Why do you feel drunk when sober? (+3 reasons)
By
Ivan Kahwa
Author bio
Mr Ivan Kahwa is a chemist and phytopharmaceutical scientist with expertise in chemistry, pharmacology, phytochemistry, and Nanobiotechnology. He writes and reviews content on these topics.
Mr Ivan Kahwa’s Highlights:
Guest Researcher at the University of Leipzig, Senior Research Fellow/Scientist, and Lecturer at the Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Professional Experience:
Mr Ivan joined PHARMBIOTRAC as a research fellow/scientist during his master of science tenure. He contributed to the development of most of the phytopharmaceutical products in the project. Furthermore, he participated in carrying out the pharmacological activities of the developed products in laboratory animals such as mice and rats in order to develop proper doses hence leading to pre-clinical studies.
With the above relevant research experience, Ivan started to work with the University of Leipzig on collaborative projects with Mbarara University to develop the chemistry of Ugandan Medicinal plants and their pharmacological activities. This was coupled with several consultative positions by different German NGOs. Mr. Kahwa is also a supporting in the teaching and learning at the Departments of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
With the increase in antimicrobial resistance globally, Ivan retooled his thinking towards developing new naturally derived antibiotic regimens from Ugandan propolis with the assistance of nanotechnology to improve their delivery to microbial cells. Kahwa has also published over 28 articles in peer-reviewed journals and he is currently reviewing for many journals.
Education:
2023-2027: PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences (ongoing) with a focus on Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Nanobiology at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
2022: 2Msc. in Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine Science at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
2018: Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Publications:
▪ Iqbal, S., Jabeen, F., Kahwa, I., & Omara, T. 2023. Suberosin Alleviates Thiazolidinedione-Induced Cardiomyopathy in Diabetic Rats by Inhibiting Ferroptosis via Modulation of ACSL4-LPCAT3 and PI3K-AKT Signaling Pathways. Cardiovascular Toxicology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12012-023-09804-7
▪ Gupta, A. K., Yadav, R., Sharma, S., Sawale, J., & Kahwa, I. 2023. Anti-ageing Activity and Antioxidant Activity of Methanol Extracts of Leaves and Flowers of Salvia officinalis and Rosmarinus officinalis. Journal of Young Pharmacists, 15(3), 448–455. https://doi.org/10.5530/jyp.2023.15.60
▪ Tolo, C.U., Kahwa, I., Nuwagira, U., Weisheit, A. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Medicinal plants used in treatment of various diseases in the Rwenzori Region, Western Uganda. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 25, pp.1-16.
https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/4683
▪ Kahwa, I., Ajayi, C.O., Yadav, R., Chauhan, N.S., Shah, K., Abdelgadir, A.A., Shegena, E.A., Daniel, S., Omara, T., Asiimwe, J.B. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Pharmacognostic and phytochemical studies as an invaluable approach for correct identification of medicinal plants: The case of Artemisia vulgaris L. substituted for Artemisia annua L. in Western Uganda. TMR Integr Med, 7, p.e23004.
https://doi.org/10.53388/TMRIM202307004
▪ Nalimu, F., Oloro, J., Kahwa, I. and Ogwang, P.E., 2021. Review on the phytochemistry and toxicological profiles of Aloe vera and Aloe ferox. Future Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 7, pp.1-21.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s43094-021-00296-2
▪ Elamin, O.H.S., Ali, M.A., Elgezuli, I.A.A., Bashir, M.A. and Kahwa, I., 2021. Diagnosis of pre-and post-treatment of echinococcus granulosus with counter current immune electrophoresis and bacterial co-agglutination. Journal of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 11(02), pp.88-94.
https://doi.org/10.5799/jmid.951600
Published book Chapter
▪ Kahwa, I., Ayesiga, I., Nakalema, S., Alinaiswe, R., Mbabazi, R. and Iqbal, S., 2023. Natural products in the management of onchocerciasis. In Natural Products in Vector-Borne Disease Management (pp. 63-80). Academic Press. Book Chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91942-5.00012-4
Submitted manuscripts Under Review:
▪ Comparison of the Wound Healing Activity of the Leaf and Leaf Ash Extracts of Vernonia amygdalina in Rats. Journal name: Clinical Phytoscience
▪ Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal plants used in the management of cancer in Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Herbal Medicine
▪ Ethnobotanical survey and phytochemical screening of medicinal plants used in treatment of epilepsy by PROMETRA-Uganda Traditional Health Practitioners in Mpigi District, Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Submitted book chapters under review
1.Book title: Algae as a Natural Solution for Water-Food-Energy Nexus, Section 4: Microalgae and cyanobacteria for food applications, Chapter 4.6: Safety, toxicological and allergenic aspects of using algae for food. Authors: Christine Kyarimpa, Tom Omute, Caroline K. Nakiguli, Alice V. Khanakwa4, Christopher Angiro, Ivan Kahwa, Fortunate Ahumuza, Timothy Omara*. Publisher: Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 152 Beach Road, #21-01/04 Gateway East, Singapore 189721, Singapore.
2.Book title: Nutraceuticals Inspiring the Contemporary Therapy for Lifestyle Diseases. Chapter: Nutraceutical applications of Seaweeds and their Phytocompounds in Nutrition and Treatment of Diseases. Authors: Ivan Kahwa, Timothy Omara , Innocent Ayesiga , Gael Noel Neh Neba Ambe , Zehbanaz Javidbhai Panwala , Rachel Mbabazi , Shabnoor Iqbal , Christine Kyarimpa , Christine Betty Nagawa , Kamal Shah ,Nagendra Singh Chauhan* Publisher: CRC Press
You can view my works on the following professional sites:
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ivan-Kahwa
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=tOwrvqoAAAAJ&hl=en
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6440-3437
Linkedin: https://de.linkedin.com/in/ivan-kahwa-865450159
In this article, we will discuss the reasons for feeling drunk when you have not consumed any alcohol. We will also discuss the symptoms of such an effect and how you may fix it.
