alcoholAlcohol poisoning occurs when a person consumes a toxic amount of alcohol, usually within a short period of time. Binge drinking is a common cause of alcohol poisoning. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, binge drinking is a drinking pattern that results in raising the person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to .08 grams percent, or higher. This typically occurs when a man consumes 5 or more alcoholic drinks in about 2 hours; and when a woman consumes 4 or more drinks in about 2 hours.

Alcohol Poisoning Symptoms and Signs

The person who has consumed a toxic (poisonous) amount of alcohol may become unresponsive, extremely confused, and disoriented. He or she may be breathing shallowly, and have pale or bluish-tinged skin. The person may pass out (go unconscious), and can slip into a coma.

The person cannot be roused, and may be unresponsive to your voice, pinching of the skin, or to shaking. Their skin may be clammy, cold, blotchy, pale or bluish. He or she may experience stupor, mental confusion of coma. Their breathing will be slow, with only 8 or fewer breaths per minute. The person may also experience lapses in their breathing, with 10 seconds or more between each breath. He or she may have convulsions, seizures or rigid spasms of the body. The person may vomit while unconscious or asleep, and not awaken.

15 Ways to Prevent Alcohol Poisoning

Alcohol poisoning is life-threatening, and its prevention can mean saving another person’s life. As with any life-threatening situation, it is always best to prevent it from happening in the first place. It is also wise to know what to do to help another when faced with a life-threatening situation. With that in mind, the following are ways to prevent alcohol poisoning:

Learn the Facts

Learn the facts about alcohol poisoning, and its signs and symptoms.

Share your Knowledge

Share what you have learned with others.

Be Temperate

Do not drink alcohol to excess.

Encourage Others to be Temperate

Encourage friends, family and peers not to drink alcohol to excess.

Do Not Binge Drink

Do not drink numerous drinks in a short period of time, raising your BAC to dangerously high levels.

Discourage Others from Binge Drinking

Discourage and prevent others from endangering their lives by binge drinking.

Know the Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning

Commit them to memory, and recognize them when you see them in another.

Ensure Others Know the Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning

Get others to commit them to memory so they, too, will recognize them in another.

Know What Actions to Take

When you observe a person exhibiting any of the signs or symptoms of alcohol poisoning or overdose, call 911, and apply First Aid.

Stay with the Person

Do not leave them alone for any reason.

Learn First Aid

Take a class in First Aid, and learn the basics of what to do to help someone with alcohol poisoning.

Encourage Others to Learn First Aid

Encourage friends, family and peers to learn basic First Aid, and what to do to help someone with alcohol poisoning.

Learn CPR

CPR, (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) is a lifesaving technique. It is used when a person’s breathing or heartbeat has stopped, such as can happen with alcohol poisoning. Check online for classes in your area.

Learn the Bacchus Maneuver

You use the Bacchus Maneuver to position a passed-out person so they will not choke on their own vomit. It is simple to learn, and important to know. Check online for instructions and graphics on how to do it.

Be Prepared to Administer CPR

If someone is suffering from alcohol poisoning, be prepared to administer CPR.

While you are waiting for emergency medical personnel to arrive, do everything you know or have been wise enough to learn to keep the person warm, conscious, and safe from choking and aspiration (breathing vomit into the lungs).

Preventing alcohol poisoning in the first place is by far the safest and wisest action to take. Be well-informed, and well-prepared.