Alcohol Poisoning Symptoms

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About 50,000 cases of alcohol poisoning are reported each year in the United States. Not only this, but roughly once every week, someone needlessly dies from alcohol poisoning.  Does alcohol poisoning happen only to people who are alcohol dependent or can it happen to individuals who are alcohol abusers?  Are alcoholism symptoms related to alcohol poisoning?

What are the signs and the symptoms of alcohol poisoning?  Understanding alcohol poisoning symptoms and the causes of a toxic reaction and responding intelligently and appropriately to such circumstances ( by calling 911) can help avoid a fatal alcohol overdose because doing so will result in getting the person to the hospital for alcohol poisoning treatment.

Alcohol Poisoning and Blood Alcohol Level Factors

Alcohol poisoning is a dangerous and sometimes deadly result of drinking extreme amounts of ethanol alcohol.  It is important to point out that binge drinking (consuming five or more alcoholic drinks at one sitting) can also lead to alcohol poisoning.

It is also important to note that alcohol poisoning symptoms are not necessarily synonymous with alcoholism symptoms that are experienced by alcoholics.  In other words, both alcohol abusers and alcoholics can suffer from alcohol poisoning and experience alcohol poisoning symptoms.

The effects of the alcohol on your body depend on the amount of alcohol in your blood (blood alcohol level).

Factors that affect your blood alcohol level include the following:

• How quickly your body metabolizes the alcohol
  
  
• How strong the alcoholic drink is
  
  
• How quickly you consume the alcoholic drink
  
  
• How much food is in your stomach at the time you drink

Typical Alcohol Poisoning Symptoms

Nausea and vomiting are two of the first alcohol poisoning symptoms a person with an alcohol overdose will experience.  Alcohol poisoning symptoms are messages from your body and from your brain that you have consumed more alcohol than your body can metabolize.

The following list represents other signs of alcohol poisoning and alcohol poisoning symptoms:

• Slow, shallow, or irregular breathing
  
  
• Confusion
  
  
• Difficulty awakening the person
  
  
• No withdrawal from painful stimuli (for instance from pinching)
  
  
• Unconsciousness (passing out)
  
  
• Blue-tinged skin or pale skin
  
  
• Absent reflexes
  
  
• Seizures

It is clear from the above list of alcohol poisoning symptoms that the signs of alcohol poisoning are far different and more severe than the typical alcohol-related headache or hangover.  Indeed, many times a person can "sleep off" a painful hangover or a throbbing headache he or she received from excessive drinking.  When discussing alcohol poisoning, however, one of the worst things a person can do is to try to "sleep off" his or her alcohol poisoning symptoms.  Why?  Because a person with alcohol poisoning who goes to sleep may never awaken without prompt alcohol poisoning treatment.

The Interaction of Alcohol and Other Drugs

It must be pointed out that alcohol can also be dangerous in smaller amounts if it is used in combination with other drugs.  Stated differently, alcohol poisoning symptoms can be made worse and can occur more rapidly when the drinker also takes the following drugs:

• Certain anti-seizure medications (such as phenobarbital).
  
  
• Sedatives (examples include barbiturates, tranquilizers, and cannabis).
  
  
• Narcotic pain medications (such as codine, codine derivatives, opium, heroin, and darvocet).

Alcohol Poisoning Symptoms:  Conclusion

Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning.  Apparently a lot of people think that alcohol poisoning is restricted to alcoholics and is one of the main alcoholism symptoms.  This is not correct.  Surely alcoholics who drink more than their bodies can metabolize can and do experience alcohol poisoning symptoms.  And alcohol poisoning can be seen as one of the symptoms of alcoholism.

But this does not mean that the only people who suffer from alcohol poisoning are alcoholics.  Indeed, people who engage in binge drinking (which is a form of alcohol abuse) can also experience alcohol poisoning symptoms.

Roughly 50,000 cases of alcohol poisoning are reported each year in the United States, and about once per week, someone needlessly dies from alcohol poisoning.  Understanding alcohol poisoning symptoms and the causes of a toxic reaction and responding appropriately and intelligently to such situations can help avoid a fatal overdose.

Indeed, a person who is able to understand alcohol poisoning symptoms and signs and respond immediately by calling 911 for medical assistance can help save a person's life.

Getting the person with alcohol poisoning to the hospital as soon as possible is indeed critically important.  What happens at the hospital, however, is also important.  Please click here for more information on alcohol poisoning treatment.

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