Let’s be honest, parties, celebrations, and weekend hangouts often come with raised glasses and “just one more” drinks.
But how do you know when the night has taken a dangerous turn? When the line between slightly buzzed and toxic is crossed?
If you’ve ever asked that question or wished you had, this blog is for you.
We are talking about alcohol poisoning and no, it’s not just a hangover gone wrong. It’s a medical emergency.
Despite growing awareness about its risks, many people are still unsure about what is alcohol poisoning, how to identify alcohol poisoning symptoms, and more importantly, its treatment.
If left unmanaged, alcohol poisoning can severely damage your vital organs. So, let’s uncover its dangers in this blog.
What is Alcohol Poisoning?
When there is too much alcohol in your bloodstream, it leads to alcohol poisoning. It affects some areas of the brain that have control on your basic functions like breathing, heart rate, and body temperature. It results after binge drinking, which affects the liver’s ability to process alcohol.
Common Alcohol Poisoning Symptoms
Before it costs your life, it is essential that you recognise the symptoms of alcohol poisoning early. Here are some signs that you may look for:
- Confusion
- Vomiting repeatedly or uncontrollably
- Seizures
- Slow or irregular breathing (less than 8 breaths per minute)
- Hypothermia (low body temperature)
- Bluish or pale skin, especially around the lips or fingertips
- Unconsciousness and inability to wake up
- Alcohol poisoning eyes
If you notice even one of these symptoms, you should run for immediate medical help.
Dangers of Binge Drinking and Alcohol Poisoning
While we miss the count of the shots during celebrations, poisoning can even happen when five or more drinks for men and four or more for women in about two hours. This behaviour significantly increases the risk of acute alcohol poisoning, which can lead to permanent brain damage, coma, or even death.
Also, more alcohol can interact with other substances in the body and may increase the chances of methyl alcohol poisoning or ethyl alcohol poisoning, both of which require urgent care.
Methyl vs. Ethyl Alcohol Poisoning
While most alcohol consumed socially is ethyl alcohol, methyl alcohol (methanol) is often found in antifreeze, fuel, and some illicit liquor. Methanol is far more toxic and leads to blindness, organ failure, and even death. The methyl alcohol poisoning treatment differs slightly but is equally urgent.
Key Differences:
- Methyl alcohol poisoning treatment often involves administering alcohol poisoning antidote fomepizole or ethanol, and dialysis may be required.
- Ethyl alcohol poisoning treatment, on the other hand, is more about stabilising vital functions and letting the liver process the alcohol, unless the dose is lethal.
Alcohol Poisoning Treatment: What Really Works?
When it comes to alcohol poisoning treatment, home remedies are not only ineffective, they can be dangerous too. Here’s what really needs to be done:
Call Emergency Services
Dial emergency services immediately. You should be ready with the information like the amount and type of alcohol consumed, time of consumption, and the person’s age and weight.
Keep Them Awake and Sitting Up
If the person is conscious, try to keep them awake and upright. This reduces the risk of choking on vomit.
Keep Checking Breathing
Watch their breathing and heart rate. If breathing slows or stops, you may need to perform CPR until help arrives.
Use the Recovery Position
If the person is unconscious but breathing, turn them onto their left side in the recovery position. This prevents choking.
Keep Them Warm
Since the body temperature dips during poisoning, cover them with a blanket for warmth to help normalise the temperature.
These are some alcohol poisoning treatment at home until you make it to get professional care.
How Do Doctors Treat Alcohol Poisoning
Once at the hospital, doctors identify alcohol poisoning symptoms and may use several methods under alcohol poisoning treatment guidelines effectively:
- IV fluids to rehydrate and stabilise organs
- Oxygen therapy to assist with breathing
- Stomach pumping (in extreme cases) to remove any remaining alcohol
- Hemodialysis, especially in cases involving toxic alcohols like methanol or ethylene glycol
- Observation and support, especially for mental state and possible seizures
Read More: Foetal Alcohol Syndrome: How Male Alcohol Use Can Contribute to Birth Defects
Can Alcohol Poisoning Be Prevented?
Yes! Poisoning prevention starts with you. Here are some tips to prevent alcohol poisoning:
- One drink per hour is a good rule of thumb
- Never mix alcohol with drugs or energy drinks
- Eat before and while drinking. Food can slow alcohol absorption
- Stay hydrated with water or electrolyte drinks
- Avoid peer pressure to consume more than you are comfortable with
Did you know that in 2019, 2.6 million died due to alcohol consumption, of which 2 million were among men and 0.6 million among women.
Wrapping Up
Alcohol poisoning is a severe medical emergency that requires quick thinking and action. If you know the alcohol poisoning symptoms like slow breathing, unconsciousness, pale skin, or vomiting, you can perform proper alcohol poisoning treatment at home until help arrives.
It is equally important to be aware of the dangers of binge drinking and alcohol poisoning and make responsible choices. If you see someone has had too much to drink and shows signs of poisoning, call for immediate help and stay calm.
