Alcohol is one of the most commonly abused substances among all age groups. Alcohol poisoning or overdose was once thought to be a rare occurrence, but it is now known to happen quite frequently, especially among young adults and teenagers. Alcohol poisoning can be serious, even deadly, and happens when large quantities of alcohol are consumed in a relatively short period of time. According to the Mayo Clinic, binge drinking---rapidly downing five or more drinks in a row---is the main cause of alcohol poisoning. The symptoms of alcohol overdose include vomiting, seizures, confusion, irregular or slow breathing, and unconsciousness.
Get Help
Alcohol overdose is a medical emergency and requires careful and constant monitoring. If an individual displays the symptoms of alcohol poisoning, it is important to call 911 and get professional help. It is not appropriate to take individuals to their homes and put them to bed. Those associated with the intoxicated person should monitor the individual's condition and ensure that breathing is appropriate. Even if it is determined by a medical professional that emergency help is not necessary, the intoxicated person should not be left alone to sleep it off. The person should be woken up frequently, according to UC Davis Health Center. If at any time the person is unable to be awakened, 911 should be called.
Breathing Support
Alcohol poisoning causes slow and labored breathing and is a primary concern for those monitoring the patient. If the person is transported to a hospital, appropriate breathing and airway support can be provided. If the person who has been drinking demonstrates difficulty breathing---fewer than eight breaths per minute or more than 10 seconds between breaths---they are in distress and require immediate help to support their breathing, according to Parent-Teen.com. It is a common misconception that sleeping it off is the best treatment for alcohol overdose, but even once an individual has quit drinking, alcohol levels continue to rise in the blood and a person can go from sleeping to unconscious, falling into breathing distress without anyone realizing it.
Medical Support
Treatment in a hospital setting is mostly supportive in nature. Airways will be maintained and oxygen provided if breathing is labored and difficult. It is also imperative to maintain the airway for an unconscious or heavily sedated patient in case they vomit. One common cause of death in alcohol poisoning is when individuals choke on their own vomit because they are unconscious when it happens. Patients will also likely have intravenous fluids provided to prevent dehydration. According to Alcohol-Information.com, alcohol overdose patients in a hospital may have their stomach pumped---a procedure known as gastric lavage---in an effort to remove any further alcohol from the system.
