Theo Nash
Alcohol intoxication can be dangerous and even life-threatening. When helping someone who is intoxicated, it is crucial to remain calm and composed. The first step is to assess the situation and determine if the person is experiencing an alcohol overdose or alcohol poisoning, which can lead to severe health complications and even death. If the person exhibits symptoms such as mental confusion, difficulty remaining conscious, vomiting, seizures, slow heart rate, or irregular breathing, it is essential to call emergency services immediately. While waiting for help, it is important to keep the person in a safe position, such as on their side with a pillow behind their back, to prevent choking if they vomit. It is also crucial to monitor their breathing and keep them awake. Once the person has sobered up, it is advisable to express your concerns about their drinking and offer support.
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What You'll Learn
Recognise the signs of alcohol intoxication
Recognising the signs of alcohol intoxication is crucial to keeping the affected person safe and helping them sober up. Alcohol intoxication can vary in severity and intensity, depending on factors such as age, tolerance, sex, speed of drinking, medications, and the amount of food eaten. Being able to identify the signs can help you provide appropriate assistance and prevent the situation from escalating into a dangerous scenario.
One of the most common signs of alcohol intoxication is a noticeable shift in mood and behaviour. The person under the influence of alcohol may exhibit irritability, aggression, or physical illness. They might also experience clouded judgment, decreased motor coordination, and nausea. If you observe any of these signs, it is important to intervene and ensure the person's safety.
As alcohol intoxication intensifies, the affected individual may start to exhibit signs of alcohol overdose or alcohol poisoning. This occurs when there is a high level of alcohol in the bloodstream, impairing vital functions such as breathing, heart rate, and temperature control. Symptoms of alcohol overdose include mental confusion, difficulty remaining conscious, vomiting, seizures, slow heart rate, clammy skin, and extremely low body temperature. Recognising these signs is crucial, as alcohol overdose can lead to permanent brain damage or even death.
If you suspect that someone is severely intoxicated and exhibiting signs of alcohol overdose, it is essential to call for emergency medical help immediately. Do not wait for the person to exhibit all the symptoms, and be aware that their condition can deteriorate rapidly. While waiting for emergency services to arrive, there are several important steps you can take to ensure the person's safety. Place the person in the recovery position, on their side with a pillow supporting their back. This position helps prevent choking if they vomit. Stay with the person and keep them awake, and provide sips of water if they are conscious. Keep them warm with a blanket, as alcohol poisoning can cause low body temperature.
It is important to remember that you should not attempt to treat alcohol intoxication at home or let the person "sleep it off." Common misconceptions suggest remedies such as coffee, showers, or large meals, but these are ineffective and can even make the situation worse. Instead, focus on keeping the person safe, comfortable, and monitored until professional help arrives.
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Prevent choking
If someone is intoxicated with alcohol, they are at risk of choking on their vomit. This is because alcohol affects the gag reflex, which prevents choking. Alcohol is also an irritant to the stomach, so excessive drinking can cause vomiting. If a person is unconscious due to intoxication, they may choke on their vomit and asphyxiate. Therefore, it is important to prevent choking by:
- Keeping the person on their side: If they vomit, they will not choke on it. This is known as the Bacchus Maneuver. To do this, first, raise the arm closest to you above their head. Then, gently roll them towards you, guarding their head so that it rests in front of the arm, not on it. Finally, tilt their head up to maintain an airway.
- Keeping them awake: If they are awake, they are less likely to vomit.
- Keeping them sitting or partially upright: If they are sitting, they are less likely to choke on their vomit.
- Keeping them away from alcohol: If they continue to drink, they are more likely to vomit.
- Keeping them away from other drugs: Ingesting alcohol and other drugs together can produce an overdose with even moderate amounts of alcohol.
- Keeping them warm: Alcohol poisoning can cause low body temperature, so keeping them warm can help prevent this.
If someone is intoxicated, it is important to call 911 or take them to the nearest emergency room. Do not leave them alone, as they are at risk of choking.
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Monitor vital signs
If someone is severely intoxicated, it is important to monitor their vital signs and ensure they do not slip into unconsciousness. Here are some steps to follow:
- Breathing: Monitor their breathing pattern and rate. Watch for slowed or irregular breathing, such as a respiration rate of eight or fewer breaths per minute or lapses between breaths of more than 10 seconds. If they are unconscious, wake them often to ensure they are responsive and their breathing is stable.
