Alcohol poisoning is a life-threatening condition that occurs when toxic levels of alcohol cause parts of the brain that control basic functions to shut down. This condition occurs when you drink large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time.
Alcohol poisoning can cause varying levels of impairment, leading to symptoms such as slurred speech, mood swings and vomiting. Your exact symptoms will depend on how much alcohol you drank.
If you drink too much alcohol too quickly, your liver can’t get rid of it fast enough. This causes an increase in the amount of alcohol in the blood, also known as blood alcohol concentration (BAC).
As you continue to drink and your BAC increases, alcohol poisoning can occur. If left untreated, alcohol poisoning can lead to brain damage or death, so it’s important to get medical help right away if you or someone you know experiences symptoms of alcohol poisoning after drinking.
Alcohol it enters the bloodstream within minutes of drinking and it takes about 30-90 minutes for blood alcohol levels to peak.
Drinking alcohol can be enjoyable at first. You may feel relaxed or a little sleepy. Some people become more open or talkative. These effects are signs that your body is already working hard to process alcohol. At this stage, your BAC is usually between 0.0-0.05%.
This level of alcohol use can lead to mild impairment of speech, memory, attention, coordination and balance. Here are some examples of how this can manifest:
- You stumble over words when telling a story to your friends
- You forget where you put your keys
- Your attention starts to drift during the conversation
- You feel unbalanced when you walk
- You lose some of your fine motor skills, such as not being able to pick up your fork to eat food
As you drink more alcohol, the symptoms of the damage worsen. What started as relaxation can turn into a stronger intoxication. At this point, your BAC is usually between 0.06-0.15%. For most people, this leads to more difficulties with speech, memory, attention, coordination and balance.
You can also experience:
- Increased aggression, such as getting into a heated argument with a friend
- Changes in mood
- Greater risk of falls and injuries
- Impaired judgment
- Inability to drive safely
- Forgetting important details, such as how you got home or who you talked to at a party
When the damage becomes severe, the symptoms can be life-threatening. At this stage, the BAC is usually between 0.16-0.30%. During this phase, you can:
- It is difficult to speak clearly
- Have difficulty remembering things
- You can’t stand up straight or walk in line
- Lose the ability to make rational decisions
- Experience complete memory loss
- Vomiting
- You feel faint or lose consciousness
- Note the double vision
These symptoms indicate that alcohol is seriously affecting your body and vital functions such as memory and awareness. If you notice someone having these symptoms, it’s important to get them to stop drinking to prevent the symptoms from getting worse and becoming life-threatening.
If alcohol consumption continues beyond the stage of severe impairment, symptoms can be critical or life-threatening. This usually occurs with a BAC of 0.31-0.45% or higher.
The amount of alcohol that can cause alcohol poisoning is not the same for everyone. Your age, gender and rate of drinking play a role. Other factors include your medications and the amount of food you eat before you drink.
Drinking on an empty stomach and taking sleeping pills, antidepressants, or pain relievers can make it easier for alcohol to enter your bloodstream and increase its effects.
At this stage, brain activity can slow down so much that your memory and ability to stay awake are severely impaired. You may experience complete memory loss, confusion, difficulty staying awake, or inability to wake up.
Alcohol poisoning can also affect the brain’s ability to perform basic functions such as breathing, regulating body temperature, maintaining a heartbeat and maintaining reflexes. Signs that your vitals are impaired include:
- Slow breathing (bradypnea): Taking fewer than eight breaths every minute
- Irregular breathing (apnea): Pauses of 10 or more seconds between each breath
- Slow heart rate (bradycardia): Pulse below 50-60 beats per minute
Other life-threatening symptoms include:
- Hypothermia (low body temperature)
- Trembling and pale skin
- Attacks
- Extremely low blood sugar
If you or someone you know has any of the above symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.
Suffocation and death
Alcohol poisoning can disrupt essential reflexes in your body, especially the gag reflex — which helps prevent choking on food, liquids and saliva. A malfunctioning gag reflex significantly increases the risk of suffocation.
Many people with alcohol poisoning vomit. If the gag reflex does not work, vomit can enter the airways and lungs, causing suffocation and lack of oxygen and resulting in brain damage or even death.
If you see signs of alcohol poisoning in yourself or someone else, call 911 immediately. This is an emergency and every minute counts. Only professional medical help can prevent permanent brain damage or death.
While you’re waiting for an ambulance:
- Keep a close eye on the person
- Turn them on their side to prevent choking if they vomit
- Try to keep them awake if you can
Even if someone has stopped drinking and seems to be getting better, they could still be at risk. The alcohol remained in them stomach and intestines can continue to enter the bloodstream, potentially worsening symptoms.
Alcohol poisoning is a dangerous condition that can occur when someone drinks too much alcohol too quickly. When the body is overwhelmed with a toxic amount of alcohol, it can seriously affect vital functions.
At first, you may notice mild effects such as slurred speech, forgetfulness, or clumsiness. As drinking continues and excess alcohol enters the bloodstream, alcohol poisoning can occur and cause symptoms such as extremely slow heart rate and breathing, low body temperature, seizures and choking on vomit.
If you notice any signs of alcohol poisoning, seek medical attention immediately.