Alcohol poisoning
When to seek medical help
If you suspect alcohol poisoning, dial 999 immediately to request an ambulance. While you're waiting:
- try to keep them sitting up and awake
- give them water if they can drink it
- if they've passed out, lie them on their side in the recovery position and check they're breathing properly
- keep them warm
- stay with them and monitor their symptoms
Never leave a person alone to 'sleep it off'.The level ofalcohol in a person's blood can continue to rise for up to 30-40 minutes after their last drink. This can cause their symptoms to suddenly become much more severe.
You also shouldn't give them coffee or any more alcohol, put them under a cold shower or walk them around. These won't help someone 'sober up' and may even be dangerous.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Read about alcohol poisoning, which occurs when a person drinks a toxic amount of alcohol, usually over a short period of time. This is often known as binge drinking.
Signs and symptoms of alcohol poisoning
Thesigns and symptoms of alcohol poisoning include: confusion severely slurred speech loss of co-ordination vomiting irregular or slow breathing hypothermia (pale orblue-tinged skin caused
When to seek medical help
If you suspect alcohol poisoning, dial 999 immediately to request an ambulance. While you're waiting: try to keep them sitting up and awake give them water if they can drink it if they've passed o
How alcohol poisoning is treated in hospital
Inhospital, the person will be carefully monitored until the alcohol has left their system. If treatment is required,this may include: inserting a tube into their mouth and windpipe (intubation) to
Dangers of alcohol poisoning
If a person is poisoned by alcohol theycould: choke on their vomit stop breathing have a heart attack inhale vomit, leading to fatal lung damage become severely dehydrated , which can cause per
How alcohol poisoning occurs
Every time you drink alcohol, your liver has to filter it out of your blood. Alcohol is absorbed quickly into your body (much quicker than food), but the body can only process around one unit of alcoh
The effects of alcohol
Around 1-2 units your heart rate will speed up and your blood vesselswill expand you get the warm, sociable feeling associated with moderate drinking Around 4-6 units your decision making and j
Signs and symptoms of alcohol poisoning
Thesigns and symptoms of alcohol poisoning include: confusion severely slurred speech loss of co-ordination vomiting irregular or slow breathing hypothermia (pale orblue-tinged skin caused
Recommended alcohol limits
If you drink most weeks, to reduce your risk of harming your health: men and women are advised not to regularly drink more than 14 units a week spread your drinking over three days or moreif you dr
When to seek medical help
If you suspect alcohol poisoning, dial 999 immediately to request an ambulance. While you're waiting: try to keep them sitting up and awake give them water if they can drink it if they've passed o
How alcohol poisoning is treated in hospital
Inhospital, the person will be carefully monitored until the alcohol has left their system. If treatment is required,this may include: inserting a tube into their mouth and windpipe (intubation) to
Dangers of alcohol poisoning
If a person is poisoned by alcohol theycould: choke on their vomit stop breathing have a heart attack inhale vomit, leading to fatal lung damage become severely dehydrated , which can cause per
How alcohol poisoning occurs
Every time you drink alcohol, your liver has to filter it out of your blood. Alcohol is absorbed quickly into your body (much quicker than food), but the body can only process around one unit of alcoh
The effects of alcohol
Around 1-2 units your heart rate will speed up and your blood vesselswill expand you get the warm, sociable feeling associated with moderate drinking Around 4-6 units your decision making and j
Recommended alcohol limits
If you drink most weeks, to reduce your risk of harming your health: men and women are advised not to regularly drink more than 14 units a week spread your drinking over three days or moreif you dr
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