"Drunk" feeling without alcohol?

[kieslie]

Hi,

For the past week or so, I've been having daily bouts of feeling drunk without the alcohol.  It's not vertigo, because nothing is spinning..everything is clear.  It's more like dissociation (the psychological feeling of not being in your body).  I do struggle with dissociation anyway, but this feels different to me.  It can get pretty severe to where I almost have to completely stop what I'm doing because I'm so confused and just out of it.  It's happened several times while driving which scares me, because I will then have to think at least 2 or 3 times about each decision I make to make sure that it's actually the right one.  In general, even when the feeling isn't quite so severe, I feel like my decision making isn't as sharp and it's taking longer for me to comprehend things.

I did a little bit of looking online and saw that someone (not here, somewhere else) was diagnosed with some viral infection in the inner ear that tends to follow an upper respiratory infection.  A little over 2 months ago I had a cold that then turned into bronchitis.  I still cough quite a lot throughout the day, so I'm not sure if that's tied into it.

However, the thing that I'm sure is probably a huge factor is that I do, admittedly, have a problem with alcohol.  I've been drinking heavily almost every night for about a year and a half.  I ignored this dizzy like feeling at first because I wrote it off as the effects of alcohol withdrawal, but I've intentionally stopped drinking as of a couple days ago and am still having some severe bouts of this dizzy/drunk thing.  I know it hasn't been long since I stopped, but I am really having to limit how much I drive because the feeling tends to happen most severely at that time.  I'm afraid that I will get into an accident even just driving 5 minutes across town.

Any suggestions?  I don't want to overreact and go see a doctor over something that might just go away if I am patient and careful.

Thanks.

[R5dr3by]

Have you ever considered mold exposure? It's not a common response, but about 25% of the population is genetically susceptible to toxicity from water-damaged buildings. Exposures can cause a dissociated/drunken feeling, that can last for hours after exposure. Longer if you're living or working in a mold infested building. If you have any other symptoms also: headaches, digestive disturbances, nausea, hives, asthma, runny nose, chronic coughing, rapid or labored breathing or skin rashes, consider researching mold toxicity.

[specialmom]

I have read things about this. It's interesting and probably so many have exposure that they aren't even aware of. Sneaky mold!  My issue when feeling the way it is described in the post though was an inner ear issue of Eustachian tube dysfunction.

[chaotik_lord]

For anyone reading these responses, PLEASE go to a doctor, even if you have to go to an ER.  This could be from alcohol withdrawal, which can be fatal, even if you don’t think you were feeling too badly, or you have been okay in the past.  I agree there is a good chance of hypoglycemia as well, since you are no longer creating the sugar spikes from the alcohol.  However, it is best to detox from alcohol under medical supervision, because it is the most dangerous, life-threatening of all withdrawal processes.  It can also be managed more comfortably and quickly with medical assistance, because things like vitamin deficiency and hypoglycemia will also be treated.

[TaraMerkel]

I found a "cure"! I was having this issue as well for about 3 years.  The feeling would come and go and I couldn't pin point a trigger.  I had my eyes checked, my ears checked, an MRI.  Nothing.  My doctor sent me for a diabetes test and It came back that I have reactive hypoglycemia.  Meaning...when I had the sugar drink...instead of my blood sugar going up...it plummeted.  Creating this dizzy, drunken confusion.  I went to a nutritionist and she instructed me to eat a healthy mix of carbs and protein every 2-3 hours to keep my blood sugar in check and cut back on sugar.  It has worked!  AND as a bonus I haven't gotten any migraines since.  It's really interesting but I get "the feeling" before I feel hungry and I know I need to eat and it clears it right up.  I hope this helps!!

[arvak]

I have the same problem with caughs and all...
But I never have tuched alcohol and I like the feeling

[Saiteja7777]

I'm also having same problem from past 8 years

[BabylinP]

I feel that way sometimes when I can't reach 8-12 hours sleep if I wanna get tipsy all I just have to do is just sleep for 3 or 4 hours lol instant alcohol for me because I look drunk and I feel drunk and you wouldn't be able to talk to me normally I don't know why I am like this I never bother to know because I believe its not something life threatening..

[mdks007]

Can you please tell what was the diagnosis, i also have same feeling without alcohol

[margypops]

Check out if its allergies to something I get some similar symptoms I have a cough for about 4 months , some dizziness, head aches at times, scratchy throat , neighbors and friends who live around me, have same we have put it down to the stuff they are spraying ,everyday we are bombarbed with aerial spraying.Tests have shown that there are toxins in the stuff they use.Do some research and ask the Doctor for a Heavy metals test .

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

Your symptoms could be due to withdrawal of alcohol. But if your symptoms are relieved by eating something, it could indicate that you might be having episodes of hypoglycemia. Inadequate sleep can also cause tiredness, fatigue and dizziness. Other causes for these symptoms are inner ear infections; brain disorders heart problems, fever, stress, low blood pressure and anxiety. Please consult your GP who will examine you and may ask for blood tests for evaluating blood sugar and CBC.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.

[kieslie]

Oh, and I also forgot to mention that the severe bouts tend to last about an hour..sometimes longer, sometimes shorter.

[Brendan123456789]

Take thiamine. It doesn't hurt especially if you drink!!!

[Peaches123456Love]

Do you happen to take one of these: a form of Adderal, Mydayis, some kind of Amphetamine, or some kind of stimulant drug?