The Health Risks of Drinking Too Much Too Quickly
Alcohol poisoning can be caused by consuming large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time. Also referred to as an alcohol overdose, alcohol poisoning can be serious or even deadly. It is important to recognize the signs and symptoms that you or another person may have alcohol poisoning.
According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of alcohol poisoning include:
- Confusion
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Slow or irregular breathing
- Blue-tinged or pale skin
- Hypothermia or low body temperature
- Lack of consciousness
When someone drinks too much alcohol in a short period of time their body can struggle to get rid of the toxin. Alcohol poisoning can cause serious health problems and puts an individual at an increased risk of choking on their own vomit, asphyxiation, dehydration, seizures, hypothermia, brain damage, and worse.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on average, 6 people die of alcohol poisoning in the United States every date. The vast majority (76%) of alcohol poisoning deaths are 35 to 64 years old. Alcohol poisoning deaths are more common in men than in women. Alaska leads the nation with the most alcohol poisoning deaths per million people.
When to Seek Medical Attention
It is important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible if alcohol poisoning is suspected. At any point that a person cannot be woken up or begins to exhibit slow breathing (fewer than 8 breaths per minute) or irregular breathing (10 seconds or more between breaths), you should get professional help.
Waiting too long to get medical care can result in long-term damage or death. People who fall unconscious as a result of consuming too much alcohol can inhale their own vomit causing a “fatal interruption of breathing (asphyxiation).”