Understanding the Dangers of Alcohol Overdose National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism NIAAA

Alcohol poisoning is serious and requires professional medical attention. If an alcohol overdose is suspected, it is best to call for help right away. Try to keep the person in a sitting position, with their airway free. Lying down, especially on their back, increases a person’s risk of choking on their vomit. Whether you are struggling with addiction, mental health or both, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way. Don’t wait— reach out today to take the first step toward taking control of your life.

Factors of Alcohol Poisoning

Alcohol overdose can lead to permanent brain damage or death. Alcohol poisoning, also commonly referred to as an alcohol overdose, is a serious and life-threatening consequence of consuming large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time. The second phase of alcohol poisoning treatment happens after the crisis is past. At this point, the goal is to help you or your friend deal with a binge drinking disorder, other alcohol use disorder, or behavioral health problems that contributed to your alcohol overdose.

  • But it can also occur due to non-beverage alcohol (ethanol), which is in things like mouthwash, cologne and cough medicine.
  • Celebrating at parties, cheering a favorite sports team, and enjoying get-togethers after work are common ways to relax or be with friends.
  • Stay sitting upright, preferably on the floor or ground, to prevent falls.
  • This causes the alcohol in the blood to rise so much that it starts to affect important body functions, like breathing and heart rate.

Professional & Community Services

Alcohol poisoning happens when excess alcohol in your bloodstream starts affecting life-supporting functions, like your breathing, heart rate and consciousness. Alcohol poisoning can be life-threatening and needs immediate medical care. Using alcohol with opioid pain relievers, such as oxycodone and morphine, or illicit opioids, such as heroin, is also a very dangerous combination. Like alcohol, these drugs suppress areas in the brain that control vital functions such as breathing. Ingesting alcohol and other drugs together intensifies their individual effects and could produce an overdose with even moderate amounts of alcohol. Alcohol intoxication happens when alcohol enters the bloodstream and starts affecting the body and brain.

if someone is showing signs of an alcohol overdose you should

What is the prognosis for alcohol poisoning?

If you see signs of alcohol poisoning, you need to use your emergency number immediately. Call 911 and ask for help as soon as you see some of the signs. Remember, if you or your friend displays these symptoms, get help now. Here’s another thing to keep in mind about alcohol overdoses. While alcohol is one of the 5 most addictive drugs, you can fall prey to alcohol poisoning even the first day you drink if you do it to excess.

Treating Alcohol Poisoning

Once your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) rises a little higher, you become more impaired. Some people become aggressive, and you might feel angry or ready to fight. You might not realize that driving is a bad idea at this point. However, your amphetamine addiction treatment reflexes are too slowed down, and your ability to pay attention decreases. Knowing the difference between being drunk and alcohol poisoning is very important.

if someone is showing signs of an alcohol overdose you should

Other names for alcohol poisoning include alcohol overdose and ethanol toxicity. The information contained on this website is not intended to be a substitute for, or to be relied upon as, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. When taking care of someone who has alcohol poisoning, it is important to stay calm and remain with the person until help arrives. Here are some more detailed tips as to what you can do to help keep a person with alcohol poisoning safe until professional help arrives.

Your liver breaks down alcohol to remove it from your body because it’s a toxin. But when BAC levels are high, your alcohol overdose liver can’t remove the toxins quickly enough. Know the danger signals, and if you suspect that someone has an alcohol overdose, call 911 for help immediately.

Mental Health and Loneliness

if someone is showing signs of an alcohol overdose you should

Do not give them anything to eat or drink unless it is small sips of water. Instead of https://prediksirusuntopvip1.com/ketamine-addiction-symptoms-risks-treatment-2/ telling them to take a shower or drink coffee, keep them as quiet and still as possible. Their life may be in danger, and they need to avoid doing anything that might cause them injury or increase their risk.

  • Alcohol poisoning is defined by a blood-alcohol level that is toxic or poisonous.
  • Your liver breaks down alcohol to remove it from your body because it’s a toxin.

Don’t try to remedy the situation yourself; cold showers and coffee may not be enough to revive someone in extreme cases. Ingesting alcohol and other drugs together intensifies their individual effects and could produce an overdose with even moderate amounts of alcohol.1 What results is a lethal cocktail. For the first phase of alcohol poisoning treatment, you might be taken to any hospital near where you are. However, for the second phase, and in some cases the first as well, you may be able to choose where you seek help.


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