Effective Alcoholism and Alcohol Poisoning Treatments
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What is Alcohol Poisoning?
Alcohol poisoning occurs when there is so much alcohol in the bloodstream (blood alcohol content) that areas of the brain controlling basic life-support functions—such as breathing, heart rate, and temperature control—begin to shut down. Symptoms of alcohol poisoning include mental confusion, difficulty remaining conscious, vomiting, seizure, trouble breathing, slow heart rate, clammy skin, dulled responses such as no gag reflex (which prevents choking), and extremely low body temperature [1]. How does alcohol affect the brain? Alcohol can lead to permanent brain damage or death. Drinking alcohol causes brain damage.
Alcohol poisoning occurs when a toxic amount of alcohol has been consumed, usually in a short period of time, also known as binge drinking. A person with alcohol poisoning can appear extremely disoriented, unresponsive, or unconscious, with shallow breathing. Alcohol poisoning can be fatal and should be taken very seriously. Alcohol poisoning is a condition also known as acute alcohol intoxication.
Because of the wide availability of alcoholic beverages, alcohol poisoning is quite common – affecting almost 10 percent of adults in the United States alone, leading to an estimated annual economic cost of over $250 billion. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [2], estimates excessive alcohol use causes approximately 88,000 deaths annually in the United States.
Diagnosis of acute alcohol intoxication always demands ruling out other conditions. In moderate and severe cases, measuring blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is important. Alcohol poisoning treatments should focus on avoiding complications and managing alcohol poisoning symptoms. Management and prognosis also change depending on the degree of intoxication, and on how long alcohol stays in your system. Alcohol poisoning can be successfully prevented by abstaining from alcohol or by learning how to reduce alcohol consumption safely.
Alcohol Poisoning Symptoms
It’s essential to understand the difference between alcohol poisoning and a bad hangover. A hangover is the body’s natural response to overcoming toxins. Alcohol poisoning is a very different health event that requires rapid intervention. If you feel sick when you wake up in the morning after drinking the night before, you have a hangover. Alcohol poisoning happens while you’re still drinking heavily.
Alcohol poisoning can occur quickly over a short amount of time. When a person is drinking alcohol, one might notice different symptoms. These symptoms are connected with different stages or levels of intoxication. The levels of intoxication differ from person to person because they’re based on sex, age, weight, and other factors. But usually, the seven stages of alcohol intoxication and their symptoms include the following:
Sobriety or low-level intoxication
If a person has consumed one or fewer drinks per hour, they’re considered to be sober or low-level intoxicated. At this level of intoxication, the individual’s behavior will be normal with no visible signs of intoxication, such as delayed reaction time or slurred speech. Their blood alcohol content (BAC), which measures how much alcohol is in the bloodstream, will be very low at 0.01 to 0.05 percent.
Euphoria
If someone has generally consumed two to three drinks as a man or one to two drinks as a woman in an hour, they’ll enter the euphoric stage of intoxication.
Some symptoms include:
- A delayed reaction time
- Decreased inhibitions
- An increase in chattiness and confidence
Most individuals call this stage of intoxication being “tipsy.” A person’s blood alcohol content (BAC) at this level might range from 0.03 to 0.12 percent.
Excitement
At this stage, a man might have consumed three to five drinks in an hour or two to four drinks for a woman. At this moment, a person will begin to experience a significant loss of coordination and emotional instability.
Other symptoms include:
- A loss of judgment and memory
- Vision problems
- Loss of balance
- Drowsiness
Someone will appear visibly “drunk” at this stage. They’ll have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.09 to 0.25 percent.
Confusion
If a man consumes more than five drinks or a woman more than four drinks in an hour, they’ll enter the next level of intoxication, which is confusion. This level of intoxication is marked by emotional outbursts and a major loss of coordination. The person may stagger when walking, may not be able to stand up, and will likely be extremely confused about what’s going on.
Individuals in this stage of alcohol intoxication are very likely to forget things happening around or to them. As a result, they might experience alcohol blackout without actually losing consciousness and may not be able to feel pain. This makes them at risk of injury. At this stage, a person’s BAC is very high. It’ll range from 0.18 to 0.30 percent.
