Alcohol poisoning occurs when a person consumes an excessive amount of alcohol. Alcohol can depress or stop nerve signals that control breathing and the gag reflex that prevents choking. Alcohol poisoning is a serious condition that can lead to irreversible brain damage or death if not treated immediately.
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Signs of alcohol poisoning include:
- Vomiting. An unconscious person could choke and suffocate from vomiting.
- Confusion.
- Passing out, coma, or inability to awaken the person.
- Seizures.
- Slow breathing-fewer than 8 breaths per minute.
- Irregular breathing-10 seconds or more between breaths.
- Low body temperature (hypothermia), bluish skin, and paleness.
The level of alcohol in the blood continues to rise even after a person stops drinking
. It can take around 30 to 90 minutes for the alcohol to enter the bloodstream, circulate throughout the body, and cause full intoxication. The amount of time depends on how quickly and how much the person drank along with what else is in the stomach.
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What to do if you have alcohol poisoning
Drinking coffee, walking or sleeping it off, or taking a cold shower will not help reverse the symptoms of poisoning.
Immediate medical treatment is always needed if you suspect alcohol poisoning. Remember a person doesn't have to display all of the symptoms. If a person is unconscious, they are at risk of dying.
Call 911 or other emergency services if you or someone else:
- Has the symptoms of alcohol poisoning. These can include vomiting, coughing up blood, gasping for breath, passing out, and seizures.
- Has a history of heavy drinking and is having severe withdrawal symptoms but is not willing to get treatment.
- Has delirium tremens (DTs), which can lead to death. Symptoms can include seizure, shaking, a fast heartbeat, and seeing or hearing things that aren't there (hallucinations).
- Is thinking or talking about suicide or harming others.
Preventing alcohol poisoning
The Mayo Clinic suggests the following tips to prevent alcohol poisoning:
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- Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. 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. When you do drink, enjoy your drink slowly.
- Don't drink on an empty stomach. Having some food in your stomach may slow alcohol absorption somewhat, although it won't prevent alcohol poisoning if, for example, you're binge drinking.
- Communicate with your teens. Talk to your teenagers about the dangers of alcohol, including binge drinking. Evidence suggests that children who are warned about alcohol by their parents and who report close relationships with their parents are less likely to start drinking.
- Store products safely. If you have small children, store alcohol-containing products, including cosmetics, mouthwashes and medications, out of their reach. Use child-proof bathroom and kitchen cabinets to prevent access to household cleaners. Keep toxic items in your garage or storage area safely out of reach. Consider keeping alcoholic beverages under lock and key.
- Get follow-up care. If you or your teen 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.
Alcohol poisoning is a serious, life-threatening condition that needs to be treated immediately. If you suspect that you or someone else is suffering from alcohol poisoning, don't wait - contact a healthcare professional or 911 immediately.
