Alcohol Poisoning Symptoms

It is no secret that we would never knowingly ingest cyanide or arsenic. We associate them with their toxic effects and see them as poisons that we would never put in our bodies. However, alcohol is something that many people ingest on a regular basis with no such association.

Alcohol is often associated with relaxation, loss of inhibition, and having an enjoyable time. Very few people are aware of the fact that alcohol poisoning is a real concern and that it has its own toxic effects.

The ethyl alcohol found in alcoholic beverages is processed in the body by the liver and, over time, is excreted as a waste product by the kidneys, but the liver has its limits. The liver can process approximately one drink an hour. Anything more than that remains in the blood, affecting a person’s blood alcohol content (BAC), and can have devastating consequences. At Quit Alcohol, we acknowledge that alcohol poisoning is devastating, and being able to point out the symptoms can prevent tragedy.

Blood Alcohol Concentration

We tend to begin to feel the effects of alcohol when we reach a level of .020 BAC. The average 150-pound person does this by drinking a little over one drink per hour. We begin to feel relaxed and less inhibited with a BAC of .040, which can occur for that same 150-pound person when drinking a little more than two drinks per hour. As soon as we hit .060, our judgment is usually noticeably impaired, and by .080, our reaction times and muscle coordination are impaired as well.

In most states, .080 is the legal intoxication level, and you may even start to feel the effects of alcohol poisoning at this level. This level of intoxication can be accomplished with as little as four drinks an hour for some people. BAC is not just affected by drinks per hour and liver metabolism; it also depends on the drinker’s size, health, and prior food intake. While it can be quite simple to memorize a simple calculation based on all these factors and monitor your drinking throughout the night using this calculation, there is a basic rule of thumb to avoid drinking excessively. It is generally a good idea to stick to one alcoholic drink per hour and to drink water in between.

We are dedicated to being your trusted source to find substance abuse treatment and avoid alcohol poisoning.

How Much is One Drink?

It’s important to clarify how much alcohol is considered one alcoholic drink and key definitions regarding alcohol consumption.

A “single drink” refers to specific amounts of different alcohol types:

• 12 oz. of beer
• 5 oz. of wine
• 8 oz. of malt liquor
• 1.5 oz. of hard liquor.
• Alcohol poisoning, or toxicity, is typically defined as a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .100 or higher.

As the amount of alcohol consumption brings blood alcohol concentration up, people experience significant impairment in reaction time and motor control, with vomiting often occurring. As BAC increases, alcohol poisoning may occur, and it may cause you to lose consciousness or cause more severe symptoms like respiratory failure. A BAC of .450 is generally considered fatal. While estimates suggest consuming 20 beers, one bottle of wine, or 20 shots within an hour could reach this level, individual factors such as metabolism, health, and tolerance can greatly affect the outcome.

Signs of Alcohol Overdose

You would think that something like alcohol poisoning would be pretty rare since most people drink to have a good time and escape their problems. Statistics show that there are over 2,200 deaths from alcohol poisoning in America each year. These alcohol-related deaths occur at an average rate of about 6 per day. That doesn’t include the many survivors who suffer from many negative side-effects of alcohol overdose, some of which can affect vital functions, whether it be liver disease, kidney disease, or brain damage.

How do you know if you or a friend is suffering from alcohol poisoning?

Signs to look for include:

• Confusion
• Vomiting
• Seizures
• Slow or irregular breathing
• Pale skin (sometimes a blue tinge to the skin)
• Low body temperature
• Loss of consciousness.

Many of these signs are associated with nights spent out drinking, with alcoholic beverages flowing, and are often overlooked as the natural side-effects for someone who can’t hold their liquor. Look for severe signs and symptoms like slow breathing (fewer than eight breaths per minute) and difficulty remaining conscious. The truth of the matter is that alcohol poisoning is actually occurring in these situations.

What To Do if Alcohol Poisoning Occurs

When faced with a potential case of alcohol poisoning, quick action is crucial to prevent serious harm or even death. Recognizing the signs and knowing how to respond can make all the difference in ensuring the individual’s safety. Here’s what to consider if you suspect someone is suffering from alcohol poisoning.

First, Call 911

You or your friend might need to be rushed to the hospital to treat alcohol poisoning, and you may have to have your stomach pumped.

Stay With the Drinker

After the call to medical professionals is made, stay with the drinker, never leave them alone, keep them warm, and put them in a recovery position by forcing them onto their side (if you can’t keep them sitting or standing up) if they are vomiting to prevent choking.

