What Is Alcohol Poisoning? And When to Get Help
What Is Alcohol Poisoning? And When to Get Help
Alcohol poisoning is a serious and potentially deadly condition. It can happen when someone drinks more alcohol than their body can safely process. While parties and social events are common places for drinking, it鈥檚 important to know the warning signs and what to do if someone is in danger.
What Happens When You Drink Too Much?
Alcohol affects the brain and body in ranges and stages. It can make people feel different based on how much they consume.
- Low doses: You may feel relaxed, social, and less anxious.
- Moderate doses: You might lose coordination and judgment.
- High doses: You could pass out, stop breathing, or even die.
鈥淎s the doses get higher, people can lose coordination, become unable to stand, or become unconscious,鈥 explains Michael Moss, MD, the director of the . 鈥淲hat we mean when we say alcohol poisoning is that someone has had so much alcohol that they then stop breathing and can die.鈥
What are the Warning Signs of Alcohol Poisoning?
If someone has had too much to drink, look for these signs:
- Can鈥檛 sit, stand, or talk
- Can鈥檛 be woken up or doesn鈥檛 respond to shouting or shaking
- Vomiting while unconscious
- Breathing slowly or irregularly
- Pale or bluish skin
If you notice any of these symptoms, don鈥檛 wait鈥攖hey may need emergency help.
How Long Does Alcohol Poisoning Last?
A person鈥檚 gender, body composition, and how much they consumed influences alcohol poisoning. The body metabolizes alcohol at a certain rate.
鈥淭he same amount of alcohol for a short, petite woman is very different from a linebacker on a football team,鈥 says Moss, an associate professor of at the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at the University of Utah. 鈥淭he football player has a lot more body and muscle mass for the alcohol to go into.鈥
Most people sober up over eight hours or more, but in severe cases, they may need medical care like oxygen or even a ventilator.
What You Can Do to Help
If someone is showing signs of alcohol poisoning:
- Check if they鈥檙e breathing and responsive
- Put them in the recovery position鈥攐n their side with their head supported鈥攖o prevent choking if they vomit
- Call for help if they鈥檙e unresponsive or breathing abnormally
鈥淚f you see someone that is unexpectedly unresponsive, unable to be woken up, choking on vomit, their color looks off, or they鈥檙e not breathing right, they definitely need to go to the hospital,鈥 Moss warns.
You can also call the Utah Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 for free, confidential advice 24/7.
鈥淲e鈥檙e not law enforcement,鈥 Moss says. 鈥淣o one鈥檚 going to get in trouble. We鈥檙e here to help people and advise them what to do.鈥
Tips to Drink More Safely
If you choose to drink, you can reduce your risk by:
- Drink slowly: Beer or wine is less concentrated than liquor
- Eat food: It slows alcohol absorption and helps you pace yourself
- Stay hydrated: Alternate alcoholic drinks with water or sports drinks
- Know your limits: Everyone鈥檚 body reacts differently to alcohol
When in Doubt, Reach Out
If you鈥檙e ever unsure whether someone is experiencing alcohol poisoning, don鈥檛 guess鈥攇et help. Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 24/7 to answer questions and guide you through what to do.
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