Alcohol and Boozing

 

How does drinking alcohol affect Diabetics?

People with Diabetes are very much able to have a drink with their friends at the pub and depending on which drink, they may not need to worry about how their blood sugar levels will be. But, when consuming large amounts of it, things get a little more complicated.

Alcohol, has lots of effects on the human body and one of those less common effects, is the fact that alcohol can substantially lower blood sugar levels in the body. This, is very common in Diabetics and it can vary on each person how badly their blood levels drop and when they will drop. Alcohol can definitely cause a Diabetic to have a Hypo while they are on their night out and it is important to make sure that it gets sorted urgently when this happens.

What should a Non-Diabetic do when their friend is having a hypo when drunk?

Here are some things to know and think about first of all.

Firstly, I think its important that you can recognize the signs of a Hypo. So, do they suddenly start shaking? Is the person starting to sweat? (when in a nightclub this is harder to recognize due to poor lighting and assuming it is from dancing) Has their mood changed for no viable reason? Do they have the urge to sleep? 

That is the first step. Now, the second step for you is to make sure that BEFORE you and the Diabetic are out boozing, they have done all of their planning with their blood levels, insulin and carbs. I personally think its also important to nag about our bloods on a night out, so make sure you get the Diabetic to CHECK their blood, before, during and after your night out. Always check to see they are not going out on an empty stomach because this increases the risk of a Hypo while out.

For actually treating the Hypo, if the Diabetic is able, get them to a cool place to sit down. This is easier if you're in a large group because it means you essentially have roles. somebody goes and gets a sugary drink while others check the Diabetics sugar levels and wellness of them. The sugary drink most common in pubs and clubs is of course FULL FAT COKE or FULL FAT PEPSI. Order this drink to treat the Hypo. If you know there are some glucose tablets that the Diabetic packed then give them those. 

If you are the only one able to treat them then please do not be afraid to ask a member of staff for help, you are trying to save a life.

Once recovered, do not let the Diabetic consume alcohol for the rest of the night as the chances are another Hypo will happen and potentially a worse one.

I appreciate that to you people reading this who are not Diabetic may be thinking it will hinder your own night out if you are worrying about your friend/son/daughter/partner. However, you do not need to because as long as they have planned before going out then it should be way less likely to happen during the night out. 

My blood is high?

Drinking alcohol that is in a sugary drink, will obviously raise blood sugar levels. Nurses will tell you that if you are on a night out and your blood is high due to what you've been drinking then you should simply leave it. Because alcohol lowers our levels on its own, you do not need to do a corrections dosage of insulin to bring it down. Should you take insulin then you only endanger yourself to get a Hypo. Please do not panic if you see your blood is reaching ketones levels because your body, your liver in particular will do the hard parts for you. 

What do you do Will in your experience?

In my experiences, I will sometimes take some insulin while I am on a night out. I never take a large amount, it just helps me keep my blood stable that little longer for the night. I'm fortunate I have people who will constantly look out for me and remind me to check my blood and that really does help.

I also will take my long-acting insulin before I go out drinking on a night. So, I'll do it just before I leave the house. This is not something I've always done but ever since my nurse recommended it to me, my blood sugar levels when hungover have been a lot better.

Another thing I do, is I always have Lucozade in my room by my bed and sometimes sugary foods, for when I'm back home in case my blood goes low through the night. 

In terms of what do I drink, I will order diet versions of a mixer. And only if my blood levels are going to drop, then I will order a sugary drink with no alcohol because I just want the sugar in my system and personally that feels safer for me to do that.

The biggest thing I do especially if I am going out with new people for the first time, is that I will let them know I'm Diabetic and what they need to look out for.  If the people I am out with did not know what to do should I have problems with treating myself then I could potentially make a situation of having a Hypo, go to a trip to the hospital and be in a very bad way. Never be embarrassed to say that you are Diabetic. Never be embarrassed to have a Hypo and never shy away from injecting or checking your blood levels in public. 

Questions

If you have any questions for me please comment down below and I will be happy to answer them for you!