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What is Alcohol Poisoning?

Learn more about the symptoms of alcohol poisoning and how to get the appropriate and necessary treatment.

Table of Contents

An Overview of Alcohol Poison

Alcohol poisoning is a serious and sometimes fatal condition that can occur when someone drinks large amounts of alcohol in a short period. Alcohol poisoning can occur regardless of age, gender, or drinking habits.

Scope of Alcohol Misuse

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, excessive alcohol use led to approximately 140,000 deaths in the United States from 2015-2019. This makes excessive drinking the third leading preventable cause of death in the U.S.1 

Most people are unaware of the serious dangers associated with alcohol poisoning. This article will discuss what alcohol poisoning is, its symptoms, and how to get help if you or someone you know experiences it.

What is Alcohol Poisoning?

Alcohol poisoning is a severe and sometimes deadly consequence of drinking large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time. When someone drinks too much alcohol, their body cannot process it all, and their blood alcohol level rises quickly.

What Are the Effects of Alcohol?

The effects of alcohol depend on many factors, including how much you drink, how quickly you drink it, your age, your weight, and whether you have eaten. Generally speaking, the more alcohol you consume, the more intense the effects.
Alcohol is a depressant that affects the central nervous system. In small doses, it can cause feelings of relaxation and euphoria. However, large doses can lead to slurred speech, impaired coordination, vomiting, and even unconsciousness.2

What Are the Dangers of Alcohol Poisoning?

When someone drinks too much alcohol, the level of alcohol in their blood can rise to dangerous levels. This can cause the body to shut down vital systems, leading to organ damage and even death.

Alcohol poisoning is particularly dangerous because it can happen quickly and without warning. It is often hard for people to know when they or someone else has had too much to drink.

How Does Alcohol Poisoning Happen?

There is no single answer to this question, as alcohol poisoning can happen in many ways. However, some common scenarios that can lead to alcohol poisoning include:
  • Drinking too much alcohol in a short period
  • Not eating before or while drinking
  • Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach
  • Mixing alcohol with other drugs or medications
  • Drinking alcohol that is high in proof (such as hard liquor)

What Are the Symptoms and Causes?

There are numerous different causes of alcohol poisoning, as well as a variety of symptoms to watch out for. These will be detailed below.

What Causes Alcohol Poisoning?

Alcohol poisoning happens when the level of alcohol in the blood is:

  • Between 0.0 and 0.05%: You may feel relaxed and happy. Your muscles are relaxed and may have a warm, flushed feeling.
  • Between 0.06 and 0.15%: You may feel more relaxed and happy. You may have a loss of muscle control. Your speech may be slurred. You may have trouble seeing clearly.
  • Between 0.16 and 0.30%: You may feel drowsy or confused. You may have vomiting, incontinence (loss of bladder control), and slowed or irregular breathing.
  • Between 0.31 and 0.45%: You may feel confused, drowsy, or unconscious. Your heart rate may be slow or irregular. You are at risk of dying.

What Are the Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning?

The symptoms of alcohol poisoning can vary depending on the person, but some common symptoms include:3
  • Vomiting
  • Unconsciousness or semi-consciousness
  • Slow or irregular breathing
  • Pale or blue skin
  • Hypothermia (low body temperature)
  • Seizures

If you or someone you know experiences any of these symptoms, it is essential to seek medical help immediately.

What Kind of Complications Do We Suffer During Alcohol Poisoning?

Alcohol poisoning can lead to many severe and even life-threatening complications, such as:
  • Asphyxiation
  • Seizures
  • Hypothermia
  • Dehydration
  • Cardiac arrest

These are just some of the potential complications associated with alcohol poisoning. If you or someone you know experiences any of these symptoms or complications, it is essential to seek medical help immediately.

What Kind of Diagnosis and Tests Are Available?

There are many ways to determine blood alcohol level (BAC) and to test for and diagnose alcohol poisoning. These methods will be discussed further below.

How Do You Test to See if Someone Has Alcohol in Their System?

There are a few different ways to test for alcohol in someone’s system. The most common method is a breathalyzer test, which measures the amount of alcohol in the person’s breath.

Blood, urine, and hair tests can also measure the level of alcohol in someone’s system. However, these tests are not as commonly used as breathalyzers.

How Much Is Too Much?

Typically, following the rules below can help determine what “too much” to drink might look like:
  • For men, drinking more than four drinks in two hours can be dangerous.
  • For women, drinking more than three drinks in two hours can be dangerous.
  • For people over 65, drinking more than two drinks in two hours can be dangerous.
  • For people under 21, any amount of alcohol is considered too much.
These guidelines are just general rules of thumb. Everyone metabolizes alcohol differently, so it is essential to know your limits.

When to Seek Medical Help?

