Articles about drug overdoses often focus on fentanyl, prescription pills, and other opioids. But people can also overdose on alcohol. Recognizing the symptoms of alcohol poisoning and taking appropriate action can make a literal life-or-death difference in someone’s life
Dangers of Alcohol Poisoning
Alcohol use is extremely common in the United States. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA):
- 84.9% of adults in the U.S. – or about 218.7 million people ages 18 and over – have consumed alcohol at least once in their lives.
- 67.1% of U.S. adults – or about 172.9 million people – drank alcohol in the past year.
- 51.6% of U.S. adults – or about 132.9 million people – drank alcohol at least once in the previous 30 days.
Also, 23.5% of adults – or about 60.4 million people – told researchers they had engaged in binge drinking in the past month. The NIAAA defines binge drinking as consuming enough alcohol to bring a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08%.
Unfortunately, this familiarity with alcohol is not always accompanied by a full understanding of how dangerous the symptoms of alcohol poisoning can be.
The greatest risk of alcohol poisoning is death, which typically results from oxygen deprivation:
- Drinking too much at one time can slow a person’s respiration to the point that they are not taking in an adequate amount of oxygen.
- Excessive drinking also disrupt a person’s gag reflex – which puts them at risk for choking to death on their own vomit.
- In addition to risk of death, oxygen deprivation can also cause substantial, potentially irreversible brain damage.
The risk of alcohol poisoning and other negative outcomes can increase considerably if a person takes other substances while they are drinking.
Some people drink while taking opioids or benzodiazepines in order to intensify the effects of both drugs. Some take stimulants so they can stay awake and drink more, or they drink in an attempt to “take the edge off” the effects of the stimulants.
No matter why a person engages in these behaviors, which are collectively referred to as polysubstance abuse, the results can be catastrophic. For example, in 2022, the United States recorded 68,630 opioid overdose deaths. NIAAA data indicates that nearly 12,000 of these deaths (or about 17.4% of the total) involved people who had also been drinking alcohol.
Alcohol Poisoning Symptoms
Common alcohol poisoning symptoms include:
- Confusion and disorientation
- Drop in body temperature (hypothermia)
- Slowed or otherwise irregular breathing
- Slowed heartbeat
- Vomiting
- Incontinence (inability to control bladder or bowels)
- Poor coordination or loss of muscle control
- Seizure
- Loss of consciousness
- Cool, clammy skin
- Bluish coloration near the lips and fingertips
Someone who exhibits these types of symptoms after drinking alcohol needs immediate medical attention. As we noted in the previous section, failure to get appropriate help for alcohol poisoning could lead to brain damage or death.
What To Do if You Think Someone Has Alcohol Poisoning
If you are with someone who exhibits alcohol poisoning symptoms, here’s how you can help:
- Call 911 or otherwise summon an emergency first responder in your area.
- If the person is capable, help them into a seated position.
- If they can sit and maintain consciousness, give them a small amount of water to sip slowly.
- If the person is unconscious, roll them onto their side to prevent accidental choking if they vomit.
- If they do vomit, help them stay in a seated position or ensure that they remain on their side if they are lying down.
- Place a blanket or coat over them to keep them warm.
- Remain with them until the emergency responders arrive.
- When the responders arrive, tell them as much as you know about how much alcohol the person consumed and if they had used any other drugs.
In addition to taking these steps, it’s also important to avoid certain other actions, such as:
- Do NOT allow the individual to drink any more alcohol or take any other drugs.
- Do NOT try to get the alcohol out of their system by trying to make them vomit.
- Do NOT try to revive them by splashing water on their face or slapping them.
- Do NOT try to “sober them up” by giving them coffee or any other caffeinated beverages.
- Do NOT put them into a shower or bath.
Also: If the individual is underage or otherwise prohibited from drinking, or if they’re somewhere that they’re not supposed to be, do NOT delay calling 911 out of fear that they might get into trouble.
Alcohol poisoning symptoms don’t discriminate on the basis of age, legal status, or any other factor. Once someone shows signs of alcohol poisoning, your sole concern should be getting appropriate help and keeping them safe until that help arrives.
Contact Renewal Health Group To Treat Alcohol Addiction
Continuing to drink after surviving alcohol poisoning can be a sign of alcohol use disorder, which is the clinical term for alcoholism. If you’re not able to stop drinking on your own, Renewal Health Group is here to help.
When you choose Renewal Health, we will work closely with you to assess the full scope of your needs and understand how your life has been impacted by compulsive alcohol abuse. Then, we will develop a customized plan to help you stop drinking and build a healthier future in recovery.
Our continuum of care includes detox, residential treatment, and multiple outpatient programs. Every step of the way, you will be cared for by a team of skilled and compassionate professionals.
Don’t let alcohol prevent you from living the full and satisfying life you deserve. To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact page or call us today.
