Many people like alcoholic drinks at certain times. However, excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages in a short period of time can lead to alcohol poisoning. The condition can affect the body's ability to function properly and, in fact, can lead to death. By recognizing the signs and treating alcohol poisoning, and consuming alcohol responsibly, you can avoid serious health risks or, even, death.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Recognizing the Signs of Alcohol Poisoning
Step 1. Be aware of the risk of alcohol poisoning that you can experience
Alcohol poisoning can be caused by binge drinking patterns, consumption of alcoholic beverages as much as (at least) 4 glasses/serving for women and 5 glasses/serving for men within a period of two hours. However, there are also several factors that can increase the risk of alcohol poisoning, such as:
- Body size, weight, and overall health condition
- Food consumed before consuming alcoholic beverages
- Use of drugs
- Percentage of alcohol in drinks consumed
- Frequency and amount of alcohol consumption
- Alcohol tolerance level. This tolerance level can decrease drastically when the air temperature is high. This tolerance also decreases when you are dehydrated or physically exhausted.
Step 2. Monitor the level of alcohol consumption
As much as possible, pay attention to the level of consumption of alcoholic beverages that you and your friends do. This way, it will be easier for you to recognize the signs and symptoms of alcohol poisoning. You can also contact medical personnel more easily and, in fact, reduce the risk of alcohol poisoning. Equation of alcohol content with one serving/glass of drink can be explained (approximately) as follows:
- 355 ml of regular beer contains about 5% alcohol
- 237-266 ml malt-based alcoholic drinks contain about 7% alcohol
- 148 ml of wine contains about 12% alcohol
- 44 ml of 80 proof liquor contains about 40% alcohol. Some examples of these liquors include gin, rum, tequila, whiskey, and vodka.
Step 3. Observe the physical symptoms that are felt
Alcohol poisoning is often characterized by certain physical symptoms that need attention. There are some physical symptoms to watch out for, but keep in mind that alcohol poisoning doesn't always (and doesn't have to) be characterized by all of them. Symptoms of alcohol poisoning include:
- Throws up
- convulsions
- Breathing with a slow rhythm (characterized by eight inhalations and exhalations in one minute)
- Unusual breathing rhythm (characterized by, for example, more than 10 inhalations and exhalations per minute)
- Skin color that looks pale or bluish
- Hypothermia (decreased body temperature)
- Faint
Step 4. Watch for cognitive signs that may appear
In addition to physical symptoms, alcohol poisoning can also be characterized by cognitive signs. There are a few things you (and your friends) need to pay attention to, such as:
- Feeling confused
- Stupor (low level of unconsciousness)
- Coma or loss of consciousness
- Inability to wake up
- Loss of orientation or balance
Step 5. Get help right away
Alcohol poisoning is an emergency and can have serious consequences or risks, including death. If you suspect that someone is drinking too much alcohol, stay away from the drink and seek medical attention immediately. If you don't seek help right away, there are several risks or serious medical conditions that may occur, such as:
- Choking when vomiting
- Breathing that slows or stops
- Cardiac arrhythmias or unusual heart rate patterns
- Stopped heartbeat
- Hypothermia or decreased body temperature
- Hypoglycemia or decreased blood sugar levels (may cause seizures)
- Severe dehydration caused by vomiting can lead to seizures, permanent brain damage, and death
- Acute pancreatitis
- Death
Part 2 of 3: Getting Alcohol Poisoning Treated
Step 1. Seek emergency medical services
Call emergency medical services or take the victim to the nearest hospital if you suspect he has alcohol poisoning, even if he shows no signs or symptoms of poisoning. This is done to ensure the victim does not show or experience other more serious conditions (and, worst of all, die). In addition, he can also get the treatment needed to deal with alcohol poisoning.
- Do not drive if you have consumed alcoholic beverages. Call the emergency services number 112, the poisoning treatment service (022-4250767) or a taxi to go to the hospital.
- Provide any information that can assist the medical provider or doctor in dealing with you or the victim of poisoning. The information includes, for example, the type or amount of alcoholic beverages consumed, and when they were consumed.
- If you're afraid to seek medical help for someone because you're underage drinking, try to put those fears aside and contact medical services for help. While you may be afraid to get into trouble with the police or your parents for drinking underage, not seeking help for a poisoning victim can have far more serious consequences, including death.
Step 2. Monitor the victim until the party or medical personnel arrive
While waiting for emergency medical services to arrive (or while on your way to the hospital), keep an eye on the victim you suspect has alcohol poisoning. By observing any signs of poisoning or bodily functions that he exhibits, you can reduce the risk of serious injury or death, and allow you to provide significant information to medical services.
Step 3. Stay with the unconscious victim
If you are with an unconscious victim of alcohol poisoning, stay with him. This is to make sure he doesn't vomit until he chokes or stops breathing.
- Do not force or encourage him to vomit as this may cause him to choke.
- If he loses consciousness or faints, lay him on his side (recovery position) to reduce the risk of choking if he vomits at any time.
Step 4. Help the victim if she vomits
If the person you suspect is poisoned is vomiting, help and hold him or her so that he can sit up straight. This can reduce the risk of choking when vomiting, or even death.
- If he needs to lie down, put him on his side (recovery position) so he doesn't choke.
