Alcohol poisoning

What is it?

Alcohol poisoning, also called alcohol overdose or ethanol toxicity, can be very serious. When a person drinks alcohol quickly, it is hard for the body to process the alcohol as quickly as its being drank. If the body can't process the alcohol, the alcohol can start causing damage to major organs, such as the brain, liver and heart.

If you think someone you know has alcohol poisoning based on the symptoms below, you should get them to a hospital as soon as possible to get them the help that they need.

So, what happens next?

If you have called an ambulance or are taking someone to the hospital yourself, it is important to be watching the person who you think has alochol poisoning at all times. If he or she is unconcious (not responding when you speak to them), you should follow this advice.

1. Put them in the recovery position. You can find a video on how to do this here.

2. Continue to check if they are breathing.

3. Make sure they do not choke on any vomit.

4. Help them hydrate - If the person is able to swallow, give them water to help their body to process the amount of alcohol that's in their system.

5. Warm them up - Alcohol poisoning can also make a person's body temperature drop very low, so cover them with a blanket, jacket, or something else that will provide warmth.

Once the person is getting medical help, a doctor can confirm alcohol poisoning by examining the person's symptoms.

Can alchol poisoning be treated?

A full recovery from alcohol poisoning is very possible. Once in the hospital, the doctors will probably give them fluids through an IV. An IV is a thin tube with a needle on the end that goes into a vein, most likely in the arm. It is possible that the person may receive medication as well through the IV to help stabilize their condition.

If the person's oxygen is low, doctors may provide them extra oxygen, either through their nose or mouth. It is also common to have your stomach pumped if you have alcohol poisoning. There is where a tube is inserted into the stomach to clear out any toxins.

In more severe cases, the medical team may choose to give the person dialysis. This is a process that helps your kidneys to filter waste out of the blood. In alcohol poisoning there is usually quite a lot of alcohol in the blood (you may know this as BAC, or blood alcohol content). So, dialysis can be a very effective treatment to help your kidneys and prevent any further damage to the body.

Preventing it in the future

The best way to prevent alcohol poisoning is to avoid drinking too much alcohol.

However, the level of alcohol that can cause alcohol is different for everyone. It depends on gender, size, and how quickly someone's body can break down the alcohol. While you may not be able to monitor your friends limits as easily, you should know your own limits and drink at a pace that your body is able to handle.

A great trick is to space each drink with a glass of water, that way you are staying hydrated as well as slowing down your alcohol intake.

It is also a good idea to pour your own drinks. When you do this, you will have a better idea of how much alcohol is going into your glass and will be able to better monitor how much you've had to drink. If you choose to drink, do so in moderation and pace yourself.

If someone you know has had too much to drink, do not leave them alone. Help them to hydrate, stay awake, and call for help if needed.