What is alcohol poisoning?

Alcohol poisoning is an extremely severe and often life-threatening condition that happens after a person consumes a dangerously high amount of alcohol within a very short space of time. Overconsumption in this way can lead to a critical impairment of the body’s core functions, including breathing, heart rate, and temperature regulation. Symptoms go from confusion and vomiting to seizures and unconsciousness. In extreme cases, alcohol poisoning can result in death.

About 600,000 adults in the UK struggle with alcohol use disorders, while binge drinking is prevalent among roughly half that number. University students are particularly at risk, with studies revealing that over 50% of them engage in binge drinking at least once a month. This particular demographic faces particularly unique pressures that lead to risky drinking behaviours.

Let’s explore alcohol poisoning further, examining what it is in more detail, its causes, and signs and symptoms.

What is alcohol poisoning?

Alcohol poisoning is, in essence, a medical emergency that arises from consuming too much alcohol in a short period. The reason this is the case is because extreme overconsumption basically overflows the bloodstream. It happens when Blood Concentration Levels (BAC) reach a level that significantly impairs the body’s capacity to function. It’s different to simple alcohol intoxication, which might lead to mild impairment and can be reversible, while alcohol poisoning could be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.

An explanation of how this works in more depth is as follows. Ethanol, the active ingredient in alcoholic beverages, acts as a depressant, meaning it slows down brain activity. At high levels, alcohol disrupts the brain’s ability to control vital functions, including respiration, heart rate, and body temperature regulation. For example, individuals with alcohol poisoning may experience:

• Slow or irregular breathing
• Hypothermia
• Dangerously low heart rate
• In severe cases, coma or death

In 2021 alone, nearly 22,000 emergency visits were linked to alcohol poisoning among individuals aged 18 to 24.

Causes of alcohol poisoning

Several almost predetermined factors influence the likelihood of an individual experiencing alcohol poisoning. Body weight is a big factor. Individuals with lower body mass might experience higher BAC levels than heavier individuals after consuming the same amount of alcohol. Tolerance levels also affect risk; those who regularly consume alcohol will likely develop a higher tolerance, causing them to drink more without being fully aware of the danger of their consumption.

The speed at which alcohol is consumed can seriously impact BAC, too. Drinking quickly increases the likelihood of surpassing the body’s capacity to metabolise alcohol, raising the risk of poisoning even further.

Common situations that lead to alcohol poisoning often occur during social events, such as parties or university gatherings. In these environments, peer pressure and the atmosphere of a party can encourage excessive drinking.

Also, misconceptions about alcohol, such as the notion that certain drinks can negate the effects of alcohol or that mixing different types of alcohol is safe, can further these risks.

Drinking games are common, too, promoting rapid consumption. It’s not rare for these games to end in dangerous consequences for some individuals.

Signs and symptoms

In order to make sure that you tackle the issue in time, it’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of alcohol poisoning. Physical symptoms manifest in a number of ways. Key indicators are:

• Confusion or stupor: The person may be disoriented and unable to answer questions or follow simple commands.
• Vomiting: Frequent vomiting is a significant warning sign, especially if the individual cannot stay awake.
• Seizures: Alcohol poisoning can trigger seizures due to the toxic effects on the brain.
• Slow or irregular breathing: A respiratory rate of fewer than eight breaths per minute or irregular breathing patterns can indicate severe impairment.

As well as physical signs, behavioural ones are often good indicators. Individuals may become unconscious or half-conscious, unable to be woken up or may be unresponsive to touch or sound. This unresponsiveness is important; you must seek emergency assistance immediately if someone cannot be roused.

Risks and consequences

Alcohol poisoning poses significant short-term health risks that can lead to severe complications or even death.

