Arielle Cruz
Alcohol intoxication, commonly referred to as drunkenness or inebriation, is caused by the recent consumption of alcohol, leading to a range of physical and behavioural symptoms. Alcohol poisoning, or overdose, is a severe form of intoxication that can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. The signs and symptoms of alcohol intoxication vary depending on the amount of alcohol consumed, the rate of consumption, and individual factors such as age, sex, and weight. Understanding these signs is crucial to recognising when someone needs urgent medical care.
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What You'll Learn
Alcohol poisoning
The signs and symptoms of alcohol poisoning can vary between individuals and are influenced by factors such as age, sex, weight, and alcohol tolerance. However, some general symptoms of alcohol poisoning include mental confusion, difficulty remaining conscious, vomiting, seizures, trouble breathing, slow heart rate, clammy skin, dulled responses (including no gag reflex), and extremely low body temperature. It is important to note that even small increases in blood alcohol concentration (BAC) can impair an individual's motor coordination, induce nausea, and impair judgment, increasing the risk of harm.
While waiting for professional help, if the person is unconscious, gently turn them on their side to prevent choking on vomit. If they are conscious, encourage them to lie on their side in a safe place and, if they can swallow, give them water to drink. It is important not to try to treat alcohol poisoning at home or wait for the person to "sleep it off." This is a dangerous myth that can lead to severe health complications or even death.
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Mental confusion
At higher levels of intoxication, mental confusion can be accompanied by other symptoms such as difficulty remaining conscious, vomiting, seizures, trouble breathing, slow heart rate, and dulled responses. The person may also experience blackouts or gaps in memory, as well as a loss of consciousness or passing out. In severe cases, mental confusion due to alcohol intoxication can lead to permanent brain damage or even death.
The risk of mental confusion and other symptoms of alcohol intoxication varies from person to person and depends on factors such as age, sex, weight, and individual metabolism. Additionally, certain social situations and impulsive personality traits can also contribute to the risk of intoxication and the development of mental confusion. It is important to seek immediate medical help for anyone displaying symptoms of alcohol intoxication, including mental confusion, to prevent potential health complications.
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Impaired coordination
At low levels of intoxication, individuals may exhibit mild sedation and poor coordination. As BAC increases, there is a significant impairment in motor coordination, which can increase the risk of harm. Individuals may experience difficulty walking steadily, and their movements may become uncoordinated and unpredictable. They may also have difficulty with tasks requiring fine motor skills, such as buttoning a shirt or using a key. Impaired coordination can lead to an increased risk of injury from falls or accidents.
At higher levels of intoxication, individuals may experience more severe motor impairments. Their movements may become slow and laboured, and they may have difficulty maintaining balance. In some cases, individuals may lose the ability to walk or stand unassisted. They may also experience difficulty with basic tasks such as swallowing, which can increase the risk of choking. Impaired coordination at this level can be life-threatening, as individuals may be unable to protect themselves from harm or seek help in an emergency.
Alcohol intoxication can also impact coordination by affecting an individual's ability to make decisions and control impulses. This can lead to risky behaviours, such as engaging in unsafe activities or consuming more alcohol than intended. Additionally, impaired coordination can make it difficult for individuals to accurately assess their level of intoxication, which can further increase the risk of alcohol-related harm. It is important to seek medical attention if someone is displaying signs of severe intoxication, as prompt treatment can help prevent serious health complications.
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Slowed breathing
Alcohol intoxication, commonly referred to as drunkenness or inebriation, is caused by the recent consumption of alcohol. At lower doses, symptoms of alcohol intoxication may include mild sedation, poor coordination, slurred speech, unsteady walking/movement, uncontrolled eye movement, attention or memory impairment, or near unconsciousness.
As alcohol intoxication progresses, an individual may experience significant impairments in motor coordination, decision-making, and impulse control. They may also exhibit slowed responses and slowed breathing, which are signs of alcohol poisoning. Slowed breathing is a dangerous symptom as it indicates that the areas of the brain controlling vital functions, such as the breath, are being affected. This can ultimately lead to respiratory failure and death.
