Alcohol Poisoning Symptoms

Alcohol Poisoning Symptoms – What Are The Warning Signs?

As of 2015, the number of alcohol poisoning deaths totaled 2,200 according to the CDC. As many as six people lose their lives because of alcohol poisoning every day in the United States. Recognizing the alcohol poisoning symptoms you can help to avoid being part of alcohol poisoning death stories.

Alcohol poisoning can set on quite suddenly when someone is unable to judge their tolerance properly. In this article, we will look at alcohol poisoning symptoms to help you know when to seek help.

Alcohol Poisoning Effects on the Body

A person’s liver can process roughly one standard drink an hour, or the equivalent of 5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer or 1.5 ounces of spirits. When a person reaches the level of binge drinking – five or more drinks for men and four or more drinks for women within two hours – they risk getting alcohol poisoning.

Binge drinking is especially rampant in college students who are at risk of fraternity hazing deaths. Fraternity hazing deaths are not uncommon as students consume dangerous levels of alcohol.

The effects that alcohol poisoning has on the body are as follows:

• Vomiting caused by stomach irritation.
• Brain function slowed, resulting in several systems in the body being affected including coordination and balance.
• Improper gag reflex, which can cause a person to choke on their vomit.
• Blood sugar levels drops to such an extent that it causes seizures.
• Nerves that control breathing and heart rate become affected, which can lead these to slow down or stop entirely.
• Hypothermia due to a lowered body temperature.
• Severe dehydration, which in some cases can cause brain damage.

Alcohol Poisoning Symptoms

The earlier you’re able to spot the symptoms of alcohol poisoning, the better your chances will be of avoiding being part of alcohol poisoning death stories. Symptoms can come on quite suddenly. If you see the symptoms in a friend or loved one, do not hesitate to get them into emergency care immediately.

The most common alcohol poisoning symptoms are as follows:

• The person’s pulse becomes irregular.
• Vomiting.
• Seizures.
• Breathing becomes depressed, which can lead to a lack of oxygen and organ damage.
• Hypothermia.
• Choking.
• The person can’t stay conscious.
• Bowel and bladder control becomes limited.
• Skin becomes clammy and cold.
• Coordination suffers, making even walking impossible.
• Skin becomes slightly blued, particularly around the fingernails and lips.

These are serious signs and should not be ignored under any circumstance. Seek emergency care immediately if these symptoms are present.

Alcohol Abuse Treatment

Frequent binge drinking can be a serious problem to a person’s health and put them at risk of developing an addiction. Alcohol use disorder, which covers abuse and addiction to alcohol, can be treated by going to a rehabilitation center.

At rehab, a person can be given medications to help with their alcohol withdrawal symptoms. These medications make the experience far safer. After detox, a treatment program should then be entered into to ensure that relapse doesn’t occur. Treatment involves working on issues that may be the cause of the substance abuse such as stress or possible co-occurring mental disorders. Relapse prevention skills are also focused on to give the person alternative responses to trigger situations. These can be as simple as phoning a supportive friend, exercise or yoga to name a few.

Call WhiteSands today at (877) 855-3470 to speak to a professional about alcohol abuse treatment.

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.