Keep the Person Awake

Do your best to keep the drinker awake and conscious. DO NOT try to force them to sober up by forcing them to ingest caffeine or by putting them in a cold shower. Keep them hydrated with water.

Who is this Happening to?

We tend to associate alcohol poisoning with young, immature high-school and college-age binge drinkers who take part in excessive alcohol consumption, and while they do represent a sizable percentage of the people who suffer from alcohol poisoning, there are also some surprising populations affected as well. The majority of deaths from alcohol poisoning actually occur in middle-aged men.

Binge drinking is defined as drinking more than 4-5 drinks or more an hour. While we do see a lot of binge drinking among younger drinkers, we tend to see it less frequently; in addition, these young people are often in better health and are often able to drink alcohol in higher amounts.

The CDC reports that most people who binge drink are not alcoholics. However, one of their recent studies found that two-thirds of those who reported binge drinking reported doing so ten or more times a month.

Although statistics show that overall underage drinking is on a decline, and many credit the multiple alcohol and drug education programs for this decline, there are a few things you need to remember about published statistics.

Statistical Interpretation (Stats can lie.)

First, many statistical data collection procedures include self-reports and rely on participants telling the truth. While people may have various reasons for lying about their drinking behavior despite the promise of anonymity, we are forced to assume their truthfulness.

Another issue is the fact that drinking, even excessive drinking, seems to have been normalized in our society. Unless someone gets sick with alcohol poisoning, dies, or breaks the law, their drinking habits may never come to light at all.

Thirdly, as I tell my students in school repeatedly, the data collected in research studies is really only representative of those people who participate in research studies, and we should be careful when generalizing or extrapolating from that data.

Preventing Alcohol Poisoning and Binge Drinking

Alcohol poisoning is not just a concern for bartenders or party hosts; it affects everyone who consumes alcohol, especially those engaging in binge drinking. Many tragic cases of alcohol poisoning could have been prevented with timely assistance, highlighting a gap in public awareness about the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption. Bartenders may be trained to spot signs of intoxication, but individuals drinking at home or with friends often lack this oversight, putting themselves at greater risk for alcohol poisoning.

It’s essential for anyone consuming alcohol to understand its potential effects. Moderation should always be encouraged, and serving drinks to already intoxicated individuals should be avoided. While many are aware of the dangers of drunk driving, alcohol poisoning itself can be fatal.

Unlike other toxic substances that come with clear warnings, alcohol is often glamorized, masking its potential danger as a powerful sedative. Without proper planning or moderation, a night out can result in alcohol intoxication, leading to severe health risks, including death from alcohol poisoning.

Real-Life Cases

Timothy Piazza

There is no doubt what Timothy Piazza, a Penn State University sophomore and Beta Theta Pi fraternity pledge, thought while surrounded by classmates and friends he performed a drinking ritual known by the fraternity as “the gauntlet”. When Piazza was unable to stand and subsequently fell down the basement stairs of the fraternity house, his alcohol poisoning and behavior was ignored by some, received with irritation by others and treated with panic by yet others.

He was left alone at the bottom of the steps for several hours and later carried upstairs, tossed on a couch, slapped, and splashed with water in an attempt to wake him. Eventually, despite criticism from others, one fraternity brother called for help, but it was later learned that this was not until after attempts to cover up the night’s activities and the fraternity’s possible negligence. Timothy was later pronounced dead at a local hospital from alcohol poisoning.

David Waugman

Likewise, a man by the name of David Waugman, while in a popular hotel bar believed he was in the hands of professional clientele. Waugman got visibly intoxicated and was reported by witnesses to have fallen off of his stool, lost consciousness and injured himself in the fall. Waugman while admitting he chose to drink, also accepted the reality that with each drink his judgement became more impaired and he counted on bar staff to know when/if he was intoxicated and to stop serving him accordingly. He wound up suing the bar claiming the staff was reckless, careless and negligent in continuing to serve him and causing his alcohol poisoning.

Reach Out For Help Today

If you or a loved one are ready to overcome drug or alcohol abuse and prevent alcohol poisoning, our addiction specialists are here to guide you through every step. Many of our dedicated staff members are in long-term recovery themselves and understand firsthand the challenges of the recovery journey. This personal experience, combined with our professional expertise, allows us to offer compassionate, effective support tailored to your unique needs. Reach out to Quit Alcohol today to find a treatment solution that works for you.