- Heart Rate: Check their pulse and be alert for a slow heart rate. A pulse rate lower than 40 beats per minute is considered a medical emergency.
- Skin Condition: Observe their skin for any changes. Signs of concern include cold, clammy, pale, or bluish skin.
- Body Temperature: Alcohol poisoning can lead to a low body temperature. Keep them warm with a blanket and monitor their temperature to prevent hypothermia.
- Level of Consciousness: Assess their level of consciousness and responsiveness. Are they able to respond to questions or stimuli? Can they walk or stand without assistance? Monitor for any sudden changes in their level of consciousness.
- Vomiting: Repeated episodes of vomiting are a cause for concern, especially if they are sleeping or unconscious and not waking up when vomiting. This can lead to aspiration, so ensure they are on their side to prevent choking.
Remember, if at any point you suspect an alcohol overdose or their condition deteriorates, call emergency services immediately. Do not wait for them to exhibit all the symptoms, as immediate medical attention can be life-saving.
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Get medical help
If someone is severely intoxicated, it is important to seek medical help immediately. Alcohol overdose occurs when there is a high amount of alcohol in the bloodstream, which causes the areas of the brain that control vital functions such as breathing, heart rate, and temperature control to shut down. This can lead to permanent brain damage or even death.
The first step is to recognize the signs of severe intoxication, which can include mental confusion, difficulty remaining conscious, vomiting, seizures, slow heart rate, clammy skin, and dulled responses. If the person exhibits any of these symptoms, it is crucial to call for emergency medical assistance. While waiting for help to arrive, there are several things you can do to help the person:
- Keep them in a safe and comfortable position: Place them on their side with a pillow behind their back, also known as the recovery position. This will help prevent them from choking if they vomit.
- Monitor their breathing: Wake them often to ensure they are still breathing and have not slipped into unconsciousness.
- Keep them hydrated: If they are awake, give them small amounts of water to sip. Do not give them anything to drink if they are unconscious, as they could choke.
- Keep them warm: Alcohol poisoning can cause low body temperature, so cover them with a blanket to help regulate their temperature.
It is important to stay with the person until medical help arrives and to provide any relevant information to the responders, including the type and amount of alcohol consumed, any drugs or medications taken, and any known health conditions.
Remember, do not try to treat alcohol overdose at home or let the person "sleep it off." Always seek professional medical help as soon as possible.
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Ensure they get home safe
If someone is intoxicated, it is important to ensure they get home safe. This means that you should not let them drive, ride a bike, or go home alone. If they are severely intoxicated, it is crucial to ensure they do not slip into unconsciousness. Monitor their breathing, and wake them often to ensure they are still responsive. Remember that their blood alcohol content (BAC) can rise during sleep and put them at more risk.
If you cannot get them to their home, have them stay with you for the night. This way, they can sober up in a protected environment and go home the next morning. If you cannot stay with them, make sure another sober person can.
If the intoxicated person needs to lie down, place them in the recovery position on their side with a pillow supporting their back. This will help prevent them from rolling onto their back or stomach, reducing the risk of choking on vomit. Keep them warm with a blanket, as alcohol poisoning can cause low body temperature.
If the person needs to leave your company, such as to use the bathroom, accompany them. Do not let them drink any more alcohol, and provide them with food and water instead.
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Frequently asked questions
First, assess the situation and determine if the person is in any danger or if you are at risk. If the person is severely intoxicated, ensure they do not slip into unconsciousness. If they start sleeping, monitor their breathing and wake them often. Keep them in a sitting or partially upright position, and do not leave them alone. Next, stop any further alcohol consumption and provide food and water. Do not try home remedies such as coffee or a cold shower, as these could make things worse. If you think the person has alcohol poisoning, get them medical help as soon as possible. Call 911 or take them to the nearest emergency room.
A person who is drunk will often behave very differently from how they do when sober. They may seem irritable or aggressive, or they could be physically ill. They may also have trouble walking or talking.
Alcohol poisoning occurs when there is so much alcohol in the bloodstream that areas of the brain controlling vital functions such as breathing, heart rate, and temperature control begin to shut down. It can lead to permanent brain damage or death. It typically happens when someone consumes a large amount of alcohol in a short amount of time, but it can also occur due to non-beverage alcohol such as mouthwash or cough medicine.
