Alcohol poisoning is a dangerous medical emergency that can turn deadly within minutes. Many people underestimate how quickly alcohol affects the body, especially when drinking large amounts in a short time. The toxins build faster than the body can process them, which slows vital functions and can stop breathing. Knowing the signs of alcohol poisoning helps people act quickly and can save a life. When symptoms appear, immediate medical care is the only safe option.
Alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream faster than the body can eliminate large amounts. Absorption can continue after drinking stops. Elimination varies, so drink counts or an hourly clearance estimate cannot establish when someone is safe or rule out poisoning.
Multiple factors tend to play a role in determining the alcohol consumption in a person, such as:
- Gender
- Tolerance level
- Weight
There is no fixed number of drinks that reliably predicts poisoning. Risk depends on the amount and speed of drinking, health, body size, food intake and other substances. A standard drink is defined differently between countries; in the United States it contains 14 grams of pure alcohol, approximately:
- 12 ounces of beer
- Five fluid ounces of wine
- One and one-half fluid ounces of hard liquor
Call emergency services immediately if someone is difficult to wake, confused, repeatedly vomiting, having a seizure, breathing slowly or irregularly, or has pale, blue-tinged or clammy skin. Do not wait for all signs or a blood-alcohol test. The broad BAC ranges below describe possible impairment, not safe or lethal thresholds; dangerous poisoning can occur at lower concentrations, particularly with other drugs.
Between 0.0 and 0.05%
At this level, alcohol starts triggering mild impairment in the body. Symptoms at this stage typically include some difficulty in remembering and speaking things. The individual may feel clumsy and a little sleepy.
Between 0.06 and 0.15%
At this level of BAC, an individual experiences increased impairment with worsening symptoms that significantly impact their driving skills.
Between 0.16 and 0.30%
At this level, alcohol starts impairing an individual’s decision-making skills and judgment. They may also suffer from frequent episodes of vomiting and blackouts.
Between 0.31 and 0.45%
Very high BAC is associated with a major risk of coma, suppressed breathing and death. However, serious poisoning and death can occur below this range. Symptoms and circumstances determine the need for emergency help, not a threshold number.
Suspected alcohol poisoning requires emergency medical assessment and supportive treatment. Call 112 in Spain or elsewhere in the EU, 999 in the UK, or your local emergency number. Stay with the person, monitor breathing and follow the dispatcher’s instructions. There is no home remedy that rapidly reverses poisoning.
Following are some elements of alcohol poisoning treatment in hospital:
IV fluids
Once the victim arises in the hospital, a medical professional may start them on intravenous fluids to replace the fluids they lost from excessive vomiting. Additionally, they may aim to balance any electrolyte disruptions due to excessive consumption of alcohol.
Oxygen
A healthcare provider may administer oxygen to provide respiratory support, especially if a person is experiencing slowed or irregular breathing.
Blood Pressure Medication
Medicine can be prescribed to regulate and fix any dips in blood pressure.
Airway protection and monitoring
Clinicians monitor breathing, circulation, temperature and blood glucose and assess for injuries or other drugs. Some patients need airway support or assisted ventilation. Stomach pumping is not routine treatment for drinking-alcohol poisoning because alcohol is rapidly absorbed and the procedure carries risks.
Blood Filtration
Dialysis is not routine for ordinary alcohol intoxication. Specialists may consider it in exceptional severe cases; it also has an important role in selected toxic-alcohol poisonings, such as methanol or ethylene glycol, which require a different emergency treatment pathway.
Anti-Seizure Medication
If the person is experiencing fits, a short-term anticonvulsant or anti-seizure medication might be used to stop them.
Recovery time varies with severity, complications and other substances. Hospital monitoring may be required until the person is medically stable. Persistent confusion, vomiting or breathing problems must not be dismissed as a hangover.
As a part of alcohol poisoning treatment, a healthcare provider may counsel the victim to seek help for their excessive alcohol use from a mental health professional. These mental health professionals can also provide treatment for co-occurring disorders, such as depression and anxiety if any.
A person with suspected alcohol poisoning cannot safely sleep it off. Call the local emergency number immediately and follow the dispatcher’s advice while waiting:
Check whether the person responds and is breathing normally. If they are unresponsive and not breathing normally, begin CPR as directed by the emergency dispatcher and use an AED if available.
- Keep them in a sitting position if they are conscious
- Keep them away from any drugs or alcohol
- If unconscious but breathing normally, place them in the recovery position on their side and continue checking breathing.
- Stay with the individual until help arrives
As soon as the paramedics arrive, be prepared to inform them whatever you can about the person. It might help to describe how much the individual drank and what they had been doing since you called them.
Alcohol poisoning cannot be treated safely at home. The following measures are first aid while emergency help is on the way; do not give food or drink to someone who is drowsy, unconscious or cannot swallow safely:
Never leave them alone to sleep it off.
The amount of alcohol in an individual’s body may continue to rise even if they have stopped drinking as their gut might continue absorbing alcohol. So do not let them sleep on their symptoms, as excessive alcohol may stop their breathing as they sleep without any warning signs.
Don’t give them coffee.
Coffee does not reverse alcohol poisoning or make someone safe to drive. Do not use coffee or caffeine as a treatment; they can mask sleepiness without reversing impaired judgment or dangerous effects on breathing.
Stop them from intentionally vomiting.
Another common misconception that people have regarding alcohol poisoning treatment is that self-induced vomiting can make it better. However, in people with severe intoxication, the gag reflex might be compromised, which can make them choke on their vomit.
Do not let them walk around.
As a depressant, excessive alcohol in the body can slow down the brain’s functions while negatively affecting the body’s balance. Walking an intoxicated person around in such a situation may lead to accidents.
Avoid putting them in a cold shower.
Do not put the person in a cold shower or bath: this can cause hypothermia, falls or drowning. Keep them warm and monitor breathing while waiting for emergency help. If unconscious but breathing normally, use the recovery position; if not breathing normally, follow the dispatcher’s CPR instructions.
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