Have you ever drank so much that you passed out, got incredibly sick, and couldn’t remember the night before? Well, you may have had a mild form of alcohol poisoning.
Alcohol poisoning occurs when too much alcohol is in the bloodstream, affecting key regions of the brain. In mild forms, it causes severe sickness and discomfort (many describe this as blacking out or the worst hangover of their life), but in more serious cases, it can lead to respiratory depression, coma, and death.
While the safest choice is to drink moderately or not at all, harm reduction education teaches you to recognize the warning signs of alcohol poisoning, the immediate actions to take, and tips on how to drink safely.
What is Alcohol Poisoning?
Alcohol poisoning is a potentially fatal condition that results from drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. When the level of alcohol in the bloodstream becomes too high, it quickly raises our Blood Alcohol Content (BAC), and can shut down regions of the brain that control essential functions such as breathing, heart rate, and body temperature control.
A BAC of around 0.30% to 0.40% is considered the range where alcohol poisoning occurs.
- Levels between 0.30% and 0.35%: Symptoms appear as severe confusion, loss of motor control, vomiting, and slow or irregular breathing.
- Levels between 0.35% and 0.40%: Significantly increase the risk of coma, respiratory depression, and hypothermia.
- Levels above 0.40%: Without emergency medical intervention, it often leads to coma or death [1].
Alcohol poisoning is most commonly caused by binge drinking (drinking high amounts of alcohol in a short amount of time), often by accident, such as in social settings. Poisoning can also be caused by ingesting rubbing alcohol or drinking mouthwash; this is more common in teens or kids.
Factors that Increase Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)
Some people may be more at risk of alcohol poisoning than others due to individual factors that increase BAC levels. These include [2]:
- Alcohol content and number of drinks: Liquor with higher alcohol concentration and a high amount of drinks consumed quickly spikes BAC.
- Drinking speed: The faster one drinks, the greater the risk of alcohol poisoning because the body cannot metabolize it quickly enough.
- Body size: Smaller individuals with higher body fat percentages are more sensitive to alcohol because fat absorbs less alcohol than muscle.
- Gender: Women usually reach high BAC levels quicker than men due to lower body water content and fewer alcohol metabolizing enzymes.
- Diet: Drinking on an empty stomach can increase BAC levels quickly. Eating starchy and bland foods, especially before or during drinking, can slow down the absorption of alcohol in the bloodstream.
Recognizing Signs of Alcohol Poisoning
To provide quick intervention and reduce the risk of life-threatening complications, it’s essential to recognize the signs of alcohol poisoning. Alcohol poisoning is different than the symptoms of someone who is simply tipsy or drunk:
Physical Signs to Watch For
- Loss of balance, basic motor skills, inability to walk
- Nausea, vomiting, dry heaving
- Slowed or reduced breathing (less than eight breaths per minute)
- Low body temperature (high risk of hypothermia)
- Cold or clammy skin, blue or purple lips or fingertips
- Unresponsive, loss of consciousness
What to Do if You Suspect Someone Has Alcohol Poisoning
If you suspect someone has alcohol poisoning, act quickly, as the condition can quickly worsen and be fatal. There are several steps to take if you believe a loved one is suffering from alcohol poisoning:
- Call 911 immediately.
- Keep the person awake, sitting up right, and alert (if they are still conscious).
- If the person is unconscious or lying down, place them on their side in the recovery position to prevent choking on vomit (knees bent, arms crossed).
- If they are unconscious, monitor their breathing and check their pulse.
- Be prepared to provide emergency services with information about how much the person drank, what they were drinking, if they were mixing alcohol or other drugs, and any underlying medical conditions they have.
When to Call Emergency Services
Don’t wait; call emergency services right away, even if you’re unsure it’s necessary. Emergency medical care can make all the difference between life and death. Place them in the recovery position, monitor their breathing (which is likely to be shallow), and wait for emergency personnel to arrive.
Tips for Safe Drinking
There are effective ways you can enjoy alcohol and stay safe when drinking to reduce the risk of alcohol poisoning. Some tips include:
- Moderate drinking: Limit the amount of alcohol you drink (recommended two maximum drinks for women and three drinks for men) and space it out so you are not consuming more than one drink an hour.
- You can keep track of your BAC level with BAC calculators, which look at several factors to help determine the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream.
- Eat before drinking: Having food in your stomach allows for absorption and prevents quick intoxication.
- Stay hydrated: Drink a glass of water between every alcohol drink you have to reduce the risk of alcohol poisoning and prevent hangover symptoms the next morning
- Never drink and drive: This can lead to a DUI, fines, jail time, and deadly accidents.
Alcohol Awareness and Psychoeducation at Maple Mountain
At Maple Mountain Mental Health and Wellness, we aim to offer the local Mapleton, UT community education and awareness around alcohol, drugs, and mental health. We understand the importance of how psychoeducation and harm reduction can prevent devastating events from alcohol poisoning from occurring.
Our comprehensive substance abuse programs also provide treatment for alcohol toxicity to help those who struggle with alcohol abuse move forward with long-term recovery. In addition, we have comprehensive and state-of-the-art programs to improve often underlying mental health issues which can provide lasting overall wellness.
Sources
[1] Blood Alcohol Content (BAC). 2022. Cleveland Clinic.
[2] Factors that affect a person’s BAC. 2010. SDERA.