Stupor
At this level of intoxication, a person no longer responds to the things happening around or to them. They won’t be able to walk or stand. They may lose control over their bodily functions or completely pass out, vomiting uncontrollably or becoming incontinent. They may also have blue-tinged or pale skin or experience seizures. Their gag reflexes and breathing will likely be impaired. This level can be very dangerous and even deadly if an individual becomes critically injured or chokes on their vomit. Any of these symptoms are signs that immediate medical attention is necessary. At this stage, a person’s BAC will range from 0.25 to 0.4 percent.
Coma
This stage is extremely dangerous. A person’s blood circulation and breathing will be extremely slowed. Their gag reflexes and motor responses are nonfunctional, and their body temperature drops. A person at this stage is at risk of death. Their BAC will measure 0.35 to 0.45 percent. Emergency medical attention is necessary at this point to avoid death and severe health problems.
Death
At a BAC of 0.45 percent or above, a person is likely to die from alcohol poisoning. It may seem like a person has to drink a lot to get to this stage. But if a person drinks very quickly, they can get to this stage before long.
Critical Signs of Alcohol Poisoning
Know the danger signals and, if you suspect that someone has alcohol poisoning, call 911 for help immediately. Do not wait for the person to have all the symptoms and be aware that a person who has passed out can die. Don’t play doctor—cold showers, hot coffee, and walking do not reverse the effects of alcohol poisoning and could actually make things worse.
- Mental confusion, stupor
- Difficulty remaining conscious, or inability to wake up
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Slow breathing (fewer than 8 breaths per minute)
- Irregular breathing (10 seconds or more between breaths)
- Slow heart rate
- Clammy skin
- Dulled responses, such as no gag reflex (which prevents choking)
- Extremely low body temperature, bluish skin color, or paleness
While waiting for medical help to arrive:
- Be prepared to provide information to the responders, including the type and amount of alcohol the person drank; other drugs he or she took, if known; and any health information that you know about the person, such as medications currently taking, allergies to medications, and any existing health conditions.
- Do not leave an intoxicated person alone, as he or she is at risk of getting injured from falling or choking. Keep the person on the ground in a sitting or partially upright position rather than in a chair.
- Help a person who is vomiting. Have him or her lean forward to prevent choking. If a person is unconscious or lying down, roll him or her onto one side with an ear toward the ground to prevent choking.
Alcohol Poisoning Treatments
If someone has alcohol poisoning, they may need lifesaving treatment right away. In a medical setting, healthcare professionals will use:
- IV fluids: Providers give intravenous (IV) fluids to treat dehydration. Fluids can also increase blood sugar levels. IV rehydration involves a few small risks. They’re generally outweighed by the benefits, especially since severe dehydration can be life-threatening if left untreated
- Oxygen: Providers can give oxygen using a nasal cannula (flexible tube clipped to the nose). They may put a small tube into the windpipe if a person has trouble breathing. Endotracheal intubation (EI) is often an emergency procedure that’s performed on people who are unconscious or who can’t breathe on their own. EI maintains an open airway and helps prevent suffocation.
- Stomach pumping: Using a tube, healthcare providers can clear the stomach of toxins. Gastric suction, or stomach pumping, is a procedure your doctor can perform to empty the contents of your stomach quickly during an emergency. It’s also known as gastric lavage and nasogastric tube suction.
- Blood filtration: If kidneys aren’t able to do the job, providers may start dialysis to filter alcohol from the blood. Hemodialysis is the most common type of dialysis. This process uses an artificial kidney (hemodialyzer) to remove waste and extra fluid from the blood. The blood is removed from the body and filtered through the artificial kidney. The filtered blood is then returned to the body with the help of a dialysis machine.
Bacchus Maneuver
If someone passes out from drinking too much, you can help by positioning them so they will not choke on their vomit. The Bacchus maneuver below is a position to put someone in while you wait for medical personnel to arrive. It is not something to use and then leave someone hoping they will be okay. Anytime you are using the Bacchus Maneuver, you should also be calling 911.
