Health Topics: Alcohol Overdose National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism NIAAA

It can increase alcohol’s effects, such as extreme drowsiness, overdose, and other harmful consequences. Alcohol overdose is a severe and what is Oxford House potentially life-threatening condition. It happens when you consume a large amount of alcohol quickly, leading to alcohol poisoning. The best thing you can do to help someone with alcohol poisoning is to call 911 immediately. While waiting for emergency services to arrive, do not leave this person alone, even if they are still conscious.

What Does It Mean To Have a Substance Abuse Problem?

Alcohol poisoning occurs when a person’s blood alcohol level is so high it becomes toxic. This typically occurs when people consume excessive amounts of alcohol in a short space of time. It has dangerous short-term effects, and can even be life-threatening. Repeated alcohol overdoses can cause addiction, organ damage, and other serious health problems. Data shows that every time you have a drink, your blood alcohol levels increase quickly,8 peaking about an hour later. But that’s true for every drink you have—so if you drink a lot in one night, you could experience several of these peaks in a row.

• Fortunately, there are effective treatments available for alcohol use disorder.
• The average person would have to consume 25 standard drinks to reach 0.40 percent BAC.
• In some instances, an alcohol overdose can lead to permanent health consequences, including brain damage from lack of oxygen or severe dehydration.

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However, there are ways to prevent yourself from getting into a position where your life might be at risk. Even when it’s alcohol overdose not fatal, alcohol can cause some unpleasant — and sometimes dangerous — symptoms. Someone experiencing an overdose won’t necessarily have all these symptoms, but if they’re breathing is slowed or you can’t wake them up, it’s time to call 911 and stay with them until help arrives.

Private outpatient treatment

While one episode of alcohol overdose may seem like no big deal, this pattern can quickly spiral out of control. If you’re not feeling well, or you haven’t eaten all day, your alcohol tolerance might be lower than usual. There’s no need to “keep up with” the people around you if they’re drinking more heavily.

Keep reading to learn more about the critical signs and symptoms of alcohol poisoning, immediate actions to take if someone is suffering and the importance of medical intervention. Excessive alcohol consumption irritates the stomach lining, leading to nausea and vomiting. This is dangerous because an intoxicated person can choke on their vomit if their gag reflex is impaired.

How is an alcohol overdose treated?

That said, it’s worth knowing your body’s limits and what to look for if alcohol poisoning is a worry. Dehydration is another concern, as alcohol impairs the body’s ability to retain water, leading to severe fluid loss. Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is also common, which can result in confusion, seizures, and loss of consciousness. When ethanol toxicity is suspected, quick action is vital to prevent serious harm or death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are 2,200 alcohol poisoning deaths in the United States each year. If a person suspects someone has alcohol poisoning they should call an ambulance.

Alcohol Use and Your Health

Children who get into alcohol are at a higher risk of alcohol poisoning, as a smaller amount of alcohol can have a greater effect. Those who use alcohol heavily may have a greater tolerance for alcohol, reducing their risk. However, this increases their risk after a period of sobriety because using a similar amount of alcohol after tolerance is lost can increase the risk of alcohol poisoning. Generally, once your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.40 percent or over, it’s dangerous territory. If an individual becomes unresponsive and cannot be awakened, it’s a critical emergency. Immediate medical attention is necessary to prevent long-term damage or death.

Treatment / Management

• Your height and weight determine how quickly your body absorbs alcohol.
• The Recovery Village at Palmer Lake offers comprehensive addiction treatment for drug and alcohol addictions and co-occurring mental health conditions.
• The person may not be able to stand up, may stagger when walking, and will likely be extremely confused about what’s going on.
• It’s important to pace yourself and avoid binge drinking, which is defined as consuming excessive amounts of alcohol in a short period.

The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper offers comprehensive treatment programs that address the physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of addiction. If you experience an overdose, your doctor will ask you about your drinking habits and health history. Your doctor may also perform additional tests, such as blood tests (to determine your blood alcohol and glucose levels) and urine tests. Your height and weight determine how quickly your body absorbs alcohol.