Alcohol Poisoning: Symptoms, Timeline & Treatment

The more alcohol you consume, the greater the quantity that enters your bloodstream. Call 911 if someone you know is experiencing an alcohol overdose.

Toxic amounts of alcohol cause the areas of the brain responsible for life support functions to slow and eventually shut down. Someone experiencing alcohol poisoning or overdose can stop breathing or choke on their vomit while unconscious. As alcohol levels continue to rise in the body, a person sleeping may slip into a coma without anyone knowing. Because alcohol is a drug in the depressant category, an alcohol overdose can look very similar to an opioid overdose.

What is alcohol poisoning?

If you or you know someone that has been treated for alcohol poisoning, be sure to ask about follow-up care. Meeting with a health professional, particularly an experienced chemical dependency professional, can help you prevent future binge drinking. It is common for someone who drank excessive alcohol to vomit since alcohol is an irritant to the stomach. There is then the danger of choking on vomit, which could cause death by asphyxiation in a person who is not conscious because of intoxication. An alcohol overdose is typically treated in the emergency room. The emergency room physician will monitor your vital signs, including your heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature. An alcohol overdose can damage your pancreas, which digests food and monitors the levels of glucose in your blood.

76% of alcohol poisoning deaths are among adults ages 35 to 64. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation. For healthy adults, that means up to one drink a day for women of all ages and men older than age 65, and up to two drinks a day for men age 65 and younger.

How do you prevent alcohol poisoning?

Alcohol depresses nerves that control involuntary actions such as the gag reflex, which prevents choking. Since alcohol irritates the stomach, people who drink alcohol poisoning an excessive amount often vomit. Without a properly functioning gag reflex, there is a risk of choking on vomit, which could kill an unconscious person.

• Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.
• Larger people absorb alcohol more slowly than smaller people.
• You might consider sticking with one drink or abstaining from alcohol altogether.
• Death by alcohol poisoning can be prevented if students are aware of the signs of alcohol poisoning and know when to call for help.

If the person is unconscious, put them in the recovery position . Hair follicle tests can detect any alcohol consumption within the past 90 days. A blood test can detect alcohol metabolites for 12 hours after consumption. The following organizations provide accreditation, education, and training to ensure quality behavioral health and addiction treatment. Remember, everyone’s BAC rises at different rates, however, everyone sobers up at approximately the same rate. A cold shower, coffee, food, exercise or medicine will not sober a person up faster.

Understanding the Dangers of Alcohol Overdose

If they’re able to swallow, encourage the person to drink water. Typically the final step, continuing care groups help attendants maintain sobriety without the help of structured programs. Meetings usually meet for about an hour or two once per week. Help your loved one by contacting a treatment provider today. All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional. Reach out to a treatment provider for free today for immediate assistance. Remember that there is a chance that a person who has passed out may not ever regain consciousness and there is a serious risk that death could occur.

• Severe dehydration from vomiting, which can cause seizures, permanent brain damage, or death.
• Depending on a person’s needs, they may start with one program and transition to another after completing it.
• These warning signs and symptoms can put your life in danger if left untreated for a substantial amount of time.
• Don’t worry that they may become angry or embarrassed – remember, you cared enough to help.
• One of the most common causes of alcohol poisoning is binge drinking.

The person may not be able to stand up, may stagger when walking, and will likely be extremely confused about what’s going on. The stages of intoxication differ from person to person because they’re based on age, sex, weight, and other factors. Outpatient rehab helps people with AUD overcome dangerous behaviors.