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
Monday, September 26, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
New Teen Drug Abuse Statistics - Drug Abuse on the Rise
According to new teen drug abuse statistics, drug abuse is once again on the rise for the teenage generation. These findings by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University indicated that parents need to play a bigger role in their teens’ life and the decisions they make in regards to underage drinking and doing drugs. The rates of drug use among teens is increasing in the numbers of teens that are drinking alcohol underage and doing drugs like marijuana. Teens are also more likely to be using drugs and substances that become addictive.
There are many reasons teens are using more drugs now despite a decade of decline of teen drug use, according to the new teen drug abuse statistics from the CASA. The results from the study indicated that many teens will opt to do drugs and drink underage because they are looking for a way to cope with stress. Teens, like the rest of the nation, could be feeling the effects of the United States financial crisis. Instead of coping and continuing to get an education, teens are turning to drug use and possible addiction as a result. In the past year, the number of teens using marijuana has raised from 32 to 39 percent. Teens who use the party drug Ecstasy have increased from six percent to 10 percent. These new teen drug abuse statistics show clear evidence that drug abuse is on the rise for teens, and without taking action now, these statistics could continue to rise.
While teachers and other educational opportunities are available for teens in school to learn about the dangers of drug use, it is really up to the parent to make sure they know what their teen is doing and know if they are at risk for falling into this rising statistical category of teens that use drugs. Talking to your teen about drug abuse and the effects of drinking and doing drugs is imperative. It is a better idea to do whatever you can to prevent your teen from engaging in this kind of behavior. Part of these prevention efforts need to be placed on knowing what your teen is doing and who they are doing it with. It is also important to not only know what your teen is doing, but to also have an open dialogue with them about drug use and underage drinking.
According to the new teen drug statistics, teens are also more likely to become addicted to an addictive substance prior to the age of 18. About one in four teens fit this description. Out of one of three teens surveyed in the study that admitted to trying drugs or alcohol (about 75 percent) are already addicted to some kind of substance like cocaine or alcohol. Because these numbers are continuing to increase now after years of decline, parents need to do something now before they continue to climb at such a dramatic increase. This is when parents need to keep in mind that their teen might also be already doing drugs or at least testing the waters when it comes to drinking and drugs. If this is the case, parents need to know the signs to watch for to see if their teen is at risk for these types of behaviors. If so, treatment for their teen needs to be sought immediately. Getting treatment right away is the best way to prevent addiction from taking over and continuing into their adult life. Because the teen brain is still developing, addiction to these substances is more likely to occur and further more affect their life as an adult when it comes to pursuing higher education and getting a job. This is why parents need to put a stop to the drub abuse on the rise trend that is now being seen in teens.
Sources: prnews.com, msnbc.msn.com
There are many reasons teens are using more drugs now despite a decade of decline of teen drug use, according to the new teen drug abuse statistics from the CASA. The results from the study indicated that many teens will opt to do drugs and drink underage because they are looking for a way to cope with stress. Teens, like the rest of the nation, could be feeling the effects of the United States financial crisis. Instead of coping and continuing to get an education, teens are turning to drug use and possible addiction as a result. In the past year, the number of teens using marijuana has raised from 32 to 39 percent. Teens who use the party drug Ecstasy have increased from six percent to 10 percent. These new teen drug abuse statistics show clear evidence that drug abuse is on the rise for teens, and without taking action now, these statistics could continue to rise.
While teachers and other educational opportunities are available for teens in school to learn about the dangers of drug use, it is really up to the parent to make sure they know what their teen is doing and know if they are at risk for falling into this rising statistical category of teens that use drugs. Talking to your teen about drug abuse and the effects of drinking and doing drugs is imperative. It is a better idea to do whatever you can to prevent your teen from engaging in this kind of behavior. Part of these prevention efforts need to be placed on knowing what your teen is doing and who they are doing it with. It is also important to not only know what your teen is doing, but to also have an open dialogue with them about drug use and underage drinking.
According to the new teen drug statistics, teens are also more likely to become addicted to an addictive substance prior to the age of 18. About one in four teens fit this description. Out of one of three teens surveyed in the study that admitted to trying drugs or alcohol (about 75 percent) are already addicted to some kind of substance like cocaine or alcohol. Because these numbers are continuing to increase now after years of decline, parents need to do something now before they continue to climb at such a dramatic increase. This is when parents need to keep in mind that their teen might also be already doing drugs or at least testing the waters when it comes to drinking and drugs. If this is the case, parents need to know the signs to watch for to see if their teen is at risk for these types of behaviors. If so, treatment for their teen needs to be sought immediately. Getting treatment right away is the best way to prevent addiction from taking over and continuing into their adult life. Because the teen brain is still developing, addiction to these substances is more likely to occur and further more affect their life as an adult when it comes to pursuing higher education and getting a job. This is why parents need to put a stop to the drub abuse on the rise trend that is now being seen in teens.
Sources: prnews.com, msnbc.msn.com
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