Which stage comes after euphoria in the ethanol impairment sequence?

• A. Excitement
• B. Subclinical
• C. Confusion
• D. Death

Answer: (A)

Ethanol intoxication follows a recognizable progression as brain function becomes increasingly suppressed. After the initial stage where patients often feel relaxed and uninhibited (euphoria), the next stage is excitement. In this phase, inhibitions are still lower, emotions can swing, speech becomes more slurred, and coordination deteriorates with greater impulsivity and impaired judgment. This reflects deeper CNS depression compared to euphoria, but it precedes the more severe cognitive disorganization seen in confusion. The other options don’t fit as the immediate next stage: subclinical isn’t a standard point in the classic sequence, confusion occurs after excitement, and death is a later, extreme outcome.