A serious health condition (sometimes deadly) that happens due to heavy alcohol drinking in a short time is called alcohol poisoning. Those who drink large alcohol amounts in a short period may experience problems with breathing, heart rate, body temperature, and reflexes. Alcohol poisoning is a dangerous condition that sometimes may lead to coma and even death.
This condition may happen in adults or children who accidentally or intentionally drink products that contain alcohol. If you suspect that someone is experiencing this life-threatening condition, get medical help immediately.
Symptoms
People who experience this condition may notice the following symptoms. Examples include:
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Confusion
- Breathing problems (such as slow breathing or irregular breathing)
- Skin color changes (such as blue, gray, or pale skin)
- Reduced body temperature (also called hypothermia)
- Difficulty staying awake or conscious
It is not necessary to have all the symptoms listed above before seeking medical help. If a person with this condition passes out and cannot wake up, it may lead to death.
When you think a person has alcohol poisoning, immediately seek medical help, even if you do not notice the usual signs. Check below for some steps you should take:
- Call 911 or the local emergency number immediately. Moreover, you should not let the person sleep.
- Never leave an unconscious person alone because they can experience vomiting that blocks airways.
- Try to help someone who is vomiting – You can keep the person sitting up, but if he/she is lying down it is recommended to turn the head to the side. These tips may help prevent choking.
Do not be afraid to get help right away. Usually, it is difficult to identify if a person is drunk enough to seek medical help. That’s why you should act right away rather than be sorry later.
Causes
The alcohol that is in alcoholic drinks is called ethyl alcohol (a form of ethanol). However, certain mouthwash, cooking extracts, medicines, and household products also contain alcohol. Poisoning with ethyl alcohol often occurs when a person drinks it too much in a short period of time.
There are other alcohol types that may also cause toxic poisoning that requires immediate treatment. For example:
- Isopropyl alcohol is often found in rubbing alcohol, lotions, and some cleaning products.
- Methanol (also called ethylene glycol) – This is a common ingredient used in paints, solvents, and antifreeze.
Binge Drinking
One of the most common causes of alcohol poisoning is binge drinking. It happens when a man drinks five or more alcoholic drinks rapidly or a woman takes at least four drinks within two hours. While an alcohol binge may occur over hours, it may last up to several days.
Furthermore, a person may drink a fatal dose of alcohol even before passing out. For instance, when a person is unconscious or interrupts drinking, the intestines and stomach continue to release alcohol into the bloodstream. As a result, the alcohol levels in the blood continue to increase.
It is important to know that alcohol is absorbed much faster than food and nutrients. However, the process by which the body gets rid of alcohol takes a lot of time. Commonly, most alcohol is processed by the liver. The risk of alcohol poisoning increases as long you consume alcohol, especially in a short period. Check below what one drink means:
- Beer – 360 milliliters (12 fluid ounces) that contain about 5% alcohol.
- Malt Liquor – 240 to 270 milliliters (8-9 fluid ounces) with about 7% alcohol
- Wine – 150 milliliters (5 fluid ounces) with about 12% alcohol
- Liquors (including gin, rum, vodka, or whiskey) – 45 milliliters (1.5 fluid ounces) that has about 40% alcohol.
In addition, the amount of alcohol in one drink can be much higher than those listed above. For instance, there are certain craft beers that contain much more alcohol than regular ones. Moreover, mixed drinks can contain more than one serving of alcohol.
Risk Factors
The following factors could elevate your risk of developing alcohol poisoning. These include:
- Height and weight
- Existing health conditions that negatively affect the body’s ability to process alcohol
- Recently eaten food
- If you administer medicines to treat a health condition along with alcoholic beverages
- The amount of alcohol in the drinks
- How much alcohol you drink in a short period
- The ability of the body to process alcohol
What Are the Complications of Alcohol Poisoning?
Those who experience this condition may have some complications. These include:
- Choking – This complication may occur when a person vomits and is unconscious.
- Breathing problems – Some people may accidentally inhale vomit into the lungs, which may lead to a dangerous or fatal stoppage of breathing (also called asphyxiation).
- Severe dehydration – Persistent vomiting may lead to severe dehydration (it occurs when the body does not have enough water and other fluids). Without treatment, this complication may cause hypotension (low blood pressure) and a fast heart rate.
- Seizures – These often happen due to a sudden drop in blood sugar levels.
- Hypothermia – If the body temperature drops too low, it may lead to cardiac arrest.
- Irregular heartbeat – This dangerous condition may cause the heart to beat abnormally and even to stop (sometimes).
- Brain damage – Drinking large alcohol amounts may cause damage to the brain. In some cases, this complication cannot be reversed.
- Death
How to Prevent Alcohol Poisoning?
There are some steps that you can consider to prevent alcohol poisoning. Check some examples below:
- Drink alcohol in moderation – Generally, it is advised two drinks for men daily and one drink for women per day.
- Do not take any medications when drinking alcoholic beverages – There are some medications that may interact with alcohol and cause unpleasant results. Discuss this with your healthcare professional before taking any medicines.
- Avoid alcoholic drinks on an empty stomach – While food can slow the absorption of alcohol in the stomach, it cannot prevent alcohol poisoning during binge drinking.
- Discuss with your teens – As per studies, children who are warned about alcohol effects and are in close relationships with their parents are less likely to drink.
- Store alcohol-containing products safely – It is advised to store household products that contain alcohol in a safe place, especially if you have small children. These include medicines, mouthwashes, cosmetics, and others.
Diagnosis
Usually, physicians diagnose this condition during a physical examination. However, when it is unclear, they may perform some tests, including urine and blood tests, to check alcohol levels in the blood. Moreover, blood tests can identify other alcohol toxicity (such as decreased blood sugar levels).
Treatment
Commonly, doctors recommend supportive care while the body removes the alcohol itself. It often includes:
- Regular monitoring to prevent choking or breathing problems
- Oxygen therapy
- IV (intravenous) fluids to prevent dehydration
- Vitamins, glucose, and other supplements to prevent life-threatening complications
In addition, those who accidentally drink methanol or isopropyl alcohol require hemodialysis. During this procedure, doctors filter waste and toxins from the blood.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the signs of alcohol poisoning?
These include:
- Mental confusion
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Slow or irregular breathing
- Loss of consciousness
- Difficulty staying awake
If you notice that a person experiences any of the symptoms listed above, seek medical help immediately.
What can mimic alcohol intoxication?
Check below for some conditions that can mimic alcohol poisoning:
- Reaction to certain medicines
- Brain injuries
- Hyperthermia or hypothermia
- Hypoxia caused by emphysema
- Stroke
- Epilepsy
- Hypoglycemia
- Diabetes
This document does not contain all possible conditions and situations that can mimic alcohol poisoning. Discuss this with your doctor for more details.
Is drinking every day bad?
Yes, consuming alcoholic drinks every day may lead to certain health problems. These include physical and mental disorders (such as liver damage, heart disease, increased risk for certain cancers, weakened immune system, sleeping problems, and others). If you have additional questions, ask your healthcare provider.
