Alcohol Poisoning or Overdose

Alcohol overdose can lead to permanent brain damage or death. On average, 6 people died every day from alcohol poisoning in the US from 2010 to 2012. Alcohol poisoning is caused by drinking large quantities of alcohol in a short period of time. Very high levels of alcohol in the body can shutdown critical areas of the brain that control breathing, heart rate, and body temperature, resulting in death.

As with other substances, consuming alcohol in excessive amounts at once can lead to serious health complications. An alcohol overdose is one major health problem that can be the result of heavy drinking. Some people enjoy having a beer, wine or liquor to celebrate or relax. But if you don’t know when to quit, you could be putting yourself in a life-threatening situation. When a person’s blood-alcohol level rises, so does the risk of alcohol poisoning.

Alcohol poisoning

The more alcohol you consume, the more it enters your bloodstream. Severe vomiting, which can lead to dehydration, seizures, permanent brain damage or death. If you suspect someone has overdosed on alcohol, contact medical assistance immediately. When a person knows you can overdose on alcohol, it becomes important to either call an ambulance or quickly alcohol overdose get the person to an emergency room. Do not rely on “home remedy” treatments like giving the person coffee, telling them to walk it off, or letting them sleep it off. Someone who either does not know better, such as a child, or who feels desperate to consume alcohol, may ingest common household items that include alcohol as an ingredient.

• When oxygen flow is cut off from the brain, you are at risk for permanent brain damage.
• Staying educated on how you can play your part is important.
• Additionally, it’s possible to choke on your own vomit when intoxicated as alcohol reduces your gag reflex, which can lead to death.
• If you can’t keep them sitting up, put them in the recovery position, on their side with their head turned.

As you drink more, your blood alcohol content level continues to climb. Eventually, it becomes so high https://ecosoberhouse.com/ that your basic mental, physical and emotional functions are no longer able to work properly.

Understanding the Dangers of Alcohol Overdose

Allow communities such as states and cities to limit days and times when alcohol can be sold or served. If the person is throwing up, help them to lean forward to avoid choking. It’s considered a depressant, as it slows down your speech, movement, and reaction time. It also impacts the organs, such as the stomach, liver, and small intestine. Remember that there is a chance that a person who has passed out may not ever regain consciousness and there is a serious risk that death could occur. Recognize that most people who drink too much are not alcohol dependent but may still need counseling. WebMD Connect to Care helps you find services to manage your health.

• Effectively manage and minimize the physical and emotional symptoms that occur during alcohol withdrawal and detox.
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• Even if the victim lives, an alcohol overdose can lead to irreversible brain damage.
• It is dangerous to assume that an unconscious person will be fine by sleeping it off.
• When a person knows you can overdose on alcohol, it becomes important to either call an ambulance or quickly get the person to an emergency room.
• Between 1999 and 2008, alcohol overdose hospitalizations increased 25 percent from the decade before.