How to help someone who has alcohol poisoning

Ethanol intoxication affects every walk of life, all ages, and all social classes with potentially devastating consequences. Alcohol in various forms can be found in beverages, hand sanitizers, perfumes, aftershaves, and mouthwashes.

There are a wide range of symptoms related to alcohol poisoning, and there is a wide range of variability in how much alcohol constitutes poisoning. The medical status and other medications or street drugs can affect a person’s response to alcohol. When is it time to take someone with alcohol poisoning in for medical treatment? People should be seen in the emergency room who are unable to walk or control their bladder, unresponsive, hallucinating, vomiting blood, or agitated. People who are suicidal or depressed should always be seen in the emergency room.

If you have questions about your situation, call the poison center at 1-800-222-1222 to help you.


Do

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  • keep the person calm
  • give the person a sweet snack if they are awake and not vomiting
  • keep them awake
  • keep them warm
  • seek medical help
Don't

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  • force the patient to vomit
  • overload them with caffeine
  • leave them alone or let them sleep it off
  • give them any medication
  • allow them to drive or operate any type of machinery

[publishpress_authors_data]'s recommendation to ExpertBeacon readers: Do

Do keep the person calm

Some people will get wild or agitated when they are drunk. Try to keep them calm so they don’t hurt themselves or anyone else. If you are unable to do this, call 911 for help.

Do give the person a sweet snack if they are awake and not vomiting

Getting them to eat a sweet snack will keep the blood sugar from dropping and can slow the absorption of alcohol. Alcohol will absorb relatively quickly on an empty stomach. A slower rate will lower the peak alcohol concentration.

Do keep them awake

People are more likely to continue breathing if they are awake. If they are able to walk, keep them walking. This will stimulate breathing and circulation and keep their blood pressure up.

Do keep them warm

Alcohol can lower the body temperature. If they are cold, use blankets. However, be sure not to overheat them, and instead just keep them comfortable.

Do seek medical help

A trained medical professional like a poison control representative can answer questions and get you the help you need to handle the situation 24 hours daily. If you feel like to situation is out of your control, contact 911 immediately so that an ambulance can help. You can contact poison control at 1-800-222-1222.


[publishpress_authors_data]'s professional advice to ExpertBeacon readers: Don't

Do not force the patient to vomit

If they are not fully awake, they can choke on their vomit, which could result in pneumonia. If the person does vomit, keep them upright. If they are lying down, turn their head to the side to prevent choking.

Do not overload them with caffeine

Overloading them with too much caffeine will result in an awake drunk person. Caffeine does not deactivate or reverse alcohol poisoning, nor does it make the alcohol wear off sooner, and it can increase the likelihood of vomiting.

Do not leave them alone or let them sleep it off

If they pass out, they can forget to breathe. They may not be aware of their surroundings or understand where they are or who they are with, and may be unpredictable on how they react to any given situation.

Do not give them any medication

Many medications will interact with alcohol and can complicate the situation. Some medications may harm them despite it being given with good intentions. It is best to let the physician give them what they need without causing undue harm.

Do not allow them to drive or operate any type of machinery

The effects of drinking and driving are well documented, and the drunk driver may harm themselves or others.


Summary

No one reacts in the same way to a given amount of alcohol. Medications, street drugs, and medical status can affect the person’s response to alcohol. If you think someone has been poisoned by alcohol or any other agent, call the poison center at 1-800-222-1222, or contact 911 if they are unresponsive and need an ambulance right away.

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