Alcohol is absorbed quickly into the body and lead to extremely dangerous circumstances. Quite often, binge drinking is the cause of alcohol poisoning. Not knowing how much is too much can lead to fatal circumstances. With alcohol, the type of drink determines what the actual definition of ‘one drink’ is. In summary:
- 12 ounces of beer with 5% alcohol
- 8-9 ounces of malt liquor with 7% alcohol
- 5 ounces of wine with 12% alcohol
- 1.5 ounces of hard liquor with 40% alcohol
In addition to the amount of alcohol consumed, there are several health factors that can increase and decrease your risk of suffering from alcohol poisoning. These factors include:
- The size and weight of the individual
- The overall health of the individual
- Whether or not food has been recently consumed
- If a person is combining drugs with drug use
- The rate and amount of consumption
Individuals suffering from alcohol poisoning need immediate medical attention. Some symptoms of alcohol poisoning include:
- Slowed or irregular breathing patterns
- Low body temperature
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Skin discoloration – turning blue or pale
- Losing consciousness and unable to be woken
Individuals can suffer severe side effects as a result of alcohol poisoning. Some individuals can experience brain damage, hypothermia, choking, or they can stop breathing. Individuals also risk dying as a result or alcohol poisoning and/or issues caused by it.
If you or someone you know is suffering from alcohol poisoning, it is crucial to get immediate help. Call 9/11 or go to the nearest hospital for treatment. Once you are in the hospital, there are typically three things that will happen.
- You or your friend will undergo a complete medical evaluation. Doctors will give IV fluids and conduct lab tests to see what all is going on. They will evaluate the vitamins and nutrients in your blood to determine if the alcohol is causing any deficiencies and they will determine the amount of alcohol in your system in order to stabilize you.
- They will have a mental health professional evaluate you. If this professional is available, they will perform an assessment to see if you are feeling suicidal or feel like hurting yourself or harming others. They may talk to you about things in your life that are having an impact on you and may recommend help to treat mental conditions.
- Your doctor may recommend a reputable detox facility. This type of facility allows patients to safely cleanse their system of any harmful drug or alcohol substances. Alcohol treatment can involve medication-assisted detox to lower the risk of developing anxiety or seizures through detox.
At Asana Recovery, we work to ensure you are comfortable as you go through detox. This is the first important step toward recovery and it is a crucial part of the process. It is important that patients have a pleasant experience as this is generally a very difficult thing to go through.
If you or someone you know has an alcohol abuse problem, contact us at (949) 438-4504 to get help today.
