Learn All You Need to Know About Alcohol Poisoning

Alcohol Poisoning Signs & Symptoms

Alcohol poisoning is a killer which not enough people seem to be talking about these days. However, it should be getting discussed all over this country. Alcohol usage keeps rising every single day, leading many people into a path of high risk drinking, now more than ever before in the U.S. This dangerous trend is becoming more prevalent amid underage drinkers, adults, and even women who are pregnant. Most people who abuse alcohol don’t grasp the fact they could possibly lose their lives.

In part, this epidemic is due to people drinking excessively while they socialize and while they are partying with friends and family. It is important to drink only in moderation. Many experts say a woman should only have one alcohol drink a day and a men can have two. If you drink more than the amount recommended by these experts you could be facing more than just a hangover. Drinking more than advised could lead to severe alcohol poisoning and death.

Details about Alcohol Poisoning

You are probably wondering what exactly is alcohol poisoning? Alcohol poisoning happens when too much alcohol gets into your bloodstream. This could happen if you drink an excessive amount of alcohol within a short frame of time. Excessive drinking usually happens with binge or heavy drinking. Many experts consider binge drinking when a woman has four drinks and a man has five in one particular sitting. Most experts say heavy drinking is when a woman has eight drinks and a man has fifteen drinks during one week. There is a lot of research out there which indicates the use of moderate alcohol can be good for heart. This may be true, but alcohol can affect other areas of your body including the following:

Could lead to several types of cancers
Weakens the liver
Causes liver disease
Impairs coordination
Leads to depression
Damage to the pancreas
Hurts the digestive system
Cripples the immune system
Leaves you in danger of contracting other diseases
Induces high blood pressure

In addition to long term effects, there are several short term effects associated with alcohol consumption including blackouts, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, vision issues, slurred speech, and headaches. You just found out about the effects which come from consuming too much alcohol. Alcohol is a depressant. Alcohol poisoning comes into play by depressing your normal body functions. It can give you breathing issues and may even cause you to go into a coma.

Alcohol Poisoning Symptoms

Toxicity or alcohol poisoning happens when your BAC, blood alcohol concentration, goes very high. If a person drinks responsibly, their BAC is usually between .001 and .060. If your blood alcohol concentration is between these levels most likely you will feel happier, more talkative, relaxed, and at ease. However, if you go beyond the .060 level you will probably feel a state of euphoria, be in less pain, make rash decisions, and take more risks. In most areas of the United States, if your BAC reaches .080 you will be at the legal intoxication level.

When you reach the legal level and choose to drive, police can arrest you for driving under the influence of alcohol. An average person who weighs approximately 150 pounds and has a BAC of 0.150 has close to 5 liters of alcohol in their system. This is the point where most people begin to feel nauseous and start to vomit.

Most experts say toxicity begins when a person’s blood alcohol concentration is around 0.250 and upwards. At this stage, people tend to experience blackouts due to the alcohol depressing their central nervous system. If you have a BAC ranging close to 0.400, the suppression on your central nervous system is so severe it is possible that you could fall into a coma or die. At 0.450 you are highly at risk of severe alcohol poisoning which could result in death.

Alcohol Poisoning Compared to Hangovers

Many people who drink will experience a hangover. The hangovers often occur when your BAC drops down to zero. With a hangover, most people wake up the next day feeling terrible. Some of the symptoms of a hangover include the following:

Dizziness
Headache
Intense fatigue
Weakness
Lethargy
Upset stomach
Bloodshot eyes
Moodiness
Muscle aches
Pains

These are only some of the symptoms of a hangover. However, you may experience other ones, as well. The symptoms you experience with a hangover go away within a short amount of time without you having to seek medical attention. On the other hand, the symptoms of alcohol poisoning are more severe and most likely will require medical care.

Alcoholism is a result of excessive drinking. It often occurs when a person becomes addicted to this type of substance. As you have learned, excessive drinking can cause great damage to your body, mind, and soul. It could even cause death. However, if you are struggling with an alcohol addiction there is help. Your best option is to contact an alcohol addiction facility and join a program today.

Medical disclaimer:

Sunshine Behavioral Health strives to help people who are facing substance use disorder, addiction, mental health disorders, or a combination of these conditions. It does this by providing compassionate care and evidence-based content that addresses health, treatment, and recovery.

Licensed medical professionals review material we publish on our site. The material is not a substitute for qualified medical diagnoses, treatment, or advice. It should not be used to replace the suggestions of your personal physician or other health care professionals.