Alcohol poisoning or overdose happens when too much alcohol is taken into the bloodstream, causing damage to the brain and other vital organs. If you worry that someone you love may have alcohol poisoning, look for these signs and recognize that it’s more than an ordinary hangover.
Confusion
Mental misperception is one of the most common alcohol poisoning symptoms. Alcohol disrupts neural pathways, affecting function in parts of the brain responsible for speech, judgment, memory, and balance. A person with alcohol poisoning may be confused, speak irrationally, and be more likely to harm themselves accidentally.
Loss of Consciousness
When a person’s blood alcohol concentration or BAC reaches a dangerous level, it may lead to the loss of consciousness—and in some cases, passing out leads to death because BAC may continue to rise as alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream. For that reason, prompt medical attention is essential in cases of alcohol poisoning.
Nausea and Vomiting
Alcohol irritates the stomach lining, stimulating stomach acid production, slowing digestion and creating symptoms like vomiting, nausea, and abdominal pain.
Convulsions
The body’s GABA receptors serve a crucial purpose: they control seizures. Because alcohol intensifies GABA’s effects, the brain may be more relaxed than normal. Known as CNS or central nervous system depression, the condition can increase the risk of seizures in people with certain neurological conditions.
Trouble Breathing
When a person’s BAC is over 0.40%, they may go into hypoventilation, which may lead to coma or death. Hypoventilation or respiratory depression is characterized by a sharp reduction in the depth and rate of breathing, and it’s a common symptom of alcohol poisoning.
Heart Arrhythmia and Cardiac Arrest
Alcohol is a known depressant that affects the brain’s ability to control bodily functions—including heart rhythm. In severe cases, alcohol poisoning can lead to sudden cardiac death.
Clamminess
It’s common for people to sweat when drinking, and in many cases, it’s a sign of alcohol intolerance. In other situations, though, the skin may become clammy and cold. When the liver can’t process alcohol soon enough, it starts to come out through the pores, creating sweaty, clammy skin.
Bluish-Tinged Skin
Blue skin is a sign of hypoxia, which is a side effect of central nervous system depression. If an excessive drinker has a bluish tinge to their skin, they may have alcohol poisoning.
Diminished Responses
Excessive drinking interferes with the brain’s regulation of automatic responses, including the gag reflex. If someone drinks so much that they pass out, they may vomit and choke on it. If someone around you has consumed too much alcohol and is unconscious, roll them on their side and call for help.
Low Temperature
Like other substances, alcohol can disrupt thermoregulatory function, limit the duration and intensity of shivering, and affect body temperature. With this fact in mind, it’s important to consume alcohol cautiously in cold environments.
Alcohol Poisoning vs. Hangover
Though they feel similar, alcohol poisoning and hangovers are different. A hangover will last about 24 hours, while alcohol poisoning can last for three days and comes with more severe symptoms. If you or someone you care about has alcohol poisoning, seek prompt medical attention, and consider finding a rehabilitation center that can help with recovery from alcohol addiction.
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