A casual party can quickly turn into a night of heavy drinking. With beer and liquor flowing, it can be easy to lose track of the number of drinks and become severely drunk. The drunker a person gets, the higher the risk they will drink and drive or have serious health risks. Recognizing the signs of alcohol poisoning is essential and can even help save a life.
If you or a loved one struggles with alcohol abuse, learn to recognize the signs of alcohol poisoning before it is too late. At Northpoint Recovery, our personalized alcohol addiction treatment plans help you break the cycle of addiction Call 208.486.0130 today to get started.
Alcohol Abuse in America
Nearly 16 million adults in America suffer from alcohol abuse or dependence. Additionally, 88,000 people die from alcohol-related causes each year in the United States. This makes alcohol the third leading preventable cause of death in America.
Binge drinking is a severe problem in the U.S., especially among young adults. Binge drinking is defined as four or more drinks for women and five or more drinks for men within two hours.
People who binge drink are more likely to suffer from alcohol poisoning than those who don’t. About half of all hospital visits are due to alcohol abuse. Of these visits, three-quarters are due to binge drinking.
What is Alcohol Poisoning?
Alcohol poisoning occurs when there is so much alcohol in the bloodstream that the person experiences serious health risks. These risks can include slowed breathing, irregular heartbeat, seizures, and even death.
As a person drinks, their blood alcohol level (BAC) rises. Elevated BAC levels will lead to various stages of impairment.
In the first stage, they will feel relaxed, and their judgment, self-control, and coordination are slightly impaired. When their BAC is between 0.09 and 0.25%, they will feel dazed and confused, right on the edge of alcohol poisoning. They will have poor coordination and could suffer from vomiting.
After their BAC exceeds 0.25%, they are at a high risk of passing out and severe consequences of alcohol poisoning. Continuing to drink after reaching this stage could lead to coma or death.
9 Signs of Alcohol Poisoning
Alcohol poisoning carries serious health risks and may require immediate medical attention. Recognizing the signs of alcohol poisoning is vital.
1. Mental Confusion
Heavy drinking can cause a person to become confused and lose their sense of direction and recognition. This can continue into the next day since blackouts, or periods that can’t be remembered, are more likely to occur when poisoned by alcohol.
2. Stupor
Once alcohol poisoning sets in, people may not react to sounds, smells, sights, or touches. It can take considerable effort to get them to respond, even if they are in danger.
3. Alcoholic Coma
A coma resulting from alcohol poisoning requires immediate medical attention. Underlying problems or injuries can easily lead to a coma after a person drinks too much.
4. Vomiting
As the body tries to get rid of the alcohol poisoning the body, a person may vomit repeatedly. Since they may have a hard time moving around or reacting, there is an increased risk of choking on their vomit.
5. Seizures
Alcohol-induced seizures are a medical emergency and have the same common signs as other seizures, including muscled stiffness, convulsion, loss of consciousness, and bowel and bladder control.
6. Slowed Breathing
Heavy drinking affects the amount of nitric oxide in the lungs, which helps to maintain normal breathing. Once a person starts taking less than eight breaths per minute, their breathing is slowed.
7. Irregular Breathing
It can be challenging for someone affected by alcohol poisoning to catch their breath or take regular breaths. Not being able to breathe correctly can be disastrous since they may not be able to get enough oxygen.
8. Hypothermia
Alcohol lowers the body’s core temperature, putting people at risk of hypothermia. Additionally, intoxicated people may feel warm because their blood pressure is elevated.
9. Rash
Since blood vessels are expanded by heavy drinking, many people dealing with alcohol poisoning may develop a rash. Rashes can also stem from an alcohol intolerance or allergy, which can cause extreme itching, stomach problems, and trouble breathing.
Alcohol Addiction Treatment at Northpoint Recovery
The effects of alcohol poisoning can be profound, even deadly. If you struggle to quit drinking, you are at a higher risk of alcohol poisoning. Finding professional help can be the step you need to succeed in breaking your tie to alcohol.
Your treatment plan at Northpoint recovery is tailored to our recovery goals by our professional rehab specialists so you can live a healthy life. Start your journey today by calling us at 208.486.0130.
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