Arielle Cruz
Alcohol poisoning is a serious condition that can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. It occurs when alcohol is consumed faster than the body can process it, leading to a high blood alcohol concentration (BAC). While it may be tempting to treat alcohol poisoning at home due to embarrassment or other reasons, it is crucial to recognize the dangers and seek professional help. Treating alcohol poisoning at home increases the risk of death and can lead to severe complications, including brain damage and choking on one's vomit. This condition should not be taken lightly, and understanding the signs, knowing when to seek help, and taking preventive measures can save lives.
How to deal with alcohol poisoning at home
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Call for emergency medical assistance | Call 911 or the National Capital Poison Center at 1-866-475-0812 |
| Do not | Put them in a cold shower or bath, give them coffee or drinks containing caffeine, leave them alone, let them drive themselves to the hospital |
| Do | Stay with them, keep them sitting up if they're awake, put them in the recovery position if they've passed out, check they're breathing properly, help them if they're vomiting by having them lean forward |
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What You'll Learn
Call emergency services
Alcohol poisoning can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. If you suspect that someone has alcohol poisoning, call the emergency services immediately. Do not wait for the person to exhibit all the symptoms of alcohol poisoning, and do not try to treat them yourself.
Call 911 in the US or 999 in the UK for help. The person you speak to will give you advice on what to do while you wait for emergency services to arrive. They will also ask you for information about the patient's condition, so be prepared to provide details such as the type and amount of alcohol consumed, any drugs taken, and any health information you know about the person, including current medications, allergies, and existing health conditions.
If the person is unconscious, they are at risk of choking on their own vomit. Keep them on the ground in a sitting or partially upright position. If they are lying down, roll them onto their side with an ear to the ground to prevent choking. Stay with them and monitor their breathing. Alcohol poisoning can cause depressed breathing, and the person's body can shut down, which can be deadly without treatment.
Do not attempt to drive the person to the hospital yourself. Do not give them coffee or caffeinated drinks, as this can cause dehydration. Do not put them in a cold shower or bath, as they could get too cold, fall, or lose consciousness in the water.
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Do not let the person sleep it off
Alcohol poisoning can be dangerous and even life-threatening, and it is advised that you seek immediate medical attention for anyone displaying symptoms. Treating alcohol poisoning at home is never advised as it increases the risk of death.
If someone is displaying symptoms of alcohol poisoning, do not let them "sleep it off". Alcohol poisoning can cause a person to stop breathing, and very high levels of alcohol can hinder signals in the brain that control automatic responses, such as the gag reflex. This means that a person who has drunk to the point of passing out is in danger of choking on their own vomit and dying from a lack of oxygen. Even if the person survives, an alcohol overdose can lead to long-lasting brain damage.
If someone is unconscious, they should be placed in the recovery position and their breathing should be monitored. If they are conscious, they should be sat up or helped to lean forward to prevent choking.
If you suspect alcohol poisoning, call 911 or your local emergency services immediately. While awaiting emergency assistance, do not leave the person alone.
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Prevent choking
Alcohol poisoning is a dangerous condition that requires immediate medical attention. While waiting for emergency services to arrive, it is important to take steps to prevent choking, as this is a major danger of alcohol poisoning. Here are some detailed instructions to prevent choking in someone with alcohol poisoning:
Keep Them Sitting Up
If the person is vomiting, try to keep them sitting up. Sitting up reduces the risk of choking on vomit. However, if they must lie down, ensure it is done correctly to prevent choking.
Use the Recovery Position
Place the person on their side with one knee bent. This is known as the recovery position and is an effective way to prevent choking. It helps keep the airway clear and reduces the risk of aspiration, which can lead to severe complications or even death.
Prop Them with a Pillow
When placing the person on their side, use a pillow behind them to prevent them from rolling onto their back. This ensures they remain in a stable position that minimises the risk of choking.
Stay with Them and Keep Them Awake
Do not leave the person alone, especially if they are unconscious. Stay with them and try to keep them awake. If they are awake, you can also provide sips of water to keep them hydrated, but do not offer any food.
Keep Them Warm
Alcohol poisoning can cause low body temperature, so cover the person with a warm blanket.
Remember, these steps are not a substitute for professional medical care. Call your local emergency services immediately if you suspect alcohol poisoning, as it can be life-threatening.
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Avoid cold showers
Alcohol poisoning is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. It occurs when there is so much alcohol in the bloodstream that it starts to affect life-supporting functions, such as breathing, heart rate, and consciousness. While waiting for emergency services to arrive, there are several steps you can take to ensure the safety of the affected individual. However, it is important to note that treating alcohol poisoning at home is never advised, and the affected individual should be hospitalized for proper treatment and monitoring.
One crucial instruction while caring for someone with alcohol poisoning is to avoid putting them under a cold shower. Alcohol poisoning can lower the body temperature, which could lead to hypothermia. A cold shower can further decrease the individual's already low body temperature, exacerbating the problem. Instead of a cold shower, it is recommended to place the individual in the recovery position in the nearest safe place. This involves laying them on their side to prevent choking on vomit, which is a major danger associated with alcohol poisoning.
Additionally, it is important to monitor the individual's breathing and heart rate. Alcohol poisoning can cause depressed breathing and slow heart rate. If the individual is vomiting, anti-nausea drugs can be administered to help alleviate this symptom. It is also crucial to keep the individual hydrated with intravenous fluids, as alcohol is a diuretic and can lead to dehydration.
While waiting for emergency services, refrain from giving the individual any coffee. Coffee can further dehydrate the body, and severe dehydration can even lead to permanent brain damage. Similarly, avoid making the individual vomit, as their gag reflex may not be functioning properly, increasing the risk of choking. It is also not advisable to walk the person around, as alcohol is a depressant that slows down brain function and affects balance, increasing the risk of accidents.
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Monitor vital signs
While treating alcohol poisoning at home is never advised, there are several steps you can take to ensure safety while awaiting emergency assistance. One of these steps is monitoring the person's vital signs.
Vital signs measure the basic functions of your body and include body temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiratory rate. These signs can be useful in detecting or monitoring medical problems and can be measured at home. Here are some ways to monitor vital signs at home:
Body Temperature
Body temperature can be measured using a thermometer. If using a temporal thermometer, hold it just in front of your forehead. For a traditional thermometer, insert the tip into the mouth or rectum, or place it under the armpit. The average body temperature is 98.6°F (37°C), but a healthy person's temperature can range from 97.8°F to 99.1°F (36.55°C to 37.27°C).
Blood Pressure
Blood pressure can be monitored using either an aneroid monitor or a digital monitor. The American Heart Association recommends the following guidelines for home blood pressure monitoring: refrain from smoking or drinking coffee 30 minutes beforehand, go to the bathroom, relax for five minutes, sit with your back supported and feet on the floor, place your arm on a solid flat surface with the upper part at heart level, and place the cuff directly above the bend of your elbow. Take multiple readings one minute apart and record the results.
Pulse
Pulse is your heart rate, which can be measured using a pulse oximeter that clips onto your finger. It will give you a reading in a few seconds. Alternatively, if you wear a fitness tracker, it may measure your pulse.
Respiratory Rate
Respiratory rate refers to the number of breaths you take in a minute. Sit calmly and count your breaths for a minute. A normal rate for adults is between 16 and 20 breaths per minute. A rate below 12 or above 25 breaths per minute is considered abnormal.
It is important to note that these are general guidelines for monitoring vital signs at home. If you suspect alcohol poisoning, seek immediate medical attention.
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