The Catholic University of America

My roommate/friend is drunk. Should I let them sleep it off?

The answer is NO! Even though the person may appear to be "sleeping it off," their blood alcohol level can still rise and create a life-threatening situation. Place the person on their side, maintain that position and stay with the person. If you are having difficulty determining if an individual is acutely intoxicated, call for help immediately - you cannot afford to guess. If you are on-campus, call Public Safety at extension 5111 and if you are off-campus, dial 911. Signs and symptoms of acute alcohol intoxication are; Confusion, unsteady gait, Unconsciousness or semi-consciousness, Slow respiration of eight or less breaths per minute, or lapses in respiration of more than 10 seconds. (Place your hands on the person's chest); Cold, clammy, pale, or bluish skin. Remember that this can be a life-threatening emergency and when in doubt, call for help!! Reduce your risk for alcohol-related problems by having no more than one drink per hour, no more than two drinks per day for men, one for women, and no more than four days per week.

Additional information can be found at the following web site: