Alcohol Poisoning

Alcohol poisoning occurs when more alcohol has been consumed than the body can metabolize in a healthy manner. Severe alcohol poisoning leads to respiratory failure, coma, and ultimately death. In many cases of death by alcohol poisoning the person has died by choking on his or her vomit.

Drinking games, "chugging" or "guzzling" alcohol, hazing rituals, and high proof alcohol drinks are often factors involved in tragic incidents when too much alcohol is consumed over a brief time period. Alcohol consumption combined with some types of medication may also lead to accidental overdose and alcohol poisoning.

Signs and symptoms:

Unconsciousness or semiconsciousness

Cold, clammy, pale, or bluish skin.

Slow respiration (breaths of eight or less per minute) or lapses of more than eight seconds between breaths.

Vomiting while "sleeping" or passed out, and not waking up after vomiting.

Person is not alert to the date, time, or his or her surroundings or location.

If a person has any of these symptoms, he or she may be suffering from acute alcohol intoxication.

What should you do?

Call 911 immediately.

While waiting for 911 emergency transport, gently turn the intoxicated person on his/her side and maintain that position by placing a pillow in the small of the person's back. This is important to prevent aspiration (choking) should the person vomit. Stay with the person until medical help arrives.

Even if the person appears to be "sleeping it off," alcohol in the stomach may continue to enter the bloodstream and circulate throughout the body. The person’s life may still be in danger. Get medical help immediately. Don't guess.

A person who is vomiting from too much alcohol needs to be evaluated by a medically trained professional. Never leave a person alone. Call for help as soon as possible.

Do not try to give the person anything to eat or drink if he or she is fading in and out of consciousness. This increases the risk of the person choking.

When the ambulance crew arrives, answer any questions to the best of your ability. Gather information about what the person had to eat and drink, and if the person is taking any medications.

Remember that it's better to be safe than sorry. Take action immediately. Everyone reacts differently to alcohol. A person suffering from alcohol poisoning will not necessarily exhibit all of the symptoms described.