When an intoxicated person's breathing becomes extremely slowed, it is a sign of an alcohol overdose. At this stage, a person's blood circulation will also be extremely slowed, and they may experience a drop in body temperature. Their motor responses and gag reflexes may be nonfunctional, putting them at risk of choking on their vomit. These symptoms indicate a medical emergency, and the person should be taken to a hospital immediately.
While waiting for professional medical care, there are some steps you can take to help an individual with slowed breathing due to alcohol intoxication. First, if the person is unconscious, gently turn them on their side to prevent choking on vomit. If they are conscious, encourage them to lie on their side in a safe place. If they are able to swallow, give them water to drink, and stay with them until medical help arrives. It is important to note that a person with alcohol intoxication should not be left alone, as they are at risk of injury from falling or choking.
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Hypoglycaemia
Alcohol can cause hypoglycaemia, or low blood sugar, more easily in people with diabetes. This is because the liver, which plays a vital role in stabilising glucose levels, must choose between balancing blood sugar and detoxifying alcohol. If the liver is occupied detoxifying alcohol, it cannot release stored glycogen into the bloodstream, causing hypoglycaemia. Alcohol can also interfere with the effectiveness of diabetes medications such as insulin and sulfonylureas.
People with diabetes who take insulin or other medications are at a higher risk of developing hypoglycaemia overnight if they do not eat enough carbohydrates before going to bed. This is because the liver will be affected by alcohol for several hours after drinking, and alcoholic drinks such as beer, cider, and liqueurs contain carbohydrates that may cause blood sugar levels to rise initially but drop later. Therefore, it is recommended that people with diabetes monitor their blood sugar levels closely before, during, and after drinking alcohol.
Drinking alcohol without eating, or drinking on an empty stomach, increases the risk of hypoglycaemia because the liver cannot release glucose into the bloodstream. Doctors recommend eating enough carbohydrates before and while drinking alcohol to prevent low blood sugar. However, eating before drinking does not guarantee that blood sugar levels will not drop. People should also avoid strenuous activities on the same day they consume alcohol, as an increase in activity raises insulin sensitivity and increases the risk of hypoglycaemia.
The symptoms of hypoglycaemia include slurred speech, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty walking, which are also signs of intoxication. Therefore, it can be challenging to tell whether someone is hypoglycaemic or drunk, and the two conditions can occur simultaneously. Untreated hypoglycaemia can lead to severe and long-term health problems, including loss of consciousness and coma, so it is important to seek immediate medical attention if hypoglycaemia is suspected.
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Frequently asked questions
Alcohol intoxication can cause alterations in a person's consciousness, cognition, perception, judgment, affect, or behaviour. These symptoms can vary between people and depend on the severity of intoxication. Some common signs of alcohol intoxication include:
- Lack of coordination and psychomotor skills
- Impaired attention, memory, and judgment
- Reduction in responsiveness, alertness, and reaction time
- Emotional instability
- Slurred speech
- Nausea and vomiting
- Confusion
The rate of alcohol intake affects the body’s ability to cope. The faster alcohol is ingested, the higher the risk of intoxication. Other factors that can influence the effects of alcohol include previous food intake, hydration level, body weight, underlying conditions, and medications.
An alcohol overdose, also known as alcohol poisoning, occurs when there is a high amount of alcohol in the bloodstream, causing areas of the brain that control basic life-support functions such as breathing, heart rate, and temperature control to shut down. Symptoms of an alcohol overdose include mental confusion, vomiting, seizures, trouble breathing, slow heart rate, and extremely low body temperature. Alcohol overdose can lead to permanent brain damage or death.
Diagnosis of alcohol intoxication requires ruling out other potential conditions. Measuring blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is essential in moderate to severe cases. Healthcare professionals may also check for alterations in consciousness, cognition, perception, judgment, affect, or behaviour, and may interview witnesses to the person's alcohol consumption.
