Things only got worse during the pandemic, when problem drinking spiked. Alcohol poisoning symptoms are the result of drinking copious amounts of alcohol in a short period. Drinking games and hazing incidents where alcohol is used as a punishment or a test of fortitude are all too familiar today, and sadly, when the first signs appear that someone has consumed dangerous amounts of alcohol, people don’t know to call 911.

Unfortunately, there are three frightening myths surrounding how to treat someone who is intoxicated that can make the condition worse and lead to death.

What Is Alcohol Poisoning?

Alcohol poisoning is essentially an alcohol overdose caused by consuming large amounts of alcohol in a short period. Too much alcohol overwhelms the body’s natural ability to break it down and clear it from the system, leading to a rapid increase in the blood alcohol count (BAC). Essentially, the drinker has consumed a toxic amount of alcohol.

As the BAC rises, so do the alcohol’s effects. Poor judgment, a decrease in coordination, personality changes, and vomiting are signs of a high BAC that is significantly impairing brain function.

When there is too much alcohol in the bloodstream, certain life-support functions — including breathing, the gag reflex, temperature control, and heart rate — can begin to shut down. If the drinker passes out, the risk is not over as the BAC continues to rise and the life-support functions begin to shut down. This can result in death.

Three Myths of Alcohol Poisoning

You can sleep it off.

The problem with sleeping is that alcohol suppresses natural reflexes, including the gag reflex. So if someone passes out and then vomits, that person can choke to death because the gag reflex doesn’t work.

A cold shower will wake you up.

A cold shower sounds harmless enough, but the reality is that alcohol lowers the core temperature of the body, and a cold shower on top of that can cause hypothermia.

Caffeine will make you more alert.

Caffeine masks the outward symptoms of alcohol; it doesn’t reduce the level of alcohol in the body. This leads to another myth — combining alcohol and high-caffeine drinks keeps you from getting drunk. Nothing could be further from the truth. Studies show that the now common practice of mixing energy drinks with alcohol leads to greater consumption as the depressant effects of alcohol are diminished.

Alcohol Poisoning Symptoms

Excessive alcohol consumption is the fourth-leading cause of preventable death in the United States and a risk factor for many health and social problems. While many of them may appear mild, many of the deaths that occur happen when someone is left alone after they pass out or lose consciousness. Remember, the blood alcohol count continues to rise for a couple of hours, depending on the amount of alcohol consumed.

Never leave a person alone who has passed out after drinking. Try to keep that person awake. Don’t let this person lie on their back, and if any of the following symptoms appear, call 911 immediately:

Repeated vomiting
Uncontrollable vomiting
Seizures
Loss of coordination and balance
Cold, clammy hands or chills
Skin becomes bluish
Hypothermia
Confusion
Unconsciousness and can’t be awakened
Stupor
Slow breathing (less than eight breaths a minute)
Irregular breathing (a gap of more than 10 seconds between breaths)

Dangers of Alcohol Poisoning

Choking on vomit
Aspirating of vomit leading to asphyxiation
Seizures resulting in brain damage or death
Stopped breathing
Severe dehydration
Irregular heartbeats
Hypothermia
Hypoglycemia
Irreversible brain damage
Coma
Death

Causes and Risk Factors

While consuming large quantities of alcohol in a short period is the undeniable cause of alcohol poisoning, some factors affect the way the human body handles alcohol, such as:

Overall health
Size and weight
Sex
Amount and type of food consumed before drinking
If drinking alcohol is accompanied by any illegal drugs, prescription drugs or caffeine
Personal tolerance level
Consuming more than four drinks for women
Consuming more than five drinks for men
Alcoholism

Treatment (Do’s and Don’ts)

Alcohol poisoning is a serious and potentially life-threatening emergency, and time is of the essence. Call 911 immediately if any of the signs or symptoms above are present. Also, follow these guidelines:

DO’S:

Stay with the person, even if they appear to be sleeping.
Try to keep them conscious.
Remain calm and firm.
Wrap in blankets or jackets to keep them warm.
Do the Bacchus manoeuvre, a position that keeps someone from choking on vomit.
If the person is sitting upright, give them water or coconut water.
If they vomit, help them by keeping them sitting up.
Be prepared to perform CPR.
If you cannot awaken the person, call 911 immediately.
Be prepared to provide information on the type and quantity of alcohol consumed and when.

DON’TS:

Leave the person alone to sleep it off
Give them caffeine
Give them food or medication, even over-the-counter painkillers
Have them walk
Let them take a cold shower
Hesitate to call 911 — their life may depend on immediate emergency medical attention.

How Much Alcohol Is in Your Drink?

The amount of alcohol in a drink varies widely, depending on the type and serving size. The alcohol by volume (ABV) of most beers ranges from about 4 percent to 11 percent for 12 ounces, while wines range from 10 percent to 14 percent per five-ounce serving.

