Alcohol Poisoning

Alcohol poisoning occurs when a large amount of alcohol is consumed, usually over a short period of time. This leads to a rapid rise in BAC caused by having more alcohol in the body than the liver can handle. It's your liver's job to remove toxins from the body. If there is too much alcohol in the body, the liver cannot perform this critical function.

Alcohol poisoning = alcohol overdose.

Remember: BAC can continue to rise even after a person stops drinking.

Alcohol in the stomach and small intestine continues to enter the bloodstream and circulate throughout the body. So a person's BAC will continue to rise. This rise in BAC can still occur when someone is passed out. For this reason, it is dangerous to assume that a person who is passed out will be fine.

Also, keep in mind that alcohol depresses nerves that control involuntary actions such as breathing and the gag reflex (which prevents choking). A fatal dose of alcohol will eventually stop these functions.

Signs of alcohol poisoning:

• Being passed out or difficult to wake up
• Vomiting, while asleep or awake
• Cold, clammy, pale or discolored skin
• Slow, irregular breathing
  • fewer than eight breaths per minute
  • 10 seconds or more between breaths

How to help a friend who might have alcohol poisoning:

• Call 911 for help. If there is any suspicion of an alcohol overdose, don't try to guess the severity of the situation.
• NEVER leave the person unattended.
• Do not wait for all symptoms to be present.
• Turn a vomiting person on her/his side to prevent choking.
• Clear vomit from the mouth.
• Keep the person awake.
• Be aware that a person who has passed out could die.