Why do you feel drunk when sober?
You get a drunken feeling while being sober mainly because of dehydration, lack of sleep or fatigue. It may also occur as a placebo effect while taking alcohol-free cocktails or as a withdrawal effect of alcohol.
In rare cases, auto-brewery syndrome may cause gut fermentation of carbohydrates into alcohol, even if the patient does not take alcohol. Other diseases like diabetes, and brain disorders may also cause such symptoms.
Some patients who take more than the prescribed doses of benzodiazepines, and antidepressants may have drunken feelings. Always consult your doctor in case of drug overdose or abuse.
What factors make you feel drunk when sober?
There are several factors that may cause the feeling of drunkenness while being sober. Extreme dehydration may cause dizziness, trouble speaking, feeling overheated, confusion, and dry mouth.
Sleep drunkenness is a phenomena in which you have difficulty waking up. Sleep drunkenness can cause confusion, weakness, and tiredness. Sometimes people drinking alcohol-free cocktails demonstrate similar intoxication symptoms as that of alcohol.
This is known as the placebo effect. In one of the research studies, people believing that they were taking alcohol showed signs of dullness, confusion, and irritability. They also had upset stomachs and irrational feelings (1).
After quitting alcohol, you may experience withdrawal symptoms like sobriety fatigue. You may feel lethargic, waking up tired, nauseous, and dehydrated. It may also cause sweating, tremors, headache, and vomiting.
Underlying disease
In some cases, the state of being drunk when sober can be due to an underlying disease. A rare case of drunkenness while being sober is the auto-brewery syndrome. It is the gut fermentation of carbohydrates into alcohol by different kinds of yeast. It may also occur due to yeast infection.
The yeasts which may cause auto-brewery syndrome include Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It may cause staggering gait, a state of confusion, slurred speech, nausea, and vomiting (2).
In addition, severe hypoglycemia may reduce the glucose supply to the brain and cause ketoacidosis. Hypoglycemia may cause dizziness, confusion, slurred speech, difficulty in concentrating, and inappropriate behaviour which otherwise manifests the signs of being intoxicated.
During an epileptic attack, the patient becomes detached (staring spells), has difficulty speaking with slurred speech, and falls. In addition, a patient with brain injury may have difficulty in coordination, thinking, speaking, communicating, or memory.
Medication
Drug overdose and abuse may cause drunken feelings while being sober. Some of the known drugs to cause such an effect include benzodiazepines and NMDA antagonists.
Benzodiazepine-receptor agonists such as diazepam, lorazepam, and triazolam have similar effects to alcohol. Drugs that are antagonists for N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors cause drunken effects when sober.
Examples include ketamine (anaesthesia), and dextromethorphan (cough suppressant). The symptoms include lightheadedness, prolonged sedation, and a state of confusion.
In one of the case reports, Venlafaxine caused drunken feelings in a 58-year-old patient suffering from depression. The patient could not walk straight and had social anxiety, and visual blurring (3). The concomitant administration of venlafaxine with dextromethorphan may also induce such symptoms.
What does research suggest?
In one of the research studies, 52 people with ‘dry drunk’ symptoms were observed and questioned about their feelings. Dry drunk syndrome is used to describe people who no longer drink alcohol but have the same behaviour and habits as they did before.
The authors concluded that dry drunk feelings are more intense in the first year of sobriety. They often get the feelings of restlessness, irritability, and impatience. However, they do get a feeling of relief and thankfulness for quitting alcohol (4).
What are the symptoms of feeling drunk when sober?
The person may feel one or more of the following symptoms:
- Brain fogs,
- Staggering gait,
- Loss of mental sharpness,
- Confusion,
- Heart jolts,
- Physical aggressiveness,
- Difficulty in speaking,
- Slow speech, and
- Nausea.
How to manage the symptoms of feeling drunk when sober?
In case of sleep deprivation, and dehydration the symptoms go away on their own. However, if the symptoms are due to a disease or drug then clinical intervention might be required.
- Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated.
- Improving sleep time and patterns can help reduce mood swings and irritation.
- Reducing the carbohydrate intake in auto-brewery syndrome can also control the symptoms.
- Flumazenil is a benzodiazepine antagonist that is given in case of benzodiazepine overdose and intoxication symptoms.
Although I do not take alcohol, sometimes I get a drunken feeling when I don’t get enough sleep. However, properly sleeping and taking a day off from work, socializing and resting can improve the mood and subside the drunken feeling.
Always consult your doctor when taking cough suppressants with antidepressants as they may cause drunken feelings. Never overdose on the medicines and follow the prescribed dosing regimen.
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References
1.-
Din AT, Alam F, Chaudhary FM. Auto-brewery syndrome: a clinical dilemma. Cureus. 2020 Oct 16;12(10). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7667719
2.-
Jackson A, Stephens DN, Duka T. Lorazepam substitutes for the alcohol stimulus in social drinkers. Psychopharmacology. 2003 Mar;166:181-7. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00213-002-1294-9
3.-
Koenig MA, McArthur J. Case 8: Absentminded and “Walking Like a Drunk”. Medscape General Medicine. 2005;7(1):64. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1681424/
4.-
Flaherty JA, McGuire HT, Gatski RL. THE PSYCHODYNAMICS OF THE” DRY DRUNK”. American Journal of Psychiatry. 1955 Dec;112(6):460-4. https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/abs/10.1176/ajp.112.6.460?journalCode=ajp
