Alcohol Poisoning: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment | Easy-to-Understand Guide

Alcohol poisoning, also known as alcohol overdose, is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when there is too much alcohol in your bloodstream. When this happens, parts of your brain start to shut down, affecting important functions like breathing and heart rate.

Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning

Alcohol poisoning symptoms can start mild but quickly become more severe. Initial signs of being drunk include:

• Confusion or slurred speech

• Poor coordination or stumbling

• Damp or clammy skin

As alcohol poisoning progresses, more serious symptoms may appear:

• Severe confusion

• Trouble staying awake

• Vomiting

• Seizures

• Slow breathing (fewer than eight breaths per minute)

• Long pauses between breaths (10 seconds or more)

• Very slow heartbeat

• Low body temperature

• Bluish, gray, or pale skin

• Slow responses (such as a gag reflex)

Causes and Risk Factors of Alcohol Poisoning

The main cause of alcohol poisoning is binge drinking, which is consuming a large amount of alcohol in a short period. For men, this means having five or more drinks within two hours, while for women, it's four or more drinks in the same timeframe.

Factors that can increase the risk of alcohol poisoning include:

• Your size and weight

• Your overall health

• Your alcohol tolerance

• How recently you ate food

• Whether you're taking drugs or medications

• The amount and speed of alcohol consumption

• The alcohol content of your drinks

Complications of Alcohol Poisoning

Severe cases of alcohol poisoning can lead to serious complications, such as:

• Choking on your own vomit

• Trouble breathing due to vomit in your lungs

• Severe dehydration

• Hypothermia

• Brain damage

• Seizures

• Coma

• Heart attack

• Death

Diagnosis and Treatment of Alcohol Poisoning

If you suspect someone has alcohol poisoning, call 911 immediately. While waiting for help to arrive, keep the person awake and seated upright if possible. If they're unconscious, place them on their side to prevent choking on vomit.

At the hospital, doctors will diagnose alcohol poisoning based on symptoms and blood tests to check alcohol levels. Treatment may include:

• Pumping the stomach to remove any remaining alcohol

• Providing fluids through an IV

• Giving extra oxygen to help with breathing

• Flushing the stomach of toxins

• Removing toxins from the blood

Preventing Alcohol Poisoning

To reduce the risk of alcohol poisoning, follow these tips:

• Drink in moderation (no more than two drinks a day for men and one for women)

• Alternate alcoholic drinks with water

• Don't drink on an empty stomach

• Avoid mixing alcohol with drugs or medications

• Don't participate in drinking games or use alcohol funnels or bongs

• Store alcohol safely, out of reach of children and teens

Remember, alcohol poisoning is a serious and potentially fatal condition. If you suspect someone has alcohol poisoning, don't hesitate to seek medical help immediately. By understanding the signs, symptoms, and risks associated with alcohol overdose, you can help keep yourself and others safe.

For more information on alcohol abuse and addiction, visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website.