You probably know that there are some illnesses that could make you seem impaired. Certain medical conditions may make you confused, agitated or aggressive, dizzy or weak. They could make you unbalanced or cause you to slur your words.
In cases where you’re driving and have one of these conditions come on, a police officer could, potentially, confused your illness for being intoxicated by drugs or alcohol. One good way to avoid this is by wearing a medical alert bracelet or carrying a card with you in your wallet to let others know what kinds of medical conditions you have. If you don’t, and if you are arrested, you may need to prove that you weren’t intoxicated at a later date.
What are some illnesses that mimic intoxication?
There are several illnesses that mock being intoxicated by drugs or alcohol. Some common medical conditions that do this include:
- Epilepsy
- Diabetes
- Strokes
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Wilson’s disease
If you have any of these conditions or if you suspect that you might, it’s important to seek medical assistance. You should make sure that you get the medical care you need.
If you’re stopped by a police officer for driving dangerously and don’t feel well, it’s appropriate to tell them. Let them know that you’re not intoxicated if you can. Tell them that you have a medical condition, hand them your medical bracelet or indicate that you want to go to the hospital. While not all people can do those things in an emergency, try to do so if and when you can.
