1. Alcohol Poisoning is an Overdose of Alcohol
Heavy drinking can lead to excessive amounts of alcohol in the blood, also known as a high blood alcohol content (BAC), which can cause the central nervous system to slow down. The higher your BAC, the more your body will be affected by the alcohol you ingested. The amount of alcohol that causes alcohol poisoning varies from person to person based on a range of factors, such as gender, weight, genetics, amount of food in the stomach and how quickly the alcohol is consumed. Rapid drinking, which often occurs during drinking games or in response to a bet, can be especially dangerous because severe (and possibly deadly) poisoning may occur before a person passes out.
2. Take All and Any Signs Seriously
Signs and symptoms that a person is experiencing alcohol poisoning include mental confusion, unconsciousness, coma, slow or irregular breathing, hypothermia (cold, pale or bluish skin caused by low body temperature), and vomiting while unconscious or sleeping. You might observe one or all of these symptoms in a person who is suffering from an overdose of alcohol. Any one of these signs can be an indication of alcohol poisoning and should never be ignored.
3. Call for Help if a Person Exhibits Any Signs
Over drinking can cause serious and irreversible damage. Drinking coffee, taking a cold shower or bath or walking will not reverse the effects. A person who consumed too much alcohol will not just "sleep it off." If you think a friend may have drunk too much, call her name, pinch her skin and see if she wakes up. If she does not respond or exhibits any other signs of alcohol poisoning, immediately call 911. Don't worry about a friend becoming angry with you for calling for help. It is always better to be careful than risk permanent damage or worse.
4. Ignoring Symptoms Can Be Deadly
Vomiting can cause choking or severe dehydration, which may lead to seizures, brain damage or death. Breathing and heart beats can slow and eventually stop. Excessive amounts of alcohol can also cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or hypothermia. Even if these conditions don't kill, they can cause permanent harm to a person's brain and body.
5. You Can Help While Waiting for Professionals to Arrive
Stick around! After calling 911, wait with the person until help arrives. In order to prevent the person from choking, turn him to his side and place a pillow under the small of his back to prevent him from rolling back over. Once health professionals are present, tell them the quantity of alcohol that was drunk. Never leave someone alone who might have alcohol poisoning.