If you or someone you know experiences any of the following symptoms, it is essential to seek medical help immediately:
  • Vomiting
  • Unconsciousness or semi-consciousness
  • Slow or irregular breathing
  • Pale or blue skin
  • Hypothermia (low body temperature)
  • Seizures

These are just some of the potential complications associated with alcohol poisoning. If you or someone you know experiences any of these symptoms, it is essential to seek medical help immediately.

What Is the Best Possible Alcohol Poison Treatment?

While alcohol poisoning can be potentially fatal, it is treatable and curable when caught soon enough.

Is Alcohol Poison Curable?

Yes, alcohol poisoning is curable. If you or someone you know may be experiencing the effects of alcohol poisoning, please make sure to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

How Is Alcohol Poisoning Treated in Hospitals?

If you or someone you know has alcohol poisoning, it is essential to seek medical help immediately. There are a few different ways to treat alcohol poisoning, but the most common methods are:
  • Intake of fluids like water or Gatorade to prevent dehydration
  • A vitamin B-12 injection to treat low blood sugar levels
  • Intravenous (IV) fluids restore electrolytes and hydration
  • Oxygen therapy to help to breathe
  • Blood filtration removes toxins from the blood
  • Stomach pumping (gastric lavage) to remove alcohol from the stomach

Emergency Action for Alcohol Poisoning

If you think someone has alcohol poisoning, it is essential to take action immediately.
Some things you can do are:4

  • Call for medical help
  • Stay with the person and do not let them “sleep it off”
  • Place them in the recovery position
  • Keep them warm
  • Give them sips of clear fluid like water or Gatorade

Get Follow-up Care

After you or someone you know has been treated for alcohol poisoning, it is essential to get follow-up care. This can include:
  • A substance abuse evaluation
  • Alcoholism treatment
  • Counseling
  • Support groups

Is There a Chance to Prevent Alcohol Poison?

Alcohol poisoning is easily avoidable and preventable with the appropriate knowledge and awareness needed to consume nonlethal levels of alcohol. Knowing the guidelines for safe alcohol consumption can prevent a visit to the emergency room or even death.

How Do You Prevent Alcohol Poisoning?

You can prevent alcohol poisoning by doing the following:
  • Do not drink alcohol if you are under the legal drinking age
  • Do not drink more than the recommended amount of alcohol
  • Do not drink on an empty stomach
  • Drink slowly and space out your drinks
  • Avoid mixing alcohol with other drugs, including over-the-counter medications
  • Drink alcohol in moderation

What Is the Prognosis We Should Look For?

When facing a diagnosis of alcohol poisoning, the prognosis differs depending on the amount of alcohol in the blood and the severity of the poisoning.

What Can Happen From Alcohol Poisoning?

The prognosis for alcohol poisoning is generally good if the person receives treatment immediately. However, some potential complications can occur, including:

  • Brain damage
  • Coma
  • Seizures
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Aspiration pneumonia
  • Death

How to Deal With Alcohol Poison?

Alcohol poisoning is a severe medical condition that can be fatal if not treated immediately. If you or someone you know has alcohol poisoning, it is essential to seek medical help immediately.

What Is the Recommended Alcohol Limit?

The recommended alcohol limit is:

  • For men: no more than four drinks in a day or fourteen per week
  • For women: no more than three drinks in a day or seven per week

What Is Life With Alcohol Poison?

In some instances, the resulting medical conditions that stem from alcohol poisoning may not be curable. However, it is still possible to live a normal and fulfilling life, even with these newly developed conditions.

Is It Possible to Cope With Alcohol Poison if It Is Not Curable?

Yes, it is possible to cope with alcohol poisoning if it is not curable.

Don’t Be Afraid to Get Help From Others

Always seek help from a medical professional if you suspect that you or someone you know has alcohol poisoning. There are a wide variety of resources available to help you or your loved one cope with alcohol poisoning, including:

  • Substance abuse treatment centers
  • 12-Step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous
  • Counselors and other mental health professionals
  • Support groups

What Are the Related Risks?

There are a number of serious risks that are related to alcohol poisoning, including:

  • Brain damage
  • Coma
  • Seizures
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Aspiration pneumonia
  • Death

Conclusion

Alcohol poisoning is a severe medical condition that can be potentially fatal if not treated immediately and appropriately. If you suspect that you or someone you know has alcohol poisoning, it is crucial to seek help from a medical professional immediately. Many resources are available to help you cope with alcohol poisoning, including substance abuse treatment centers, Alcoholics Anonymous, counselors, and support groups.

Achieve Wellness With Soledad House

You can prevent alcohol poisoning by doing the following:
At Soledad House, we have a team of highly-trained mental health professionals on staff to help you on your journey to recovery after your experience with alcohol poisoning. For more information on our services and programs, please call Soledad House today or visit our website.

RESOURCES

SOLEDAD HOUSE HEADQUARTERS

810 Emerald Street
San Diego, California 92109

Phone: 866.314.3222

Fax: 619.923.3770

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