Was Your DUI Arrest Caused by a Medical Condition?

 Posted on September 17, 2022 in Driving Under the Influence

Most people agree that it can be dangerous to drink and drive. It is also illegal. If you are caught driving your vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, you face stiff penalties if you are convicted.

But not every person who police arrest for DUI is actually guilty of the crime. In fact, in many cases, the person has a medical condition that mimics being intoxicated, and this can – and does – lead to false drunk driving arrests.

Diabetes

It is not uncommon for a person who has diabetes to have periods where they are dealing with confusion, loss of coordination, and other similar symptoms of intoxication. However, it is not intoxication that is causing these issues but low blood sugar levels.

If the diabetes has progressed to where the person needs insulin, even just the delay of a meal can cause a bad reaction, leaving the person with impaired coordination, slurred speech, confusion, and even loss of consciousness – all the same things police look for when they have stopped a driver for suspicion of drunk driving.

Hypoglycemia

People who suffer from hypoglycemia often suffer from symptoms similar to diabetes because of a similar drop in blood sugar. Some of the more common symptoms include confusion, dizziness, shaking, loss of coordination, and difficulty speaking.

Heart Condition

A person who suffers from heart problems can also have symptoms that make them appear to be under the influence of alcohol. A sudden drop in blood pressure can make a person look as if they are drunk. They may also have a hard time breathing, difficulty with coordination, and struggle with sweating excessively.

Sleep Apnea

The condition of sleep apnea leaves sufferers with a multitude of health issues. When a person has sleep apnea, their airways become obstructed by relaxed throat muscles while they are sleeping. This blockage causes them to stop breathing. Air cannot get in and carbon dioxide cannot be released. This build-up of carbon dioxide in their blood system often leaves sleep apnea sufferers feeling disorientated, dizzy, exhausted, and even intoxicated when they wake up – even with no alcohol in their system.

Contact a Fairfield County Defense Attorney Today

A drunk driving conviction can cause major issues in a person’s life. At the very least, their license will be suspended, making getting back and forth to work and other activities that require driving impossible. If your employment involves any kind of driving, you will not be able to work. In some cases, depending on any past DUI convictions, you could even be facing jail time. If you have been arrested for DUI and think your medical condition was a factor, call the Law Offices of Daniel P. Weiner at 203-348-5846 to schedule a free consultation with one of our seasoned Stamford, CT DUI lawyers.

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/about.htm

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypoglycemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20373685

https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/diabetes.html

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleep-apnea/symptoms-causes/syc-20377631