People with diabetes may suffer from states of impaired consciousness, confusion, seizures, and loss of coordination caused by a low blood sugar level. These symptoms can be similar to those caused by intoxication. A person with insulin dependent diabetes may also experience a severe drop in blood sugar level if they miss or delay a meal. If this happens, the person may have slurred speech, confusion, impaired coordination and loss of consciousness. A police officer may mistakenly believe that this person is intoxicated and arrest them for DUI.
A person with diabetes can experience an insulin reaction due to strenuous exercise or stress. This will cause their blood sugar level to drop precipitously causing them to become disoriented, confused and possibly even comatose. When a person with diabetes consumes alcohol, their blood sugar level will drop even further, causing further disorientation and confusion. A police officer engaging with a person exhibiting these symptoms could suspect that the person is intoxicated due to alcohol or other substances.
A diabetic who drinks alcohol may experience severely low blood sugar levels. This can cause confusion, seizures, coma and even death if left untreated. A person with insulin dependent diabetes or reactive hypoglycemia should never mix their medications with alcohol.
Individuals with diabetes are not the only ones at risk of experiencing an insulin reaction. If a person has not eaten for several hours or if they are starving, this can also cause their blood sugar to drop precipitously, causing them to become disoriented and confused. This could cause someone to perform poorly onfield sobriety testsand be arrested for DUI.