Among the most immediate dangers are:

• Choking, especially if the person is unconscious and unable to protect their airway
• Vomiting makes the above risk worse, as the individual might inhale the vomit into their lungs, leading to aspiration pneumonia
• Hypothermia, as alcohol dilates blood vessels and causes a loss of body heat

Longer-term risks associated with alcohol poisoning can be severe and life-threatening, too. Here is a list:

• Brain damage due to oxygen deprivation during respiratory failure
• Organ failure, particularly affecting the liver and kidneys, which are crucial for processing alcohol and maintaining bodily functions
• Increased risk of developing alcohol use disorders

What to do in an emergency

If you suspect someone is experiencing alcohol poisoning, it is crucial to act quickly and calmly. Here are detailed steps to take:

1. Call emergency services: If you notice signs of alcohol poisoning—such as confusion, vomiting, seizures, or slow breathing—immediately call for medical help. Provide clear information about the situation to the dispatcher.
2. Monitor breathing: Check the person’s breathing. If they are breathing fewer than eight times a minute or if their breathing is irregular, this is a medical emergency. Be prepared to perform CPR if necessary.
3. Position the individual: If the person is unconscious but breathing, place them on their side in the recovery position. This helps prevent choking if they vomit and ensures their airway remains clear.
4. Stay with the person: Remain with the individual until help arrives. Keep them awake and alert if possible, but if they cannot stay awake, keep monitoring their condition closely.

It’s vital not to wait for symptoms to improve before seeking medical help. Many people mistakenly believe they can “sleep it off” or that symptoms will resolve on their own. However, alcohol poisoning can worsen quickly and lead to life-threatening complications. Immediate intervention can significantly improve outcomes and save lives.

Myths about alcohol poisoning

Alcohol poisoning is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition, and several myths surround it. Here are some common misconceptions and the realities behind them:

1. You’ll just “sleep it off.”

Alcohol poisoning can be fatal if someone is left to “sleep it off.” Alcohol levels can continue to rise in the bloodstream even after someone stops drinking. This can lead to a person losing consciousness, going into a coma, or even dying if left unattended.

2. Drinking coffee or taking a cold shower will sober someone up.

Coffee, cold showers, and other “sober-up” tactics don’t reduce blood alcohol levels. Only time can lower BAC (blood alcohol concentration), and these methods don’t counteract the risk of alcohol poisoning.

3. Vomiting will help get rid of the alcohol.

While vomiting may remove some alcohol from the stomach, it doesn’t reverse the effects of alcohol that’s already entered the bloodstream. Alcohol poisoning can still progress even if someone vomits.

4. A person is fine if they are still conscious.

Someone with alcohol poisoning can still be at risk even if they’re awake. Alcohol can slow breathing, heart rate, and reflexes, putting the person in danger of losing consciousness or stopping breathing entirely.

5. Only “hard” liquor causes alcohol poisoning.

Any type of alcohol, including beer and wine, can cause alcohol poisoning if consumed in large amounts over a short period. The risk is about the amount of alcohol consumed, not the type.

6. You can tell if someone has alcohol poisoning by how much they drank.

Tolerance levels vary, and even people with a high tolerance can experience alcohol poisoning if they consume enough in a short period. Body weight, food intake, and overall health also affect alcohol processing.

7. Only binge drinkers are at risk. 

While binge drinking increases the risk, anyone who drinks excessively, even on a single occasion, can suffer from alcohol poisoning.

8. Alcohol poisoning symptoms are just extreme drunkenness.

Symptoms of alcohol poisoning—like slow or irregular breathing, low body temperature, confusion, and blue-tinged skin—are distinct and far more dangerous than typical intoxication.

Prevention tips

Preventing alcohol poisoning begins with education and awareness. It is important to inform individuals about the risks associated with excessive alcohol consumption and the importance of responsible drinking. Educational programs, particularly in high-risk environments like colleges, can help students understand the dangers of binge drinking and the signs of alcohol poisoning.

Setting personal drinking limits is another essential prevention strategy. People should establish their own guidelines for how much alcohol they will consume before attending social events. This can include deciding in advance to limit the number of drinks or choosing non-alcoholic beverages for part of the evening. Keeping track of drink counts and pacing oneself – such as having water between alcoholic beverages – can also help manage consumption.

Friends should watch out for one another, ensuring that everyone has a safe plan for getting home and encouraging responsible drinking behaviours. If one person appears intoxicated, friends should intervene rather than encourage further drinking.

For those struggling with alcohol addiction or abuse professional help is available. Counselling, support groups, and alcohol treatment programmes–such as those provided by UKAT – can provide essential resources for recovery.