What did I see?
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 2
What did I see?
When I was young, I spent a lot of time in Latin-America.
One of the memories that I am trying to give a place, is that of drunk men laying on the sidewalk. I saw this a few times in Brazii, in Ecuador I saw this very often. Would this have happened in a First World country, i would call an ambulance. But in Ecuador, people simply walked around them.
I recently learnt that drinkers with a coma are threated in hospital. But these people weren't hospitalised. So if they were not in coma, what did I see? Is it "natural behaviour" for very drunk people to sleep on the streets? Is there a state of unconsciousness other than coma? Was their situation life-threatening?
One of the memories that I am trying to give a place, is that of drunk men laying on the sidewalk. I saw this a few times in Brazii, in Ecuador I saw this very often. Would this have happened in a First World country, i would call an ambulance. But in Ecuador, people simply walked around them.
I recently learnt that drinkers with a coma are threated in hospital. But these people weren't hospitalised. So if they were not in coma, what did I see? Is it "natural behaviour" for very drunk people to sleep on the streets? Is there a state of unconsciousness other than coma? Was their situation life-threatening?
Heathen
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: La La Land, USA
Posts: 2,567
Probably just passed out.. I passed out a ton when I was drinking/using. Sometimes not in my own home. There's people 'sleeping' all over the place here (Denver), everyone just sort of walks by them and figures they are drunk or need some sleep. *shrugs*
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
Welcome...
This happens in many places in the United States...and of course...
the world is full of social problems/injustices and sad situations.
Please let us know what brings you to our recovery community
We have supportive members here who offer infomation and experiences..
.
This happens in many places in the United States...and of course...
the world is full of social problems/injustices and sad situations.
Please let us know what brings you to our recovery community
We have supportive members here who offer infomation and experiences..
.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 2
Thanks for the replies.
@CarolD: I live in the Netherlands, I had seen drunk people but I was not familiar with seeing drunk people 'sleeping' on the streets, untill I came in Latin America (althought there are alcoholists in the Netherlands of course). My personal instinct was to call the emergency number, but that was out of the question over there.
As an expat, you are supposed to use relativism when you are in another culture. I did that. But many years later, I notice that I still wonder if what I saw was serious. Did these people need urgent medical attention? So I decided to ask the experts.
@CarolD: I live in the Netherlands, I had seen drunk people but I was not familiar with seeing drunk people 'sleeping' on the streets, untill I came in Latin America (althought there are alcoholists in the Netherlands of course). My personal instinct was to call the emergency number, but that was out of the question over there.
As an expat, you are supposed to use relativism when you are in another culture. I did that. But many years later, I notice that I still wonder if what I saw was serious. Did these people need urgent medical attention? So I decided to ask the experts.
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