- Raise the arm that is closest to you above their head. Prepare to roll them toward you.
- Gently roll them toward you, guarding their head against hitting the floor. The head should rest in front of the arm, not on it.
- Tilt the head up to maintain the airway. Tuck their nearest hand under the cheek to help maintain head tilt and raise the face off the floor.
- Check on them often.
If a person is intoxicated enough that they are passed out and you are concerned about them choking on their own vomit, then you should not leave them alone and immediately call 911 to have them medically assessed.
Prevention
The best way to prevent alcohol poisoning is to drink responsibly. Follow the tips below:
- Consume alcohol in moderation. Generally speaking, this is two drinks per day for men and one per day for women.
- Avoid drinking on an empty stomach. Having a full stomach may help slow the absorption of alcohol.
- Drink water. If you’re out drinking, try to stick to one drink every hour. Drink a glass of water after every couple of drinks.
- Be responsible. Keep track of how many drinks you’ve consumed. Avoid any drinks with unknown contents.
- Don’t binge drink. Avoid activities or drinking games that may pressure you to binge drink.
- Know your medications. If you’re taking any prescription or over-the-counter medications or supplements, be aware of any warnings regarding alcohol consumption.
Reclaim Your Life from Alcohol
To determine the most effective ways to treat alcohol addiction, it’s crucial to first get an accurate assessment of all the symptoms. When the symptoms have been evaluated by a mental health professional, it may be determined that another form of mental condition is present and needs a particular type of treatment. Very often, some combination of psychotherapy, medication, and/or lifestyle changes are effective for coping with functional.
Medically-Assisted Detox
Detox is often considered the first stage of treatment. It will help you navigate the complicated process of alcohol withdrawal, but it doesn’t address patterns of thought and behavior that contribute to drug abuse. Various treatment approaches and settings can help provide the ongoing support necessary to maintain long-term sobriety after you complete detox.
Cravings are very common during detox and can be challenging to overcome. This often leads to relapse. Constant medical care provided during inpatient treatment helps prevent relapse. Clinicians can provide necessary medication and medical expertise to lessen cravings and the effects of alcohol withdrawals.
Psychotherapy
Several different modalities of psychotherapy have been used in the treatment of depression including:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – an effective treatment that involves making changes in both the patterns of negative thoughts and the behavioral routines which are affecting the daily life of the depressed person for various forms of depression.
- Person Centered Therapy – a strategy that allows and encourages clients to understand and resolve their concerns in a safe, support environment.
- Solution Focused Therapy – an approach interested in solutions which can be quickly implemented with a simple first step leading to further positive consequences.
Dual Diagnosis Programs in New Jersey
Alcohol abuse and mental health disorders often co-occur. In many cases, traumatic experiences can result in a mental health disorder and alcohol abuse. Dual diagnosis rehabilitation treats both of these issues together. The best approach for the treatment of dual diagnosis is an integrated system. In this strategy, both the substance abuse problem and the mental disorder are treated simultaneously. Regardless of which diagnosis (mental health or substance abuse problem) came first, long-term recovery will depend largely on the treatment for both disorders done by the same team or provider.
Medication-Assisted Treatments
Medication-Assisted Treatments (MAT) for substance use disorders and mental health disorders are commonly used in conjunction with one another. This includes the use of medications and other medical procedures. During your rehab, the staff from your treatment facility will help you identify what caused your addiction and teach you skills that will help you change your behavior patterns and challenge the negative thoughts that led to your addiction. Sometimes, the pressures and problems in your life lead you to rely on substances to help you forget about them momentarily.
Alcohol poisoning is a medical emergency. It can lead to complications such as choking, brain damage, and even death. Prompt alcohol poisoning treatments can help prevent these complications from occurring. If an alcoholic decides to stop drinking, they may alcohol experience withdrawal effects such as anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, and tremors. The development of tolerance and withdrawal are indications of addiction. If you or a loved one are struggling with long-term alcohol abuse and a co-occurring mental health condition such as anxiety and depression, contact one of our helpful treatment specialists today. We Level Up New Jersey rehab center can provide information on dual diagnosis and detox programs that may fit your specific needs.
