Alcohol

Slurred speech, ataxia, disinhibition, aggression, nystagmus

EmergentReview due

Compare (7)

At a glance

High-risk causes: 4
Core tests: 1
Immediate actions: 4
Related differentials: 6

Safety snapshot

Watch forHead injuryaspirationhypoglycaemiarespiratory depression

Presentation hinge

Toxidrome clues: pupils, respiratory rate, nystagmus, tremor, diaphoresis, sympathetic overdrive.

Separates the Substance Intoxication group. It is not specific to Alcohol.

Points for this presentation

Applies to the Substance Intoxication group — not specific to Alcohol

Do not assume alcohol explains everything, especially after trauma
Cannabis can produce anxiety, psychosis, and depersonalisation
Naloxone is both diagnostic and therapeutic
Polydrug use is the key practical issue

Clinical review

Rows marked “Whole group”: Applies to the Substance Intoxication group — not specific to Alcohol

Why it fits

Slurred speech, ataxia, disinhibition, aggression, nystagmus

Key features

Must-not-miss

Head injury, aspiration, hypoglycaemia, respiratory depression.

High-risk causes4 causes

Head injury
aspiration
hypoglycaemia
respiratory depression

Bedside question

Applies to the Substance Intoxication group.

Toxidrome clues: pupils, respiratory rate, nystagmus, tremor, diaphoresis, sympathetic overdrive.

Helpful clues

Immediate action

Applies to the Substance Intoxication group.

Do not assume alcohol explains everything, especially after trauma Cannabis can produce anxiety, psychosis, and depersonalisation Naloxone is both diagnostic and therapeutic Polydrug use is the key practical issue

Priority steps4 steps

1Do not assume alcohol explains everything, especially after trauma
2Cannabis can produce anxiety, psychosis, and depersonalisation
3Naloxone is both diagnostic and therapeutic
4Polydrug use is the key practical issue

Investigations

Applies to the Substance Intoxication group.

Blood glucose

Core tests

Mimics / overlap

Applies to the Substance Intoxication group.

None listed

Consider

Clinical reference — not validated decision support. Review before use.