Alcohol Poisoning – Symptoms and Causes

Overview

Alcohol poisoning happens when someone drinks too much alcohol in a short time. This can harm the body in many ways.

It may slow breathing, change heart rate, lower body temperature, and affect the gag reflex. These problems can be very serious and even deadly.

This condition isn’t just from drinking beer, wine, or liquor. It can also happen when someone drinks products with alcohol in them, like certain household cleaners.

Anyone showing signs of alcohol poisoning needs medical help right away. Quick action can save a life.

Signs of Alcohol Poisoning

Someone with alcohol poisoning may show several warning signs. If you notice confusion, vomiting, seizures, or slow breathing (less than 8 breaths per minute), take action immediately.

Serious symptoms include irregular breathing with pauses longer than 10 seconds, blue or pale skin, a low body temperature, and difficulty staying awake.

You don’t need to see all these symptoms to seek help. If someone has passed out from drinking and won’t wake up, they could be in danger.

This Is a Medical Emergency

If you think someone has alcohol poisoning, don’t wait to see if they improve. Get medical help immediately, even if some typical signs aren’t present.

Follow these steps:

• Call 911 right away. Never assume someone can just “sleep it off.”
• Share important details. Tell emergency workers what type of alcohol the person drank, how much, and when.
• Stay with them. Never leave an unconscious person alone. Their gag reflex may not work properly, putting them at risk of choking on vomit.
• Help if they are vomiting. Keep them sitting up, if possible. If they must lie down, turn their heads to the side to prevent choking. Try to keep them awake.

Getting Help Is the Right Choice

It can be difficult to judge if someone needs medical attention for drinking. However, it’s always better to act quickly rather than regretting not doing so later.

You might worry about the consequences, especially if underage drinking is involved. Remember that the health risks of not getting timely help are far more serious than any other concerns.

What Causes Alcohol Poisoning

Excessive Drinking in Short Periods

Alcohol poisoning happens when someone drinks too much alcohol too quickly. The main form of alcohol in drinks is ethanol, or ethyl alcohol. This substance appears in alcoholic beverages, some mouthwashes, cooking extracts, medications, and household products.

Other dangerous alcohols include isopropyl alcohol (found in rubbing alcohol and cleaning products) and methanol (found in antifreeze and solvents).

How Much Alcohol Is Too Much?

The body absorbs alcohol much faster than it absorbs food. While food might take hours to digest, alcohol enters your bloodstream quickly. The liver processes most alcohol, but it works slowly compared to how fast alcohol enters your system.

Drinking large amounts in short periods greatly increases your risk of alcohol poisoning. Here’s what counts as one standard drink:

Type of Drink	Amount	Alcohol Content
Beer	12 fluid ounces (360 mL)	About 5%
Malt Liquor	8–9 fluid ounces (240–270 mL)	About 7%
Wine	5 fluid ounces (150 mL)	About 12%
Hard Liquor	1.5 fluid ounces (45 mL)	About 40%

Be careful, though—many drinks contain more alcohol than these standard amounts. Some craft beers might have four times as much alcohol as regular beer. Always check the label for alcohol content, or ask servers about it.

Mixed drinks often contain multiple servings of alcohol in one glass. This can lead to consuming more alcohol than you realize.

Even after someone stops drinking or passes out, their body continues absorbing alcohol. Alcohol continues to enter the bloodstream from the stomach and intestines, raising levels even when a person is unconscious.

This is why someone can drink a fatal amount before passing out.

Risk Factors

Several things can raise your chances of getting alcohol poisoning:

• Body size: Your height and weight affect how alcohol impacts you.
• Health issues: Certain conditions change how your body handles alcohol.
• Food intake: Having food in your stomach slows alcohol absorption.
• Medication interactions: Taking other drugs or medicines alongside alcohol.
• Alcohol strength: Higher-percentage drinks cause faster intoxication.
• Drinking patterns: How quickly you drink and how much you consume.
• Metabolism: Your body’s natural ability to process alcohol.

Potential Risks

Alcohol poisoning can lead to several dangerous health issues. When someone drinks too much, they may throw up and could choke if they pass out, since alcohol weakens the body’s gag reflex.

Breathing problems are another serious concern. If vomit gets into the lungs, a person might stop breathing completely.

Heavy vomiting causes the body to lose important fluids. This dehydration can make blood pressure drop dangerously low while speeding up the heart rate.

Blood sugar levels may fall so low that seizures occur. Body temperature can also drop too low, which might cause the heart to stop working.

Alcohol poisoning often affects heart rhythm, making it irregular or even stopping completely.

Long-term damage includes:

• Permanent brain injury
• Organ failure
• Death from any of these complications

Preventing Alcohol Poisoning

Preventing alcohol poisoning involves making smart choices about drinking habits. Here are several important ways to protect yourself and others:

Practice Moderation

• Men should limit to two drinks daily.
• Women should limit to one drink daily.
• Sip drinks slowly rather than gulping them down.

Be Cautious with Medications

Some medicines interact dangerously with even small amounts of alcohol. Talk with your healthcare provider about whether your medications or health conditions might increase your risk of alcohol poisoning.

Eat Before Drinking

Having food in your stomach can slow alcohol absorption. This won’t completely prevent alcohol poisoning during heavy drinking, but it may help reduce the risk.

Talk with Teenagers

Engaging in open discussions about the dangers of alcohol is crucial for safeguarding young individuals. Research indicates that teens are less likely to drink if they have strong relationships with their parents who discuss the risks of alcohol.

Secure Alcohol Products

Keep all alcohol-containing items away from children, including:

• Alcoholic beverages (consider keeping under lock and key)
• Mouthwash
• Certain medicines
• Cosmetics with alcohol
• Household cleaners

Install childproof locks on cabinets that store these items. Store toxic products in places children cannot reach.

Get Professional Help

After an alcohol poisoning incident, follow-up care is essential. Meeting with a healthcare provider, especially a substance use counselor, can help prevent future dangerous drinking episodes.