The alcohol content is much higher in spirits and mixed drinks, with ABVs that are commonly 40 percent to 50 percent, or higher per drink. Here are some ABV estimates:

National Brand Beer: 5 percent to 6 percent
Micro-Brew Beers, Stouts, Malt Beverages: Up to 15 percent
White Wine: 10 percent to 15 percent ABV
Red Wine: 12 percent to 16 percent ABV
Fortified Wine (sherry, port, Madeira): 16 percent to 24 percent ABV
Sake: 20 percent ABV
Vodka: 40 percent to 95 percent ABV
Gin: 36 percent to 50 percent ABV
Rum: 36 percent to 50 percent ABV
Whiskey: 36 percent to 50 percent ABV
Tequila: 50 percent to 51 percent ABV
Liqueurs (schnapps, triple sec, amaretto): 15 percent to 20 percent ABV

Mixed drinks that include one or more types of alcohol have the highest alcohol content. The National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism provides a free cocktail calculator to help determine the amount of alcohol in each drink. Here are some popular mixed drinks and their alcohol content:

Vodka Martini: 30 percent to 40 percent or greater
Tom Collins: 8 percent
Mojito: 13 percent to 16 percent or greater
Margarita: 30 percent to 40 percent or greater
Pina Colada: 13 percent to 15 percent
Screwdriver: 11 percent to 14 percent or greater
Vodka Tonic: 13 percent or greater
Long Island Ice Tea: 25 percent or greater

Prevention

1. Drink in Moderation

The failproof way to avoid alcohol poisoning is to limit alcohol consumption. If you are going to drink multiple drinks, stop when you first start to feel buzzed.

2. Don’t Participate in Drinking Games/Hazing

Sip drinks slowly, and keep track of your alcohol consumption. Know your limits. Stand strong in the face of peer pressure, and leave the event if you are uncomfortable.

3. Eat a Healthy Meal

Before consuming alcohol, eat a healthy, well-rounded meal. Having some food in your stomach may help slow alcohol absorption, but it will not prevent alcohol overdose. Try to snack while at a party or event to keep food in your system.

4. Alternate Alcoholic Drinks and Non-Alcoholic Drinks

While at a party, for every cocktail, glass of wine, or beer you have, have a non-alcoholic (and non-caffeinated) drink. The best choices are water or coconut water to help you stay hydrated. Even better, you can avoid alcohol completely and opt for mocktails instead.

5. Use N-acetyl cysteine (NAC)

To lessen the toxic effects that alcohol has on the body, take 200 milligrams of N-acetyl cysteine before drinking. This may help reduce hangover symptoms the following day.

6. Take B Vitamins

Alcohol depletes many nutrients, with the B vitamins among the most targeted. These vitamins are essential and help eliminate alcohol in the system. Before drinking, take a high-quality vitamin B complex supplement. Also, snack on healthy foods like yoghurt, pistachios, avocados, and sunflower seeds.

7. Try Milk Thistle

Before you drink, and in the days following high alcohol consumption, take 150 milligrams of milk thistle twice a day. This relatively high dose should only be done when you need a natural liver “detox.” For general liver support, take 50 to 150 milligrams daily. Milk thistle’s high concentration of silymarin may also help protect against certain types of cancer. As excessive alcohol consumption increases your risk of developing certain cancers, taking a high-quality milk thistle supplement is essential for heavy drinkers.

8. Consume Probiotics

Eating probiotic-rich foods like kefir, sauerkraut, yoghurt, apple cider vinegar, and raw cheese — before and after — consuming alcohol may help to stave off the digestive upset and keep the gut’s bacterial balance in check. Also, a high-quality probiotic supplement that contains 50 billion CFU or higher is wise if you consume three or more drinks a week.

9. Try Magnesium

For those who drink, magnesium supplementation is an absolute necessity. Magnesium deficiency can lead to liver damage, and studies show that, like the B vitamins, many patients with liver disease are deficient in this essential nutrient. Taking a high-quality magnesium supplement (420 milligrams for men and 320 milligrams for women) and including magnesium-rich foods can help protect your liver, reduce your risk of stroke and heart attacks, lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, and much more.

10. Drink Coconut Water

While drinking and after drinking, you must rehydrate and replenish electrolytes, particularly if you have vomited. An electrolyte imbalance can cause confusion, irritability, dizziness, muscle spasms, pain, and digestive distress. Don’t reach for a sports drink loaded with chemicals and sugar when coconut water is so much healthier. Coconut water is loaded with potassium and contains small amounts of sodium, magnesium, and calcium — essential when rebalancing after drinking.

Conclusion

Alcohol poisoning is a life-threatening emergency. If you suspect it, call 911 immediately. Do not leave a person alone when alcohol poisoning symptoms are present. If they pass out after drinking, perform the Bacchus manoeuvre to prevent choking. Too much alcohol in the body suppresses life-support functions, including gag reflex, temperature, heart rate, and breathing. Excessive alcohol consumption is the fourth-leading cause of preventable death in the United States. The amount of alcohol in a drink varies widely. Know the amount of alcohol you are consuming to prevent excessive intoxication. Consuming alcohol and caffeine together increases the danger. You can’t sleep off alcohol poisoning or take a walk or cold shower to recover. Practice steps to prevent alcohol poisoning in the first place, including not drinking at all.

FAQs

Q: What should I do if I suspect someone has alcohol poisoning?

A: Call 911 immediately. Stay with the person, keep them conscious, and follow the do’s and don’ts outlined above.

Q: Can you not sleep off alcohol poisoning?

A: Correct. Sleeping off alcohol poisoning is dangerous because it suppresses natural reflexes, including the gag reflex, which can lead to choking on vomit.

Q: Is it safe to mix alcohol with energy drinks?

A: No, mixing alcohol with energy drinks is dangerous because caffeine masks the depressant effects of alcohol, leading to greater consumption and increased risk of alcohol poisoning.

Q: What are the long-term risks of excessive alcohol consumption?

A: Long-term risks include liver disease, cardiovascular problems, brain damage, and increased risk of certain cancers.