Alcohol Poisoning: The Dangers of Binge and Heavy Drinking

When you think about spending the night out on the town, you probably picture having drinks with friends, maybe bar hopping, or playing drinking games at a house party. What you don’t picture happening is experiencing alcohol poisoning, but for many, this becomes their outcome.

Between 2020 and 2021, over 19,000 Californians died due to excessive alcohol use. This included acute causes such as motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and alcohol poisoning.

Let’s talk about alcohol poisoning and what to do if someone you know is experiencing it.

Understanding Alcohol Poisoning: What You Need to Know

Alcohol is one of the most commonly consumed substances, with over 177 million U.S. residents reporting drinking in 2023. Some are drawn to alcohol because of the short-term feelings it may produce, such as relaxation and euphoria. However, when too much alcohol is consumed, it leads to alcohol poisoning.

Alcohol poisoning is the result of binge drinking and/or heavy drinking. Binge drinking is defined as males consuming five or more drinks and females consuming four or more drinks in under two hours. When this happens, blood alcohol content (BAC) rises quickly, leading to a .08 or higher concentration. At these levels, alcohol causes significant impairment to the brain and central nervous system, and further drinking will lead to alcohol poisoning.

Alcohol Poisoning Warning Signs

Alcohol poisoning symptoms often imitate intoxication. However, there are key signs to look for when determining the difference between the two, including:

• Confusion
• Vomiting
• Breathing changes, such as too few breaths or too much time between breaths
• Seizures
• Lack of coordination
• Inability to control bladder functions
• Losing consciousness

Consuming a lot of alcohol also causes disruptions in temperature regulation. If the person is in a crowded room or a heated building, they may experience hyperthermia. The same is true if they are in a cold environment–leading to hypothermia. These temperature changes exacerbate the symptoms of alcohol poisoning.

How Alcohol Poisoning Is Diagnosed

The above symptoms are a key sign that alcohol poisoning is present, though not all of them need to be experienced to confirm the diagnosis. Seeing a friend or loved one consume multiple drinks in a short period of time should put you on alert. If you see them begin to have difficulties standing or are falling in and out of consciousness, it is best to be safe than sorry. Alcohol poisoning is a serious and life-threatening condition when left untreated.

The Hidden Dangers of Alcohol Overdose

Alcohol slows the central nervous system, which is responsible for breathing, temperature, and heart rate regulation. When the body becomes overwhelmed with the amount of alcohol taken in, these processes begin to slow dangerously. Breathing can stop, causing oxygen to no longer be taken in. Organs can’t function to their full capacity, risking damage and failure.

If breathing is not restored within a timely manner, the brain can become permanently damaged, or the person could lose their life. This is why it is imperative to seek medical attention if you suspect alcohol poisoning.

What to Do in an Alcohol Poisoning Emergency

As with any emergency situation, the most important first step is to remain calm. Get the person away from people and to a quiet, safe place. Call 911 and inform them of the situation. Stay with the person and try to keep them conscious. If they are vomiting, make sure they are in a position where they can expel everything outward. For example, lying on their back could result in choking. Therefore, try to keep them sitting up or lying on their side.

Once medical help arrives, be honest about how much alcohol the person has consumed. Also, disclose if they have been mixing substances or if you know they are on any medications. This will give the first responders a clear idea of how to move forward with the treatment process and how they can inform the care team at the medical facility.

Treatment Options for Alcohol Poisoning

Medical professionals will begin treating alcohol poisoning. This can include any of the following:

• Fluids: Alcohol causes dehydration, which reduces the function of the liver and kidneys. Through an IV, the care team gives fluids to rehydrate the body.
• Giving oxygen: To help regulate breathing, oxygen may be given through tubing or intubation if the person is having difficulties breathing on their own.
• Dialysis: If the kidneys are not functioning properly, a process called dialysis will be implemented. This helps the kidneys filter the blood and detoxify it from alcohol.
• Stomach pumping: The contents of the stomach are removed through tubing to help clear it of alcohol.

The doctors and medical professionals will take a detailed history before starting treatments. This will include a blood draw to test for alcohol levels and the presence of other substances or medications. Though the process may be uncomfortable, treating alcohol poisoning is life-saving.

There are many old wives' tales of ways to get alcohol out of your system faster. However, these are not true. Drinking coffee or caffeine will increase the workload of the kidneys, furthering the risk of damage. A cold shower – though exhilarating – will not help the body detoxify quicker. If you suspect alcohol poisoning, never attempt to have the person “sleep it off.” This puts them at risk of stopping breathing or vomiting in their sleep and choking.

Simple Steps to Prevent Alcohol Overdose

The only surefire way to prevent an alcohol overdose is to abstain from drinking. However, this is not always feasible for everyone. If you know you plan on consuming alcohol, be prepared and implement these strategies before drinking:

• Eat a meal or snack: Alcohol is absorbed mostly through the lining of the stomach and small intestine. Eating a meal or snack puts a barrier of food between these linings, slowing the intoxication process.
• Hydrate: Drinking plenty of water before and during drinking will lessen the likelihood of alcohol poisoning. Having a glass of water between drinks will help your liver and kidneys keep up with detoxifying the body.
• Avoid drinking quickly: Taking multiple shots with friends may seem like a good idea at the time, but the chances of alcohol poisoning rise significantly. Space your drinks out over the evening and have less than four or five every two hours.
• Don’t mix substances: Drinking alcohol while taking other substances increases the risk of alcohol poisoning or an accidental overdose. This also means avoiding drinking while taking certain medications. Always check your prescriptions and see if alcohol causes interference with them.

Getting Help for Alcohol Use Disorder in San Diego, CA

Experiencing alcohol poisoning does not necessarily indicate an alcohol use disorder, but if you find yourself unable to quit drinking despite this, help is available today. When you enter alcohol rehab, you will be met with a compassionate care team and be surrounded by fellow peers. You will have individual and group therapy sessions that give you insight into yourself and where your drinking stemmed from. Skill-building classes will aid you in coping skill development and relearning life skills. Alcohol doesn’t have to have you in its grip forever – take the leap to leave it behind for good.