Alcohol poisoning is serious and can sometimes lead to death. With Spring Weekend approaching, it is important to know about alcohol poisoning and how to deal with it. Drinking large amounts of alcohol within a short period of time can affect your breathing, heart rate, gag reflex and potentially lead to coma or death.
What are the symptoms of alcohol poisoning? Vomiting, confusion, irregular breathing (a gap of more than 10 seconds between breaths), slow breathing (less than eight breaths a minute), blue tinged or pale skin, low body temperature and unconsciousness ("passing out") and inability to be roused. Note that not all symptoms have to be present for you to seek help. A person who is unconscious or can't be roused is at risk of dying.
What to do if you suspect someone has alcohol poisoning? Don't be afraid to get help! If the person is conscious, call (800) 222-1222 and you will be automatically directed to your poison control center. The poison control center or emergency call center can instruct you as to whether you should take the person to the hospital. All calls are confidential. If the person is unconscious, breathing fewer than eight times a minute or has repeated, uncontrolled vomiting, call 911, the Longwood University Police Department (434) 395-2091, get your Resident Assistant, etc.
Be sure to remember that even though someone has stopped drinking does not mean that alcohol stops getting into the blood stream. Therefore, never assume that someone will "sleep it off." I know it can be difficult to decide when medical intervention is needed, but it is best to side with caution and get help.
You may worry about the consequences particularly if you are underage, but the consequences of not getting help in time can be more serious. Never - I repeat, never - leave an unconscious person alone! While waiting for help to arrive do not leave an unconscious person without assistance, they can choke on their own vomit or accidentally inhale vomit into the lungs, which could cause a fatal lung injury.
Be sure to place the afflicted person into recovery position, which is when a person is on their side, legs slightly bent and arms raised by the head. You can also place a book bag behind them to help be sure that they do not roll over on their back or front. They can drown in their own vomit if they are not placed in this position.
What are the effects of alcohol poisoning? There are short-term and long-term effects associated with alcohol poisoning. Short-term effects include vomiting, a depressed gag reflex, suffocation and dehydration. Long-term effects include irreversible brain damage and death.
How can you prevent alcohol poisoning? Drink alcohol in moderation. When you drink, sip, don't chug, and alternate alcohol with water. Don't drink on an empty stomach and eat protein before drinking. Don't try to keep up with others. People have different tolerance levels.
Remember that blood alcohol content is determined by sex, weight, food consumption, drinking rate, caffeine, carbonation and medication. The drinking age in the United States is 21 years old; if you are underage, you should not be drinking.
For more information, go to collegedrinkingprevention.gov.
