Alcohol & Substance Abuse Awareness and Prevention Project

ALCOHOL POISONING: A MEDICAL EMERGENCY

An average of 4,000 Americans die from alcohol poisoning each year by drinking a large amount of alcohol in a short time.

Alcohol poisoning is a potential risk for anyone who drinks too much alcohol. Because it is a central nervous system depressant, too much of it can sedate the brain to a point where breathing and heartbeat stop. The amount of alcohol that it takes to produce unconsciousness is dangerously close to a fatal dose. People who survive alcohol poisoning sometimes suffer irreversible brain damage.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

• Unconsciousness or semiconsciousness - person cannot be aroused
• Slow respirations of eight or less per minute, or lapses between respirations of more than eight second
• Cold, clammy, pale or bluish skin
  

APPROPRIATE ACTION: GET MEDICAL HELP IMMEDIATELY

• While waiting, turn the person on his/her side to prevent choking should the person vomit.
• Stay with the person until medical help arrives.
  

WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONE IS DRUNK

• Keep the person still and comfortable. Approach the person calmly and carefully.
• Drunks can be unpredictable and violent.
• Stay with the person who is vomiting. If lying down, turn him/her to the side to avoid choking.
• Monitor the person's breathing. If any signs of alcohol poisoning appear, get immediate medical help.
• Don't try to walk or exercise the person. Unnecessary movement might cause her/him to fall or faint, resulting in injury.
• Don't try to sober the person up with food or liquids. This might induce vomiting and result in choking. The only thing that will sober a drunk person is time.
• Don't give the person a cold shower- the shock may cause him/her to pass out, with resulting injury.
  

"SLEEPING IT OFF"

It is important to understand that even though an intoxicated person may appear to be "sleeping it off," alcohol already in the stomach may continue to enter the bloodstream and circulate throughout the body. The person's life may be in danger. Place the person on his/her side and help maintain this position by placing pillows or rolled up blanket behind them. Monitor closely for signs of alcohol poisoning and get medical help if any appear.

References:

The college student's Health Guide. Sandra Smith, Christopher Smith, Los Altos: Westchester Publishing Company, Inc., 1988. Drinking too much too fast can kill you, National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc., brochure.

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The Alcohol and Substance Abuse Awareness and Prevention Project provides a resource for information, assessment, and treatment referral resources for those with personal or family concerns about alcohol or other drug use or abuse. Services include individual screening, treatment referral resources, and short term counseling including lifestyle management strategies to cope with stress and anxiety without mood altering substances.

Be sure to check out alcohol and other drug related resources on our Additional links page, and check the Other Local Resources page for alcohol and drug information and treatment facilities in our local area.

If you have questions about this project, or would like to participate in event planning, contact Student Counseling (409) 747-9508.