Last Updated:
November 5th, 2024
Alcohol poisoning is an extremely critical and potentially life-threatening condition caused by consuming excessive amounts of alcohol in a short period of time. This state goes beyond intoxication, and it is over-consumption to the point where you begin to overwhelm your body’s ability to process the alcohol, leading to severe disruptions in the central nervous system. This can impair various bodily and mental functions.
Immediate action is crucial in alcohol poisoning emergencies. Delaying intervention can lead to life-threatening complications, including brain damage, hypothermia, and even cardiac arrest.
Signs and symptoms
The first step is simply being able to recognise the symptoms of alcohol poisoning and understand how they can differ from general intoxication. Both physical and behavioural symptoms can indicate a severe and potentially fatal reaction to excessive alcohol consumption.
Physical symptoms
Some of the key physical signs include:
Confusion or stupor: This is where the person may be severely disoriented or unable to comprehend their surroundings.
Vomiting: This is common. The body vomits to expel the excessive alcohol, but it also poses a risk of choking, especially if the person is unconscious.
Seizures: These can occur due to the extreme toxicity affecting the brain.
Slow or irregular breathing: This refers to less than eight breaths per minute or long pauses between breaths, indicating serious respiratory depression.
Hypothermia: Low body temperature, often accompanied by bluish skin colour or paleness. Unconsciousness: Probably the most alarming symptom, with an inability to wake up, which is a medical emergency requiring immediate intervention.
Behavioural signs
Behavioural indicators of alcohol poisoning can be just as telling.
Extreme disorientation: This is very common, where the person may not recognise familiar people or places.
Unresponsive to stimuli: Stimuli such as pinching or loud noises.
Uncoordinated movements: Either this or the inability to control bodily functions is also a significant sign.
In severe cases, the individual might engage in uncharacteristically risky behaviour due to impaired judgement and lack of awareness.
Immediate steps to take
In the event of alcohol poisoning, immediate and decisive action can save a life. Here are the critical steps you should take:
Call emergency services
When you call 999 (check other countries for their individual emergency service numbers), make sure you provide the operator with extremely detailed information as fast as possible, including the person’s condition, your exact location, and any known alcohol consumption details. This information is vital for the responders to assess the situation correctly and provide the appropriate guidance.
Position the person properly
Make sure that while you wait for emergency services, you ensure that the person is placed in the recovery position. This involves turning them onto their side with one knee bent in order to prevent them from choking on their vomit in case they become unconscious. The recovery position helps keep their airway clear and reduces the risk of aspiration, which can lead to severe complications or even death.
Stay with the person
Never leave the person alone. Continuously monitor their breathing and overall condition until professional help arrives. Watch for any changes in their breathing or consciousness level, as alcohol poisoning symptoms can rapidly worsen. It’s essential to resist the urge to give them food, water, or coffee, as these can aggravate their condition by complicating the digestive process or causing choking.
Keep the person warm
Hypothermia is a common risk of alcohol poisoning due to alcohol’s effects on the body’s temperature regulation. Cover the person with a blanket or coat to keep them warm, especially if they are outside or in a cold environment. Keeping their body temperature stable is crucial as hypothermia can further depress the body’s vital functions, leading to more severe outcomes.
What not to do
Here is what not to do in an alcohol poisoning emergency:
Don’t let them “sleep it off”
Allowing someone with alcohol poisoning to “sleep it off” can be extremely dangerous and potentially deadly. Alcohol poisoning can worsen over time as the alcohol in the stomach and intestines continues to enter the bloodstream, leading to a deeper state of unconsciousness, respiratory failure, or death.
No vomit-inducement
Trying to induce vomiting in someone with alcohol poisoning is highly discouraged. This can cause the person to choke, especially if they are already unconscious or their gag reflex is impaired. Vomiting can also lead to aspiration, where vomit enters the lungs, resulting in severe respiratory complications like pneumonia.
No food, drinks, or medication
Offering food, water, coffee, or any medication to someone suffering from alcohol poisoning can do more harm than good. Food and drinks will not help “sober them up” and could cause choking or aspiration, particularly if the person is semi-conscious or has a suppressed gag reflex.
Prevention strategies
It’s very important to understand personal limits and the dangers of binge drinking. This is key to preventing alcohol poisoning. Binge drinking, defined as consuming large quantities of alcohol in a short time, significantly increases the risk of alcohol poisoning..
Certain factors can elevate the risk of alcohol poisoning. Body weight, for example, influences how quickly alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream. Individuals with lower body weight may become intoxicated more quickly. Tolerance levels also vary, meaning regular drinkers might not feel the immediate effects but are still at risk of poisoning. Additionally, mixing alcohol with other substances, especially drugs, can compound the effects and lead to dangerous interactions. Educating people on these risks is crucial for preventing emergencies.