- Try to keep him awake to reduce the risk of losing consciousness.
- If he can still drink, give him water to reduce the risk of dehydration.
Step 5. Keep her body warm
Wrap the body with a blanket, coat, or other items to keep the body warm. This can prevent him from going into shock and make him feel more comfortable.
Step 6. Don't take any particular "help" step or technique
There are a number of things that you may feel can help a poisoning victim recover. However, these things are actually quite dangerous. The following will not relieve the symptoms of poisoning and, in fact, can make the situation worse:
- Drinking coffee
- Cold shower
- Strolling
- Consuming more alcoholic beverages
Step 7. Get treatment for poisoning in a hospital
After he is rushed to the hospital, he will undergo an evaluation and treatment for alcohol poisoning. The doctor on duty will examine the symptoms that appear and continue to monitor the condition of the victim. Treatment for alcohol poisoning includes several things, including:
- Insertion of a breathing tube or tube in the mouth and trachea (called intubation) to open the airways or airways, assist breathing, and clear blockages.
- Insertion of an infusion tube into a vein to regulate body fluids, blood sugar, and vitamin levels.
- Insertion of a catheter into the bladder.
- Abdominal pumping, which involves inserting a tube or tube into the nose and mouth and introducing fluids into the body.
- Acceptance of oxygen therapy.
- Hemodialysis, a medical step to filter waste and toxins from the body.
Part 3 of 3: Consume Alcoholic Drinks Responsibly
Step 1. Learn about alcohol consumption
If you enjoy drinking alcohol, gradually your alcohol tolerance will increase and, in fact, you can become addicted. However, by consuming alcoholic beverages carefully and in limited quantities, you can enjoy alcoholic beverages without becoming addicted.
- Alcohol tolerance refers to the body's ability to adapt to the consumption of certain amounts of alcoholic beverages (eg a glass/can of beer or a glass of wine).
- Alcohol dependence refers to the consistent and compulsive consumption of alcoholic beverages. In addition, this dependence is also characterized by the desire to consume alcoholic beverages so that the body can function properly.
Step 2. Estimate the amount of alcohol you can tolerate
Determine what your tolerance level for alcohol is like. This way, you can stop drinking to excess and prevent alcohol poisoning from occurring.
Calculate your tolerance level based on the number of alcoholic beverages you normally drink. For example, if you are not used to drinking alcohol or only drink a few drinks a week, your tolerance level may be quite low. However, if you consume more, your tolerance level will also increase
Step 3. Stick to reasonable drinking rules
Consumption of alcoholic beverages by following the rules of reasonable/normal consumption. In this way, you can reduce your risk of alcohol dependence or poisoning.
- Women should not consume more than 2-3 units of alcoholic beverages a day.
- Men should not consume more than 3-4 units of alcoholic beverages a day.
- The alcohol unit is calculated based on the percentage of alcohol contained in the drink and the amount/number of drinks consumed. For example, a bottle of wine has 9-10 units of alcohol.
- Don't get carried away when you want to have an extra drink or two (and make sure you stick to the rules). For example, try to consume just one extra drink than usual. If you never drink alcohol, try drinking only one alcoholic drink (or even half a glass). For wine or other liquors, try to consume only one and a half or two glasses.
- Drink water when you're drinking alcohol to lessen the "temptation" to drink because other friends are drinking (often, the temptation reflexively affects you). In addition, water can maintain body fluids when you enjoy alcoholic beverages.
Step 4. Stop drinking alcohol in the first place
Pay attention to the amount of alcoholic beverages you consume and stop consuming them early if you are not sure about the number of drinks consumed. This helps prevent you from getting drunk or experiencing alcohol poisoning (or even worse medical conditions). You need to set a time limit to stop drinking alcohol in the evening. For example, you can set a rule not to drink alcohol after midnight when you are out for a walk and having fun with friends.
Step 5. Have an alcohol-free day
Try to spend (at least) two days without alcohol every day. This can reduce the risk of alcohol dependence and help the body's recovery process after you previously enjoyed alcoholic beverages.
Keep in mind that not being able to abstain from drinking alcohol for one day can be a sign that you are already addicted to alcohol. Seek professional help if you find that you need alcohol
Step 6. Find out the risks and dangers of consuming alcoholic beverages
Every time you consume alcoholic beverages, you risk damaging or endangering your own health. The only way to free yourself from the risks of consuming alcoholic beverages is to not drink them at all. The more often or more you consume it, the greater the risk of damage to the body.
- Alcohol tolerance cannot protect you from the dangers of consuming alcoholic beverages.
- Alcoholic beverages can cause weight gain, depression, skin problems, and short-term memory loss.
- In the long term, alcohol consumption can lead to increased blood pressure, chronic liver disease, and breast cancer.
Tips
If you have any doubts or concerns about the victim's condition, immediately contact emergency services
Warning
- Never leave the victim or an unconscious person so that he can "sleep" until the effects of the poisoning go away on their own.
- Avoid binge drinking (consumption of alcoholic beverages in excess and in a short period of time). If you see or know someone exhibiting this pattern, try to stop them before they enter the stage of alcohol intoxication.
- Don't try to treat alcohol poisoning yourself, as poisoning victims need professional medical attention.
