How can I help my drunk friend?

Dear Reader, 

It's great that you're asking these questions and are so willing to help your friends when they’re drunk. What you do for them might be different depending on where you are when it happens, what other factors are involved (such as other substances used), and your own level of intoxication (quick note – there is no way to speed up getting sober, only time can do that). That said, there are some general considerations for keeping your friends safe, whether through your own efforts or those of a trusted sober outsider. A good tip to keep in mind when helping a friend who’s intoxicated is that if at any time you become concerned about their breathing or they lose consciousness, call for medical help. Read on for more information about signs of intoxication to be aware of and various considerations on how to help a friend. 

What are signs someone is intoxicated? 

Knowing what signs to be aware of can help you decide whether or not you need to immediately call for help. Some of the signs of intoxication can include:  

• Slurring speech.
• Stumbling or having difficulty maintaining balance and walking independently.
• Having trouble making eye contact.
• Feeling excessively cold or warm (to themselves or others’ touch).
• Being short of breath.
• Exhibiting erratic, withdrawn, or aggressive behavior.
• Feeling queasy, vomiting, or dry heaving.
• Falling into a tired stupor.
• Being unconscious.  

If your friend is experiencing trouble breathing, going in and out of consciousness, or is severely ill, the best thing you can do is call emergency services immediately.  

What can you do to help a drunk friend? 

The first step in helping someone who’s had a lot to drink is to encourage them to avoid consuming more alcohol. It may also be helpful to guide the person to a quiet place where they can relax comfortably. Walking around while intoxicated may be dangerous and potentially lead to injury. Additionally, since high blood alcohol levels (BAC) can lower body temperature, you might consider offering them a light blanket, even if the person already feels warm.  

Depending on how your friend is feeling or behaving, you may choose to take a different approach. Some actions you may encourage your friend to take include: 

• Drinking water. Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it causes the body to expel more liquid than it’s consuming. Although staying hydrated won't make someone sober—only time can do that—it may help them avoid dehydration and other related concerns. It’s important to note that water is a better choice than, say, coffee, which is also a diuretic and therefore more likely to cause dehydration.
• Vomiting safely. Should your friend reach the point of throwing up, it’s best to accompany them to the bathroom. Bathrooms can be an unsafe environment for someone who’s unsteady, has poor coordination, or is ill as they can fall and injure themselves.
• Making informed food choices. Having something to eat may make your drunk friend happy, but it’s important to choose to eat things that are easy to swallow as intoxication can increase their chances of choking.
• Lying down carefully. If your friend chooses to lie down, try encouraging them to lay on their side with a support on both their back and chest (like a backpack) to prevent them from rolling over onto either. Rolling over when drunk, especially if they experience unconsciousness, can increase their risk of choking on their own vomit.   
• Sleeping under observation. It’s not uncommon for someone to feel tired after drinking as alcohol is a depressant and therefore slows down the body's functions. Note that sleeping drunk people may breathe slowly or shallowly, feel cold to the touch, or have blue-ish lips. This is because, in large amounts, alcohol dulls the nerves that regulate breathing, heartbeat, and gag reflexes. So, paying attention to your friends while they sleep is recommended and if you become concerned about their breathing, call for medical help.  

How can you help your friend if you’re also drunk? 

Ultimately, if you're already drunk, you may not be well-positioned to help coordinate your friend and you may instead need to call in some sober reinforcements. If you’re in a group with at least one sober friend, they'll likely be the best suited to assess the situation and call for any additional help.  

However, if you feel able to help, monitor your friend in case they’re having trouble breathing, are severely ill, or become unconscious. In any of these situations, it's important to call emergency services immediately as your friend may require medical attention. If you're unsure of what to do or how drunk they really are, erring on the side of caution and calling anyway may be a life-saving decision. It might be helpful to know that you likely won’t get in trouble for being drunk if you call for help —most states have Good Samaritan Laws that protect both the person calling for help and the person they’re calling about from getting into legal trouble if they’re underage or if other substances are involved.   

Taking care of drunk friends can be tricky to navigate but asking for information on what to look for and how to help in these situations is a great place to start.