Alcohol poisoning is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when a person consumes excessive amounts of alcohol in a short period of time. It can affect anyone who drinks too much, regardless of their age or size. While many people may think it’s just about being drunk, alcohol poisoning is actually a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. Knowing the signs of alcohol poisoning could help you save someone’s life.
Honey Lake Clinic offers a faith-based approach to addiction treatment for those struggling with alcohol abuse and addiction. We help patients find a path out of addiction and into a life of recovery, hope, and purpose. Call us at 888.428.0562 or connect with us online to learn more about our alcohol addiction treatment program.
Signs You May Have Alcohol Poisoning
It’s important to be aware of the signs of alcohol poisoning so you can act quickly in case of an emergency. If someone is exhibiting any of the following signs, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately:
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Confusion or Disorientation
Excessive alcohol consumption can impair a person’s ability to think clearly and make sound decisions. They might:
- Not know where they are or what time it is
- Not be able to answer simple questions or hold a conversation
- Be unable to walk or move properly
First, try talking to the person calmly and explaining what is going on. If they are non-responsive or still confused after trying to get them to calm down, call for medical help.
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Nausea and Vomiting
Vomiting is a common side effect of excessive alcohol consumption, but it can also be a sign of alcohol poisoning. Alcohol irritates the stomach lining, which can lead to nausea and vomiting. Under normal circumstances, vomiting can trigger gagging to clear airways. However, when a person is unconscious or semi-conscious, they may not have the reflex to clear their airway and could choke on their vomit. If someone is vomiting while intoxicated, it’s important to monitor them and seek medical help if they can’t hold down fluids or are showing other signs of alcohol poisoning.
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Slow Breathing
Alcohol can slow down the central nervous system, which includes breathing and heart rate. If someone is experiencing alcohol poisoning, their breathing can become dangerously slow and shallow, or even stop altogether. This can lead to a lack of oxygen in the body, potentially causing damage to vital organs like the brain or heart. People with alcohol poisoning will have difficulty breathing or experience irregularity in their breathing, with long periods of time (ten seconds or more) in between breaths. They are also at increased risk of hypothermia.
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Blue or Pale Skin
Slow breathing, as a result of alcohol poisoning, can cause the body to become hypoxic—a condition where not enough oxygen is reaching the tissues. This can cause the skin and lips to appear blue or pale. If you notice someone’s skin turning blue or becoming unusually pale, seek medical attention immediately.
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Passing Out or Unconsciousness
Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to a loss of consciousness, also known as passing out. If someone is unconscious, it’s important to monitor their breathing and seek medical attention immediately. While they may seem like they are just sleeping, it’s possible for someone to choke on their own vomit or stop breathing while passed out.
How Alcohol Poisoning Happens
Binge drinking is a major cause of alcohol poisoning and alcohol related deaths in the U.S. The definition of binge drinking is four or more drinks in a two-hour period for women, and five or more drinks in the same time period for men. When someone consumes this amount of alcohol within a short period of time, their body has difficulty processing it and the excess alcohol can lead to alcohol poisoning.
Alcohol poisoning can also occur as a result of drinking large amounts in a shorter time period than usual or when mixing different types of alcohol. It’s important to be mindful of how much you are consuming and pace yourself when drinking.
What to Do in Case of Alcohol Poisoning
If you or someone you know may have alcohol poisoning, seek medical attention immediately. Do not wait for the person to “sleep it off” or assume they will be okay on their own. In the meantime, try to keep them awake and sitting upright if possible. Monitor their breathing and stay with them until help arrives.
What to do:
- Stay with them. Check often to make sure they are still conscious and responsive.
- Make certain that they stay on their side, not their back.
- Do not ridicule, judge, threaten, or try to counsel them.
- Remain calm and be firm. Avoid communicating feelings of anxiety or anger.
- Keep them quiet and comfortable. If they are in the sun, move them to the shade. If cold, move them to a warm place and offer a blanket.
- Remember that only time will sober up a drunk person.
What not to do:
- Do not give the person coffee. Caffeine can cause further dehydration.
- Do not attempt to feed the person. They may choke on the food due to a lack of gag reflex or ability to swallow.
- Do not give the person any other medications. Mixing drugs and alcohol will likely make the alcohol poisoning worse.
- Do not make the person throw up to get alcohol out of the stomach. Their gag reflex will likely not work and they could choke.
- Do not walk the person around, in an attempt to “walk it off.” Reduced physical coordination could lead to falls or other accidental harm.
- Do not put the person in a cold shower. This could increase hypothermia.
- Do not let the person “sleep it off.” Alcohol is likely still digesting into their bloodstream and their symptoms could get much worse.
- Do not leave the person alone.
- Do not allow the person to drink more alcohol.
After the crisis settles, get more help—the kind of help which will prevent this from ever happening again.
Alcohol Addiction Treatment at Honey Lake Clinic
At Honey Lake Clinic, we understand the destructive nature of alcohol addiction and how it can harm both individuals and their loved ones. Our experienced team offers a holistic approach to recovery that addresses not just the physical aspect of addiction, but also the emotional and spiritual components. Through our evidence-based therapies combined with a faith-based approach, we help patients find true healing and lasting recovery.
Call Honey Lake Clinic Today
Don’t let alcohol control your life any longer. Contact us today at 888.428.0562 or connect with us online to learn more about our alcohol addiction treatment program and start your journey towards a brighter, sober future. Recovery is possible, and we are here to support you every step of the way.
