Alcohol overdose, or alcohol poisoning, is a critical situation and emergency treatment is required. Overdose can lead to a coma or death occurring. Alcohol poisoning happens when a person consumes more alcohol than the body is able to metabolize in a specific time period. Symptoms include decreased and shallow respirations, unconsciousness, vomiting and clammy skin. The Mayo Clinic reports the most common cause of alcohol overdose is binge drinking---drinking five or more drinks in rapid succession. A person suffering from alcohol overdose should never be left alone; the condition cannot be simply "slept off."
Supportive Care
Careful monitoring of a patient is required because alcohol overdose can be deadly. Cessation of respirations may require endotracheal intubation or mechanical ventilation, suggests the Merck Manual. A gastric lavage is common if methanol or isopropyl was ingested; a tube is inserted into the nose and continued to the stomach---fluids are released to wash the stomach. Oxygen therapy is often required for additional assistance and comfort. Vital signs and oxygen blood levels are monitored continuously. The patient is watched for vomiting and signs of gagging or choking. Supportive care generally lasts 24 hours.
Airway Protection
A person suffering from alcohol overdose should be sitting upright and never flat on his back; he may choke and gag if vomiting occurs. Aspirating, or inhaling, vomit into the lungs can be fatal. If the person refuses to sit up, try to help him lie on the left or right side. Cessation of respirations may require endotracheal intubation or mechanical ventilation reports, suggests the Merck Manual.
IV Therapy or Dialysis
Intravenous, or IV, therapy is administered. A small catheter is placed into a patient's vein and fluids are injected into the body to increase hydration. The body may be severely dehydrated due to the great amount of alcohol ingested. IV fluids also are necessary if low blood pressure or blood volume is present. The Merck Manual reports IV fluids do not necessarily remove excess alcohol from the body's system. Fluids may also contain additional vitamins and minerals necessary for recovery; thiamine and magnesium are common additives. Some patients may suffer from alcohol poisoning because methanol or isopropyl alcohol was accidentally ingested. Cleansing of the toxins from the body is required via kidney dialysis, according to the Mayo Clinic. The machine filters a patient's bloodstream and removes toxin and waste build up in the body.
