Alcohol overdose or poisoning is a health issue that occurs after excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages. This can occur if an individual ingests too much alcohol at one time.
It is important to note that alcohol is a drug that impairs the central nervous system. It is a depressant since it slows down the speech, reaction time and movement. Many individuals consume alcohol due to its relaxing effect. Even though drinking can be a healthy social experience, ingesting too much regularly can lead to serious health issues.
Call for emergency assistance if an individual experiences alcohol overdose. Remember that this is a serious condition that can be dangerous.
What are the causes?
Alcohol affects all the organs in the body. Alcohol overdose occurs if an individual consumes more alcohol than what the body can safely process. Initially, the stomach and the small intestine rapidly absorb alcohol so that it enters the bloodstream. If more alcohol is ingested, the higher the amount that enters the bloodstream.
The liver also metabolizes the alcohol but it only breaks down so much at one time. Understandably, what the liver could not break down is transferred all over the body. In most cases, the body can safely process an ounce of alcohol every hour. If more of this is consumed, it can cause the body to poorly function since the liver could not break it down.
What are the risk factors for alcohol overdose?
The usual risk factors that increases the risk for alcohol overdose include the following:
- Gender – men are more likely to drink heavily than women
- Age – young adults are likely to drink excessively
- Body size – the weight and height determines how rapidly the body absorbs alcohol. Those who have smaller bodies can experience the effects quickly than those who have large bodies.
- Binge drinking – individuals who binge drink usually more than 5 drinks in an hour face a high risk
- Tolerance level – having a high tolerance or drinking rapidly increases the risk
- Certain health conditions – conditions such as diabetes
- Drug use – when drugs and alcohol are combined, the effects of alcohol are reduced which causes the individual to drink more
What are the symptoms?
The usual indications of alcohol overdose can include the following:
- Vomiting
- Changes in the mental state including confusion
- Bluish or pale skin
- A drop in the body temperature
- Passing out or loss of consciousness
Alcohol can depress the nervous system, thus one can experience serious complications if he/she ingested at a rate that is faster than what the liver can process such as the following:
- Slowing down or cessation of breathing, gag reflex and heart rate which are all regulated by the nervous system
- Cardiac arrest occurs after a drop in the body temperature
- Seizures due to a drop in the blood sugar levels
An individual does not necessarily need to have all these symptoms to have an overdose. In case the breathing of an individual slowed down to less than 8 breaths in a minute or could not be awaken, call for emergency assistance.
If an individual is unconscious, do not leave him/her alone. Position him/her on the side in case of vomiting. Stay with the individual until the emergency team arrives.