Alcohol Poisoning Symptoms

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This may come as a surprise to many individuals, but approximately 50,000 cases of alcohol poisoning are reported each year in the United States. Not only this, but approximately once per week, someone needlessly dies from alcohol poisoning.

Understanding alcohol poisoning symptoms and the causes of a toxic reaction and responding appropriately and intelligently to such situations can help avoid a fatal alcohol overdose.

Alcohol Poisoning and Blood Alcohol Level Factors

image: doctor writing in chart of alcohol poisoning patient Alcohol poisoning is a dangerous and sometimes deadly result of drinking extreme amounts of ethanol alcohol.

It is important and relevant to emphasize the fact that binge drinking (consuming five or more alcoholic drinks at one sitting) can also lead to alcohol poisoning.

The effects of the alcohol on your body depend on the amount of alcohol in your blood (blood alcohol level).

Factors that affect your blood alcohol level include the following:

How strong the alcoholic drink is
How quickly your body metabolizes the alcohol
How much food is in your stomach at the time you drink
How quickly you consume the alcoholic drink

The cost of untreated drug and alcohol abuse in the U.S. in a year is estimated at $276 Billion in lost productivity, law enforcement costs, health care and welfare programs. Savings from treatment programs is incalculable!

Typical Alcohol Poisoning Symptoms

The first symptom of alcohol poisoning is usually nausea, followed by vomiting. These symptoms are messages from your body that you consumed more alcohol than your body can metabolize.

The following represent other signs and symptoms of alcohol poisoning:

Absent reflexes
No withdrawal from painful stimuli (for instance from pinching)
Confusion
Difficulty awakening the person
Seizures
Slow, shallow, or irregular breathing
Blue-tinged skin or pale skin
Unconsciousness (passing out)

The Interaction of Alcohol and Other Drugs

It must be pointed out that alcohol can also be dangerous in smaller amounts if it is used in combination with the following drugs:

Narcotic pain medications (such as codine, codine derivatives, opium, heroin, and darvocet)
Sedatives (examples include barbiturates, tranquilizers, and cannabis)
Certain anti-seizure medications (such as phenobarbital)

The overriding plan of action when experiencing a possible alcohol overdose situation is this: Do not take chances when someone's life is at stake. If you suspect that a person has alcohol poisoning or is overdosing on alcohol, get immediate medical assistance, even if the person is underage.

Alcohol Poisoning Symptoms: Conclusion

In the United States, approximately 50,000 cases of alcohol poisoning are reported each year, and roughly once every week, someone dies from alcohol poisoning.

Understanding alcohol poisoning symptoms and the causes of a toxic reaction and responding intelligently and appropriately to such a situation, can help avoid a fatal overdose.

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A recent study by the Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol Study discovered that binge drinkers are far more likely to be involved in car accidents than non-binge drinkers. Since more than 44% of full-time American college students reported involvement in binge drinking at least one time during the previous 30-day period, it can be determined that many of the motor vehicle accidents experienced by college students were the result of alcohol abuse such as binge drinking.

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