Too Much, Too Fast

At a college party in Goa, Kunal, 20, drinks heavily after his friends dare him. Later he is slumped on a sofa, hard to wake, breathing slowly, and skin cool and clammy. Some friends laugh and say, "Let him sleep it off.…

At a college party in Goa, Kunal, 20, drinks heavily after his friends dare him. Later he is slumped on a sofa, hard to wake, breathing slowly, and skin cool and clammy. Some friends laugh and say, "Let him sleep it off."

His friend Shreya is uneasy. She tries to wake him and he barely responds. She says firmly, "This is not sleep. We are calling for help." She calls the local emergency service while another friend turns Kunal onto his side so he will not choke if he vomits.

They stay with him, watch his breathing, and tell the responders how much and what he drank and how long ago. They do not give coffee or a cold shower, and do not leave him alone.

At hospital he is treated and recovers. Afterwards the friends talk. Kunal is embarrassed, but Shreya says, "We would rather you be annoyed than gone." He decides to speak to a counsellor about his drinking, and his friends agree to look out for each other. The group also agrees that next time nobody will push anyone to drink more, and that someone will always stay sober enough to look out for the others. Kunal's parents are told, and respond with worry rather than anger.

How to recognise it

• Cannot be woken, slow or irregular breathing.

• Cold, clammy or bluish skin, vomiting while drowsy.

• Confusion or seizures after drugs or alcohol.

• Friends dismissing it as sleeping it off.

• Possible mixing of substances.

What this story explains

Substance-related emergencies need quick action. Calling for help, staying with the person and giving clear information can save a life.

Probable root causes

• Heavy drinking or drug use.

• Peer pressure and dares.

• Mixing substances.

• Lack of knowledge about warning signs.

What to do

1. Try to wake the person and check breathing.

2. Call the local emergency service immediately.

3. Place them on their side and stay with them.

4. Tell responders what was taken and when.

5. Do not leave them alone.

6. Follow up with support once safe.

Whom to consult

• Emergency service or nearest hospital at once.

• Family doctor afterwards for health review.

• Counsellor or addiction specialist if use is risky or repeated.

Do and don’t

How to behave and communicate

• Speak clearly to responders.

• Call the person by name and speak calmly.

• Afterwards say: "We were worried because we care."

• Listen without lecturing.