Unfortunately teens and adults of all ages are at risk for alcohol poisoning, which occurs when a person exceeds the limit their body can handle to absorb and metabolize the amount of alcohol consumed. In recent years, teens have made headlines particularly in college and high school for binge drinking activities that often result in cases of alcohol poisoning. Adults that drink too much or too frequently are also at risk for alcohol poisoning. Those at the highest risk of encountering alcohol poisoning and alcohol poisoning symptoms include those who drink in more of a party setting on a regular basis. Drinking too much at parties, or even at home alone are also signs of alcoholism or beginning an alcohol addiction. Unfortunately, many cases of alcohol poisoning lead to severe damage of the liver and other internal organs and can possible cause irreversible brain damage and death in some situations. That is why it is important to know what alcohol poisoning symptoms are and what to do if you see a loved one or friend showing these signs of alcohol poisoning.
Alcohol Poisoning Symptoms:
A person that might be suffering from alcohol poisoning might show signs of extreme confusion or stupor. Vomiting, seizures, slow breathing (less than 8 breaths per minute) as well as irregular breathing (a gap of more than 10 seconds between breaths) are all common symptoms of alcohol poisoning. Those who have drank more alcohol than their body can handle also might show signs of blue-tinged skin or pale skin. They might have a low body temperature to the point of suffering from hypothermia. Many might even loose consciousness (passing out) and have trouble being roused. Keep in mind that while many of these symptoms might be present in someone who is experiencing alcohol poisoning, that not all of these symptoms have to be occurring in order for their to be concern about the person in question.
If you are with someone and you suspect they might have alcohol poisoning, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Not getting someone help during a case of alcohol poisoning can cause the person’s liver to stop processing entirely or they can also stop breathing or not wake up from passing out. These instances often lead to death, so it is important to get help right away. If the person is unconscious and you are unable to lift them to take them to get immediate help, call 911 and get an ambulance on the way immediately. Keep in mind that when a person consumes too much alcohol and looses consciousness, the alcohol is still being released into that person’s blood stream, which can continue the level of the poisoning. This is the biggest reason why it is unsafe to assume the passed out person will be able to sleep off the alcohol poisoning.
If you are questioning whether or not it is a good idea or even necessary to take the person to the hospital, call your local poison control number or call 800-222-1222 (in the U.S.) to get directed to a local poison control office that can give you advice as to whether or not medical attention is necessary or not. Keep in mind that all calls to these poison control centers are confidential. It is helpful when you call a number to know about the situation, like how much the person drank, when, etc. Be careful not to leave that unconscious person alone, no matter what. Don’t try and make the person vomit either. Because alcohol has an impact on the way the gag reflex works, the person can end up choking on his or her own vomit. They also might accidentally aspirate (inhale) vomit into their lungs, which might cause a fatal lung injury. That is also why it is important to get them help right away if they are vomiting continually on their own.
There are many risk factors that can cause a person to be more likely to drink more in a given situation including age, gender, the situation they are in, etc. Depending on your size, weight, tolerance to alcohol, food consumption prior to drinking, type of alcohol you are drinking, sex, overall health, etc., these are all factors that can play a role in the person’s likelihood to experience alcohol poisoning. Ultimately, the most important thing to remember about an alcohol poisoning situation, is that it is better to be safe than sorry.
Sources: mayoclinic.com, collegedrinkingprevention.gov
