Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol leads to alcohol poisoning. Rapidly consuming five drinks or more in a row is defined as binge drinking and the main reason for alcohol poisoning, according to the Mayo Clinic. Alcohol poisoning symptoms include less than 13 respirations per minute, continuous vomiting, pale and clammy blue skin. Alcohol poisoning causes a person to choke on vomit or the brain's control of the body's respiration to shut down, both of which can result in death. Alcohol poisoning complications can include brain damage.
Medical Attention
Alcohol poisoning requires immediate medical attention. If a person is suspected of alcohol poisoning, emergency medical services or the local poison control center should be contacted. Treatment includes oxygen therapy, intravenous fluids and vitamins to rid the alcohol from the body. If large amounts of methanol or isopropyl alcohol have been consumed, kidney dialysis might be necessary. A person who has alcohol poisoning should remain sitting up while waiting for medical attention. If the person must lie down, the body should be positioned to the left or right to prevent choking on vomit.
What Doesn't Work
Some people believe certain home remedies can treat alcohol poisoning. Drinking strong black coffee or walking it off will not treat alcohol poisoning. Taking a cold shower is not recommended. The Mayo Clinic states the shock of the cold water can cause loss of consciousness. If alcohol poisoning is suspected, the victim should not be allowed to simply sleep off the effects. The person could fall into unconsciousness.
Prevention Tips
Avoiding mixed drinks and punches is recommended by Georgetown University's health education service. The university states it is difficult to determine how much alcohol is in each serving. A person should limit alcohol intake--the body can process one drink per hour. Eating food before and while drinking alcoholic beverages absorbs some alcohol. Drinking water or other nonalcoholic beverages between each alcoholic drink will also decrease the risk of alcohol poisoning. A person should set limits or simply avoid alcohol to prevent both intoxication and alcohol poisoning.
