The Causes and Effects of Alcohol Poisoning

Alcohol poisoning happens when there is too much alcohol in your blood. This affects the brain’s ability to control important functions. These functions include breathing, heart rate, and body temperature. This impairment can lead to these vital systems shutting down.

Excessive alcohol consumption can be deadly, and spotting the signs of alcohol overdose is crucial in preventing severe outcomes. Taking prompt action and seeking expert assistance can prevent fatalities.

What Is Alcohol Poisoning?

Alcohol poisoning happens when excessive alcohol consumption impairs vital brain functions, influencing aspects such as breathing, heart rate, and body temperature regulation. While it can occur in any person, it is primarily seen in males of middle age.

What Is the Cause of Alcohol Poisoning?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that excessive alcohol intake in a short period results in alcohol toxicity.

Drinking a lot of alcohol quickly can increase its level in your blood. This affects the parts of your brain that control awareness and breathing. This may result in loss of consciousness, respiratory failure, or death.

Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is a metric used to ascertain the quantity of alcohol in one’s bloodstream. A BAC of .10% signifies that roughly one droplet of alcohol exists in every 1,000 droplets of blood.

When a person’s blood alcohol concentration, also known as BAC, hits dangerous levels, it results in alcohol poisoning. Those with elevated BAC are prone to experiencing blackouts and losing consciousness. Importantly, even if the person has passed out, their BAC can continue to rise.

Even if you stop drinking, alcohol in your stomach can still enter your bloodstream. It can spread throughout your body and may lead to alcohol poisoning. It is extremely dangerous and potentially life-threatening to assume that an unconscious person can safely “sleep it off.”

Alcohol Poisoning Signs

In case an individual is heavily intoxicated and exhibits unresponsiveness, cessation of breathing, or any symptoms of alcohol poisoning, it is crucial to promptly seek medical help.

The signs of alcohol poisoning include:

• Lips turning blue
• Unconsciousness and inability to wake up
• Struggling to stay conscious
• Hands and feet that are cold and sweaty
• Reduced breathing rate, with less than eight breaths per minute or pauses in breathing that last ten seconds or longer
• Rapid breathing
• Diminished or non-existent reflexes
• Convulsions
• Decreased heart rate
• Trouble with breathing

Deaths from Alcohol Poisoning

As per the CDC, an average of six people die of alcohol poisoning daily. . Most of the impacted individuals are males between the ages of 35 and 64, with alcohol addiction recognized as a major contributing element.

Similar to opioids, alcohol functions as a depressant for the central nervous system. Consuming alcohol inhibits the nerves in your body responsible for controlling automatic responses, such as your gag reflex.

Alcohol has the potential to upset the stomach, frequently leading to throwing up. This mix can be lethal for an individual who consumes alcohol to the point of unconsciousness. The absence of a functioning gag reflex increases the likelihood of suffocating on vomit and death. Even if the individual survives, oxygen deprivation could result in irreversible brain injury.

Binge Drinking and Alcohol Poisoning

The hazards of alcohol poisoning increase with every extra drink, resulting in a perilous trend.

Binge drinking is defined as the consumption of four or more alcoholic beverages for women or five or more for men within a two-hour span. This often results in a significant increase in blood alcohol levels, thereby increasing the risk of adverse effects. Typically, adults who engage in binge drinking tend to consume approximately eight drinks within this timeframe.

How Do You Treat Alcohol Poisoning?

Should you suspect a case of alcohol poisoning, seek immediate medical assistance.

If the alcohol has already passed through the small intestines, provoking regurgitation will not be beneficial. Don’t leave someone who is unconscious or sleeping by themselves. Their blood alcohol level can still go up even after they pass out.

Widespread fallacies such as having cold showers, consuming black coffee, or attempting to “shake it off” could potentially exacerbate the situation. It’s vital to comprehend that these techniques will not remedy alcohol poisoning or rapidly make someone sober. The sole method to become sober is to allow time to pass.

Should you suspect that an individual might be experiencing alcohol poisoning, it’s imperative to dial 911 without delay. Delaying medical intervention can result in serious consequences such as brain damage, seizures, and even death. Ignoring severe dehydration resulting from vomiting could also potentially result in a deadly outcome.

Doctors provide fluids in hospitals to reduce BAC, treat dehydration, and address low blood sugar levels for patients. They help with breathing problems and empty the stomach to remove toxins from the body.

Alcohol Abuse Treatment at Northridge Addiction Treatment Center

Alcohol overdoses often correlate with alcohol use disorder or alcoholism. If you or someone you care about is struggling with alcohol abuse, Northridge Addiction Treatment Center (NATC) is here to help. Our only goal is to provide you or your loved one with practical tools and strategies to build a solid foundation of sustainable recovery with effective, compassionate care.

To learn more about our comprehensive, evidence-based treatment programs, contact NATC today.