Too Much, Too Fast – what this story teaches, the signs and what to do
From the book – Chapter 18: Mental-Health Emergency and Safety
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."
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.
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.
How to recognise it
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Cannot be woken, slow or irregular breathing.
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Cold, clammy or bluish skin, vomiting while drowsy.
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Confusion or seizures after drugs or alcohol.
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Friends dismissing it as sleeping it off.
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Possible mixing of substances.
What to do
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Try to wake the person and check breathing.
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Call the local emergency service immediately.
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Place them on their side and stay with them.
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Tell responders what was taken and when.
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Do not leave them alone.
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Follow up with support once safe.
Do and don’t
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Call for help early. | Do not leave them to sleep it off. |
| Stay with them. | Do not give coffee or cold showers. |
| Turn them on their side. | Do not induce vomiting. |
| Give accurate information. | Do not shame them afterwards. |
| Offer support afterwards. | Do not delay out of fear of trouble. |
Read the full chapter – Chapter 18: Mental-Health Emergency and Safety
Stories from real life
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- The Night the Neighbour Stopped Sleeping – Mrs Dsouza, 45, in Bengaluru, had been unwell for years and stopped her medicine last month. For four days she has not slept, believes the neighbours…
- Four Lines on a Card – After a hospital stay, Anjali, 32, in Delhi has made it through a very dark week. Her counsellor suggests building a safety plan together on one…
- The Sixteen-Year-Old’s Notebook – Sameer's mother, Anita, 44, in Pune, found her son Sameer's notebook with lines about being a burden and wanting to disappear. He is 16, quiet, and…
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More questions
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