Examination of a Case of Drunkenness
Not yet clinically reviewed
This protocol was migrated from the earlier Pharmapedia and Ward Guide apps for educational use. Follow your hospital's own policies and consult seniors when in doubt.
Introduction
Except the smell of alcohol in breath, there is no single symptom or sign which is diagnostic of drunkenness. Following conditions may superficially resemble alcoholism: Head injury, cerebrovascular accidents, epilepsy, disseminated sclerosis, hypoglycemia, Hyperglycemia, uremia, hepatic failure, poisoning from carbon monoxide and barbiturates.
Principal Signs of Alcoholism
- Smell of alcohol in breath.
- Congested eyes and dilated pupils sluggishly reacting to light
- Thick and slurred speech.
- Unsteady gait.
- Defective muscular coordination.
The opinion can be expressed in three forms
- The person has not consumed alcohol—if the above signs are absent.
- The person has consumed alcohol but is not under its influence—if smell of alcohol is present in breath and eyes are congested but other signs are absent.
- The person has consumed alcohol and is under its influence—if all the signs are present.
- Consumption of alcohol can be confirmed by chemical analysis of blood or urine. Examination of blood for presence of alcohol is essential under the Motor Vehicle Act. Medical officer must, therefore, collect and preserve a sample of blood for analysis.
In cases of alleged drunk and disorderly behavior in public place, examination of blood for the presence of alcohol is desirable, though not mandatory. A person accused of an offence brought under arrest can be examined using reasonable amount of force if he refuses consent (sec 53, Cr, PC). This will not amount to be testimonial compulsion.