep or not. Ask them how much they've had to drink, and when they last ate. If they are awake, offer them water and a light meal of bland food, unless they are nauseous or vomiting. If the person is ready to sleep, lay them on their side, in the recovery position, with pillows in front and behind them to prevent them from rolling onto their back or stomach. This position ensures their airway remains clear and open, reducing the risk of choking on vomit.
Next, offer them a blanket or some form of cover to keep them warm. Make sure there is no cold air blowing on them directly. Respect their autonomy and do not force the blanket on them if they refuse or kick it off. Simply keep an eye out for signs that they might be getting chilly, such as shivering.
It is crucial to monitor the person while they sleep. Check on them every 10 minutes to ensure their breathing is steady and they have not vomited or rolled over. Keep a bucket or bowl nearby in case they need to vomit. Remember, even if they did not have alcohol poisoning before falling asleep, they could develop it while sleeping as their body continues to process the alcohol. If their breathing becomes irregular or drops to fewer than eight breaths per minute, call an ambulance immediately.
Additionally, create a comfortable environment by adjusting the temperature to a mild 60-68°F (16-20°C). Close the curtains or use an eye mask to block out light, as drunk people are more sensitive to light. Reduce noise distractions by silencing cell phones and turning off potential sources of unexpected sounds.
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Make sure they're in a safe place where they can't injure themselves
If you are with a drunk person who is ready to sleep, it is important to ensure they are in a safe place where they cannot injure themselves. This includes making sure they are in the right sleeping position to prevent choking on their own vomit. Lay the person on their side with pillows in front and behind them to prevent them from rolling onto their back or stomach. This is called the "recovery position" and ensures they get restful sleep without the risk of choking.
If the drunk person is in a public place, such as a restaurant or bar, alert the staff that the person may need assistance and stay with them until you are confident they are being taken care of. If they are in a private place, like your home, make sure to monitor them every 10 minutes. Check to see if their breathing is steady, if they have vomited, or if they have rolled over. Their blood alcohol level can still rise while they sleep, so this is a crucial step.
If the person is awake, give them water and a light meal of bland food, unless they are nauseous or vomiting. Drinking water will help to counteract the dehydrating effects of alcohol. Leave a bucket or bowl next to their bed in case they need to vomit, and have a water bottle they can sip on throughout the night.
If the person is completely unresponsive, seek immediate medical assistance. Signs of alcohol poisoning include unconsciousness, blue lips and fingers, a rapid pulse, or vomiting while asleep.
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Give them water and a light meal if they're awake
If the drunk person is awake, giving them water and a light meal can help them feel better. Alcohol is a diuretic, which means that it causes the body to expel a lot of water. Drinking water can help to dilute the concentration of alcohol in the bloodstream, and it also hydrates the person, counteracting alcohol's dehydrating effects. It is recommended to drink a large glass of water before going to sleep and to keep another glass of water on the nightstand to sip on throughout the night.
Sports drinks like Gatorade or Powerade can also help to replace sodium and other electrolytes lost while drinking. However, it is important to avoid giving the person caffeine or other stimulants, as these can have a dehydrating effect and slow down how quickly the body processes alcohol. Instead, a light meal of bland, easy-to-digest foods is recommended if the person is not feeling nauseous or vomiting. Bread, crackers, pasta, or a sandwich can help to absorb the alcohol and settle the stomach. Salty snacks like peanuts or pretzels are also good options if the person doesn't have much of an appetite.
It is important to monitor the person's breathing and check if they have vomited or rolled over. This is because a person's blood alcohol level can continue to rise while they sleep, leading to alcohol poisoning. Additionally, alcohol affects the nerves responsible for the gag reflex, so they could vomit in their sleep and choke. It is recommended to place the person on their side, with pillows in front and behind them to prevent them from rolling over, and to monitor them every 10 minutes.
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Frequently asked questions
If the person is sleeping in a safe position and does not show any signs of alcohol poisoning, it is best to let them sleep. However, if you need to wake them up, try calling out their name. If they are completely unresponsive, seek immediate medical assistance.
Signs of alcohol poisoning include confusion, vomiting, slow breathing, loss of consciousness, seizures, and death. If the drunk person is showing any of these symptoms, keep them awake and supervised until they are sober.
Place the person on their side with pillows in front and behind them to prevent them from rolling over. This is called the "recovery position" and ensures that their airway remains clear and open.
Time is the only solution to sobering up. However, drinking a lot of water can help counteract the dehydrating effects of alcohol.
