Alcohol poisoning (also called alcohol overdose) occurs when a person drinks a large amount of alcohol in a short time.
This can suppress vital functions controlled by the brain, including breathing, heart rate, body temperature, and the gag reflex. In severe cases, it can lead to coma or death. Alcohol Poisoning: Symptoms, Causes, Complications, and Treatment.
Binge drinking is a common cause. For adults, this is typically defined as 4 or more drinks for women or 5 or more drinks for men within about 2 hours...To Read The Full Content; Tap Here Now .
Individual factors such as body size, food intake, tolerance, medications, and other substances affect risk.
Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning
Watch for these signs:
Confusion or inability to stay awake
Vomiting
Seizures
Slow breathing (fewer than 8 breaths per minute)
Irregular breathing (gaps of more than 10 seconds between breaths)
Pale, blue-tinged, or grayish skin (especially lips or fingernails)
Low body temperature (hypothermia)
Unconsciousness or inability to be roused
Not all symptoms need to be present. If you suspect alcohol poisoning, treat it as an emergency.
What to Do in an Emergency
Alcohol poisoning requires immediate medical help.
Call 911 (or your local emergency number) right away. Do not wait or assume the person will “sleep it off.”
Stay with the person. Never leave an unconscious person alone.
If the person is unconscious but breathing, place them in the recovery position (on their side) to reduce the risk of choking on vomit.
If they are conscious and able to sit, help them stay upright.
Keep them warm with a blanket or coat.
Be ready to tell emergency responders what and how much the person drank, and when.
Do not:
Try to make the person vomit
Give coffee, caffeine, or more alcohol
Put them in a cold shower or bathLeave them alone
How to Reduce the Risk of Alcohol Poisoning
Prevention focuses on safer drinking habits:
Drink in moderation. U.S. Dietary Guidelines suggest up to 1 drink per day for women and up to 2 for men on days when alcohol is consumed (if you choose to drink).
Pace yourself: limit to about one standard drink per hour.
Eat food before and while drinking.
Alternate alcoholic drinks with water or non-alcoholic beverages.
Know what a standard drink is (roughly 12 oz beer, 5 oz wine, or 1.5 oz distilled spirits).
Avoid drinking games, shots, or rapid consumption.
Never mix alcohol with other drugs or medications that depress the central nervous system.
Watch out for friends and intervene early if someone is drinking too quickly.
Young adults, people with lower body weight, and those with less drinking experience face higher risks. Underage drinking and drinking during pregnancy should be avoided entirely.
Alcohol poisoning is a medical emergency. Quick action can save a life. If you or someone you know struggles with heavy drinking, resources such as the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) or local support services can help.