How can you tell the difference between a drunk and a diabetic?

Answer 1

The easiest way to tell the difference between a drunk and a diabetic having a hypoglycemic reaction ("sugar low") is the smell test: Smell their breath. Drunks will have booze on their breath, diabetics on a low (unless they have been drinking,) will not.

The second best way is to ask them if they have a blood sugar tester on them. If they say they do, or say they forgot it, they're a diabetic. If they look at you like you're crazy, they're drunk. If they have one, you could ask them to perform a test. I'm not sure if that works for law enforcement, but I would imagine that a diabetic will be happy to perform one rather than get a DUI.

Another way to get evidence of Diabetes is to ask if they have a Medic Alert bracelet/necklace. If they do, and almost all diabetics do have one, they are probably a diabetic.

If these are not an option, there are some secondary signs of a low. A lot of diabetics slow down their speech and act very confused. This is similar to a drunk, but a diabetic will not slur their words, they just speak very slowly. Many diabetics will curl their hands or feet inwards. when they are not in use. Most sweat profusely, even in cold environments, when low.

Finally, if you give them some sugar and they are acting like rational individuals in ten minutes or so, they are diabetics. Alcohol will not leave the system in ten minutes, but a blood sugar low will go away very quickly with a little sugar. Quicker forms (soda, fruit juice, jellybeans,) work best. Most diabetics, even the ones who are extremely hostile when low, will accept sugar and treat the low. I tend to get pretty violent when I go low, but I seem to recognize the problem as soon as somebody offers me sugar. Make sure you open the bottle/container first, or they may drop it. I keep a tiny bottle of cranberry juice with me that contains about 30 carbs. When I go low, I drink that, and I go from an violent idiot with the thought power of a three year-old to a mostly rational person in ten minutes, and I am completely normal in fifteen.