Recognizing the Signs of Alcohol Poisoning
Medical Writer:
Reviewer:
Johnny Kim
Executive Psychotherapist
Medical Writer:
Reviewer:
Johnny Kim
Executive Psychotherapist
Don’t Just Sleep It Off. Know When Drinking Turns Dangerous.
In the United States, enjoying a drink is a common social activity, but sometimes a fun night can quickly take a dangerous turn. It’s easy to shrug off a hangover or laugh about overindulging, but when does a night of drinking become a true medical emergency? Unfortunately, it happens more often than most people realize.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that alcohol poisoning kills about six people every day. Understanding the risks and knowing the signs of alcohol poisoning can literally save lives, prevent brain damage, and reduce the risk of death from alcohol use disorder.
Being able to recognize when someone is in serious danger allows you to act immediately, whether it’s calling for medical help or providing first aid.
What Is Alcohol Poisoning?
Alcohol poisoning happens when the body has an excessive amount of alcohol. This can overload the brain and organs, leading to them shutting down.
Alcohol poisoning can happen fast, either during the act of heavy drinking or after stopping consumption. It affects people across the spectrum, from those taking their first sip to seasoned drinkers.
Alcohol poisoning poses a severe risk to life and necessitates prompt medical intervention. If you believe someone is experiencing alcohol poisoning, it’s crucial to call 911 immediately without hesitation.
Binge Drinking
According to to the NIAAA, which is the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, binge drinking for women is consuming four or more drinks in a span of two hours. Men are deemed to be binge drinking if they ingest five or more alcoholic beverages over a shorter timeframe.
Binge drinking is defined as consuming double or more the quantity of alcoholic beverages that qualifies as binge drinking.
Most documented instances of alcohol poisoning have been linked to situations where people engaged in binge drinking, high-intensity drinking, or consumed large amounts of alcohol within a brief timeframe.
How Long Does Alcohol Poisoning Last?
The duration of alcohol poisoning hinges on its severity and the promptness with which medical care is sought. Unlike a hangover, which gradually subsides over time, alcohol poisoning constitutes a medical crisis necessitating immediate intervention.
Even when emergency assistance is provided, alcohol poisoning may result in brain damage or prove fatal.
What Are the Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning?
Distinguishing between being extremely intoxicated and exhibiting symptoms of alcohol poisoning can be challenging, as they frequently occur together.
Do not presume safety simply because you have ceased drinking. Alcohol poisoning can occur both during the act of drinking and in the hours immediately following cessation.
When you’re drinking alcohol, it results in the expansion of your blood vessels, subsequently leading to headaches and muscle discomfort. When your liver breaks down alcohol, it slows down the creation of glucose, resulting in lower blood sugar levels.
A drop in blood sugar can trigger signs like feeling lightheaded, shaking, sweating, and intense hunger. Feeling nauseous and experiencing diarrhea are frequent occurrences, mainly when you drink on an empty stomach. This is because the body generates extra acid to metabolize the alcohol, resulting in unease across the digestive system.
Indicators and symptoms of alcohol poisoning may encompass:
- Forgetting the quantity of alcohol consumed
- Disorientation
- Persistent loss of concentration or focus
- Vertigo
- Tendency to collapse or slump
- Dozing off unexpectedly
- Nausea and throwing up
- Challenges in articulation
Regrettably, it’s not always possible to depend on those nearby to recognize the warning signals of alcohol poisoning or to seek assistance.
If you suspect you may be experiencing alcohol poisoning, seek help immediately. When in doubt, it’s always safer to get medical attention than to hope it passes.
Signs of Alcohol Poisoning
Even if a person claims to be fine or is unable to communicate verbally, there are physical signs of alcohol poisoning you can look for.
Do not presume that someone unconscious will simply sleep off their condition or recover in a few hours. It is crucial to monitor for signs of severe alcohol intoxication continuously.
Physical indications of alcohol poisoning include:
- The person is unconscious
- Uncontrollable, intense regurgitation
- No reaction to loud sounds or physical touch
- A reduced body temperature
- Skin that feels cold or damp
- A pallid or bluish tint to the skin, lips, or fingernails
- Breathing that is slow or erratic
- An inconsistent heartbeat
- Incontinence
- Convulsions
Should a person exhibit any of these symptoms, dial 911. While waiting for help, place the person in the recovery position to prevent choking, and never leave them alone.
Someone needs to remain with the person to monitor their breathing and vital signs. Be ready to share details such as the amount of alcohol consumed, any other substances in their system, and known health conditions.
What BAC Level Is Alcohol Poisoning?
BAC stands for blood alcohol concentration or blood alcohol content. Legally, a of BAC to 0.08% or higher is considered drunk. Medically, having a BAC of .25% or more is alcohol poisoning, even if only a few symptoms are present.
When alcohol is broken down, it enters the bloodstream, distributing the feeling of drunkenness all over the body.
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) denotes the concentration of alcohol in your bloodstream; an increase in this level escalates the risk to your safety.
BAC can keep increasing even after someone has finished drinking; therefore, it’s important to monitor people who have been drinking, even if they’ve ceased consumption.
Alcohol impacts each person uniquely; those who drink frequently or have an alcohol use disorder often build up a tolerance, enabling them to appear functional at higher alcohol levels than what would be manageable for many others.
Immediate Steps to Take
Recognizing and responding to alcohol poisoning quickly can prevent life-threatening complications.
- Stay calm and assess the situation. Look for the key signs of alcohol poisoning listed above.
- Call 911 immediately if any severe symptoms are present.
- Keep the person upright or in the recovery position to prevent choking.
- Do not give the person food or water, and do not try to make them vomit. Doing any of this can possibly worsen the situation.
- Stay with them until help arrives, monitoring breathing and responsiveness.
Quick action can make the difference between life and death, so never wait for symptoms to settle.
Supporting Long-Term Alcoholic Recovery
Medical Disclaimer:
