Alcohol Poisoning and Overdose
Alcohol poisoning is a serious condition. Be aware of the symptoms of alcohol poisoning, and seek help before it is too late. An alcohol overdose happens when a person drinks too much alcohol in a short period of time. The two main ways alcohol overdose happens is through binge drinking and alcoholism or alcohol dependence. You are at a much higher risk of alcohol overdose if you drink more than five alcoholic drinks within a six hour period.
Avoid Alcohol Overdose and Alcohol Poisoning
Binge drinking is a popular activity among young adults on college campuses. While many young adults think this is a fun way to spend time, it can lead to serious problems such as auto accidents and alcohol poisoning. If you have a friend who drinks more than twice a week, your friend may have a problem with alcohol abuse and addiction. Alcoholism or alcohol dependence is a serious problem that can also lead to alcohol poisoning. People who struggle with alcohol dependence are at a higher risk of overdose than the general population. Alcoholism may be a problem in your life if you have the following symptoms:
- Hiding or sneaking drinks
- Problems related to drinking such as job loss, school problems or relationship problems
- You spend a great deal of time recovering from hangovers or anticipating your next drink
- You drink more than you intended in each sitting
- You plan to stop drinking but continue to drink
- Alcohol helps you feel more comfortable around other people and you find that you rely on it
What Happens During Alcohol Overdose and Alcohol Poisoning
The following is what can happen during alcohol overdose or alcohol poisoning:
• Too much alcohol will cause your breathing to slow down or stop
• Too much alcohol will cause your gag reflex to stop working which prevents your body from removing toxins
• Alcohol poisoning can cause your heart to beat rapidly and may lead to heart problems or death
• Your blood alcohol content will continue to increase even after you have stopped drinking which can make a person who seems fine one minute become very ill the next
• If a person who is severely inebriated passes out, the person may be unable to breathe or may be suffering from heart problems.
If someone you care about has recently overdosed on alcohol, call 911 or your emergency number immediately. Minutes of time may mean life or death for your loved one.
Medical Treatment for Alcohol Overdose
Are you concerned about your or a loved one’s drinking habits? We can help. We offer a toll-free helpline to help you find support and resources for rehab care and addiction treatment. We help families arrange interventions, we work with insurance companies to arrange coverage for addiction treatment and we can help you find the best treatment possible. We are here 24 hours a day, so call now to speak privately with an experienced addiction support assistant. Let us help you today.
