How to Spot Life-Threatening Intoxication

You encounter someone unresponsive on a sidewalk. Are they just drunk, or are they dying? This episode breaks down the critical first aid steps for intoxication that go beyond "roll them on their side." We cover the three vital signs you must check, why the combination of alcohol with benzodiazepines or opioids creates a multiplicative (not additive) danger, and how to distinguish between a person who's sleeping it off and someone in respiratory arrest. Plus: why the recovery position is a holding pattern, not a treatment, and the hidden threats of hypoglycemia and head injuries that masquerade as intoxication. If you've ever wondered what to actually do in that moment, this episode gives you a practical framework.