What is an Alcoholic Coma?

The detrimental effects of alcohol abuse on health are well known, including the risk of liver disease, heart disease, and alcohol use disorder. While moderate drinking isn’t considered too dangerous, excessive consumption poses numerous serious and potentially fatal dangers. The short-term effects of alcohol abuse can include vomiting, strained breathing, losing consciousness, and alcohol poisoning, which can lead to an alcoholic coma or even death. An alcoholic coma is a critical medical condition characterized by a significant impairment of the brain’s arousal system, leading to a prolonged state of unconsciousness and unresponsiveness. Alcohol coma symptoms, as noted by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, include:

• Mental confusion
• Difficulty staying awake
• Trouble breathing
• Slowed heart rate
• Clammy skin
• Vomiting
• Reduced reflexes, including a lack of gag reflex that can cause choking on vomit
• Extremely low body temperature
• Seizures

Experiencing an alcohol overdose, particularly one that results in a coma, can lead to severe long-term health consequences, such as brain damage and death. Other potential complications include organ failure, cardiovascular issues that may lead to chronic heart conditions, cognitive deficits, memory problems, and persistent psychological disorders. The duration of a coma can vary significantly; while some individuals may regain consciousness after a day or two, others might remain in a coma for years or even for the rest of their lives.

What Causes Coma in Alcoholics?

Alcohol coma symptoms usually arise from consuming a dangerous amount of alcohol, often referred to as an overdose. This condition can also occur when alcohol is mixed with other substances, such as opioids or cocaine. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism explains that an alcohol overdose happens when the alcohol concentration in the bloodstream becomes so high that it disrupts the brain’s ability to manage essential life functions, including breathing, heart rate, and temperature regulation. Excessive drinking can trigger signs of alcohol poisoning, which may cause breathing and heart rates to cease. When the brain lacks oxygen, the individual may lose consciousness and become unresponsive, resulting in the death of brain cells. This situation can lead to a coma, as the brain cannot respond or regain alertness until it heals by regenerating and reconnecting the damaged neurons.

 

What Drugs Can Cause a Coma?

While alcohol poisoning is the most common cause of drug-induced coma, there are several other medications and illicit substances that can lead to one, too. Access Medicine highlights that large doses of antihistamines, benzodiazepines, sedative-hypnotics, antipsychotics, antidepressants, alcohol, and opioids are frequently linked to coma. The danger escalates with polysubstance use, especially when combining alcohol with opioids, as both are central nervous system depressants. This combination can amplify the effects of the other when taken together, increasing the risk of overdose. It’s crucial to understand that any drug overdose can lead to coma, as it can lead to respiratory failure and cardiac arrest.

How Long Does a Coma From a Drug Overdose Last?

Each individual’s experience with a drug overdose can vary significantly.  The severity of an overdose and the associated risk of coma depend on various factors, including the individual’s health, the quantity of drugs consumed, and the promptness of medical intervention. For instance, a person suffering from mild alcohol poisoning might only require a stomach pump and could be discharged the following day with a severe hangover. Conversely, someone who ingests a dangerous batch of drugs could slip into a coma, with the potential for that state to last for days, weeks, months, or even indefinitely if they do not regain consciousness. Tragically, some overdoses can also result in death.

It is important to note that the long-term effects of alcohol or drug abuse are not over once a person wakes up from a coma. An overdose can inflict lasting damage, especially to the brain. During an overdose, a person’s breathing may slow or cease altogether, depriving the brain of oxygen and potentially causing hypoxic brain injury. The longer the brain is deprived of oxygen, the greater the risk of severe damage. This type of injury can lead to seizures, coma, or even death. If the individual does regain consciousness, they may face mild to moderate impairments in movement, coordination, hearing, vision, speech, concentration, memory, or a combination of these functions. There is also a risk of entering a permanent vegetative state.

Additionally, an overdose can have profound emotional and psychological effects. Surviving a near-fatal overdose can trigger the onset of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. These mental health challenges can, in turn, increase the likelihood of substance abuse as individuals may seek to self-medicate to cope with their symptoms.

 

How Do You Prevent Alcohol Coma?

To avoid the risk of alcohol coma symptoms, it is crucial to limit alcohol consumption. The liver can process one standard drink of alcohol each hour, which translates to 12 ounces of beer, five ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of spirits. Consuming large quantities of alcohol in a short period, known as binge drinking, can result in alcohol poisoning. For men, binge drinking is defined as having five or more drinks, while for women, it’s four or more drinks within approximately two hours. The consequences of binge drinking can be severe, leading to unconsciousness, respiratory issues, vomiting, blackouts, and even coma. Eastern Washington University offers several strategies to help prevent alcohol poisoning that could result in an alcohol coma:

• Sip your drinks instead of chugging and alternate with non-alcoholic beverages.
• Limit yourself to one drink per hour.
• Have a meal before you start drinking, as food slows the absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream.
• Steer clear of combining alcohol with other substances, including both prescription and over-the-counter medications.
• Avoid drinking games that promote rapid ingestion of alcohol.

Avoid Alcohol Coma Symptoms by Contacting WhiteSands Treatment

If you find yourself drinking more than you intended and cannot seem to get a handle on your drinking habits, WhiteSands Treatment in Florida can help you gain control back through one of our comprehensive treatment programs. Engaging in binge drinking puts you at risk for several health risks, including alcohol poisoning and alcohol coma symptoms. A key indicator of alcohol use disorder is the tendency to drink more than intended or the inability to stop once you start, often leading to binge drinking patterns. Alcohol use disorders are progressive and typically begin with frequent binge episodes, potentially escalating into a full-blown addiction. Seeking help promptly can prevent the worsening of these disorders and the need for more intensive inpatient care.

Many people believe that addiction treatment centers cater only to those with severe alcohol use disorders, but our programs are tailored to address the unique needs of each individual, making them beneficial for anyone struggling to control their drinking. WhiteSands provides evidence-based therapies, 12-step programming, medication management, and aftercare services to address all levels of alcohol use disorders. Our approach goes beyond merely treating the symptoms of alcoholism by uncovering the root causes of addiction and helping patients understand the s behind their substance use disorder. Additionally, our dual diagnosis program treats co-occurring mental health disorders, which may be drivers for binge drinking and alcohol addiction.

If you or someone you care about is facing challenges with alcohol, reach out to WhiteSands Treatment by calling 877-855-3470 today. Our admissions counselors are ready to discuss your treatment program options.

External Sources

• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism – Understanding the Dangers of Alcohol Overdose 
• Access Medicine – Poisoning or Overdose-Related Coma 
• Eastern Washington University – Alcohol Poisoning Prevention 

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.