Learning about alcohol poisoning is important for anyone in Florida. After all, almost 20% of all Floridians participate in binge drinking once (or even twice) a month. Alcohol doesn’t discriminate against age or socioeconomic status, either. Professionals are not exempt from falling into patterns of heavy alcohol use. People who make more than $75k/year are more prone to alcohol use disorder (AUD) than any other economic group.
If it isn’t you, it’s probably someone you know or love. Every life is valuable, which means if someone is experiencing an alcohol overdose, it’s our job as a community to help.
If you’re managing alcohol use disorder (AUD) yourself, it’s also essential to know the risks you take when drinking in excess. It isn’t easy to control how much you drink – especially if your tolerance has increased over time. However, there is one thing you can control: you can reach out for help when you need it.
At Tranquil Shores, our Florida communities mean everything to us. This is why we’ve chosen to create a safe space to heal and grow from AUD or other substance use disorders. If you’re not ready for that, we can arm you with the knowledge you need to take action when you or someone you know is in danger. Today, we’re here to talk about alcohol overdose, how you can prevent it, and what steps you need to take if it happens.
What Is Alcohol Poisoning, and Who Is at Risk?
Alcohol poisoning is what happens when the amount of alcohol in your system overwhelms your liver and other organs. It takes a lot to get here, but it’s also easier than most people think. After the first few drinks, the part of the brain that controls memory (the hippocampus) stops working properly. This can cause you to continue drinking without realizing how much you’ve consumed. Additionally, your inhibitions have lowered. Even if you’re aware that you’re drinking “too much”, you’re less likely to care or consider the consequences. It’s usually because of these things that alcohol poisoning happens.
Alcohol poisoning is also more likely to occur if you:
- Are mixing alcohol with other substances (like opioids or weed)
- Are overweight (alcohol stores itself in fat cells)
- Have liver disease (if the liver isn’t functioning properly, it can’t metabolize alcohol the way it should)
- Have an alcohol intolerance
- Are elderly
- Have an AUD with a high tolerance
- Are drinking alcohol on an empty stomach
- Are buying mixed drinks and are unaware of the alcohol content in them
- Are depressed or managing a mental health condition
- Are managing social anxiety and are in the presence of others when drinking
At What Level Does Alcohol Poisoning Occur?
You’ve likely heard of a “BAC” before. BAC stands for blood alcohol content, and it measures how much alcohol is in someone’s bloodstream.
In order to drive a car, your BAC needs to be lower than .08% (in Florida, there is a zero-tolerance policy, which means people with a BAC as low as .02% can be arrested if they’re driving). Each state handles these laws a little differently. Your BAC is a good indicator of how much alcohol is still in your system.
It takes about 1-2 beers for someone’s BAC to rise to .08%. By drink #3 or #4, the BAC can rise to .10% or .12%, and this is when it’s usually easy to tell that someone is “drunk.” When someone’s BAC reaches .30% or .40%, alcohol has reached highly toxic levels in the body. This is usually when alcohol poisoning occurs. Anything above .50% is considered a fatal level of alcohol in the bloodstream.
The Dangers of Alcohol Poisoning
Alcohol poisoning is serious, and it isn’t easy to reverse. If it isn’t caught in time, it can lead to life-threatening complications. When alcohol poisoning is treated, there are still no guarantees that an individual will make it through unscathed, or without long-term health consequences.
Alcohol is a depressant and it impacts the entire central nervous system, including the brain, gut, and vital organs like the liver, heart, and kidneys. When the liver is overwhelmed with alcohol and can no longer metabolize it, it leads to a buildup of toxins within the body. When the toxins have gotten to the point where they’re impacting the respiratory system, breathing slows or even stops, which can cause permanent damage. When those same toxins have gotten to the point where they’re impacting the heart, a dangerous drop in blood pressure, dizziness, fainting, and cardiac arrest can happen. Alcohol also increases the chances of palpitations, arrhythmias, and heart attacks.
If someone is managing a full-time AUD, all of these dangers are still present. But when an overdose happens, the risk increases tenfold, and everything can happen at once. In other words, if you suspect someone is experiencing alcohol poisoning, get help immediately. Medical attention can save someone’s life.
The Common Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning
Here are some of the common things to look out for if you suspect that someone is experiencing alcohol poisoning:
- Irregular breathing (slow, shallow, or spaced out)
- Loss of consciousness
- Bluish, pale, or clammy skin (from lack of oxygen)
- Seizures
- Slow heart rate
- Confusion
- Hypothermia or low body temperature
When Is It Time to Get Help for Alcohol Poisoning?
Research shows that alcohol use disorder affects all classes and occupations. Hard-working, college-educated individuals are not immune to AUD. For example, lawyers and other professional executives experience a higher rate of AUD than other occupations. The pressures executives face daily make them prone to using alcohol as a form of self-medication or stress relief. Unfortunately, when alcohol use becomes a regular habit, this economic group is often forced into “closet alcoholism”, or hiding their AUD from their coworkers and family. This is even more taxing. If this is you, remember that you’re not alone.
Not everyone is the same, and symptoms will vary. But if you notice any of the signs listed above, it’s important to get help immediately. You can call 9-1-1.
Getting Treatment For Alcohol Use Disorder in Tampa
Witnessing an alcohol overdose, or experiencing one yourself, isn’t something you’ll soon forget. If you or someone you love has made it through an overdose and come out on the other side, it’s time to think about creating a healthier relationship with alcohol.
It’s not easy bringing up the topic of treatment with someone you care about. You may worry that you’ll push them away or that they’ll become angry with you. Don’t let that stop you from approaching the topic. Find a time and place that is comfortable for them and convenient for you. Practice active listening, show compassion, and lay your concerns out on the table. You may not get the outcome you want every time, but you’re taking an interest and showing them that you care. It’s also important to find an AUD treatment facility that can meet their personal needs and feel comfortable for them.
If you’re managing an alcohol use disorder on your own, it’s easy to feel hopeless or overwhelmed. The evidence-based AUD treatment plans at Tranquil Shores start with an assessment and alcohol detox and move on to therapy and aftercare. Whether you choose our on-campus or outpatient rehab, you’re going to feel like you belong. Our staff doesn’t just know how to treat addiction — many of them have lived through it and come out on the other side. We prioritize compassion in everything we do.
Many of our clients have tried other high-end programs before, and they find this is the one where they finally found the right fit. That’s because we’re an intentionally small program with a high staff-to-client ratio (3:1). We have psychiatrists and nurses on site full-time, which means you can see them twice a week, sometimes more. We provide you options in your recovery, including the use of personal electronics for work as needed. Additionally, we use evidence-based methodologies other than the usual 12-step structure you find in so many programs these days.
If you are like so many people living with an alcohol use disorder, you’re probably feeling very alone. You may even be trying to quit on your own, but it’s safer and more effective to consider treatment with licensed clinicians that are equipped to get you through this. Are you ready to reclaim your life from alcohol use? Take the first step by calling Tranquil Shores at 727-391-7001 to speak to a member of our team today.
FAQs
What are the 5 signs of alcohol poisoning?
While everyone is different and will display unique signs of alcohol poisoning, the five main things to look out for include blue/pale skin, loss of consciousness, irregular breathing, confusion, and hypothermia or low body temperature. If you or someone you know is experiencing one of these five things, it’s important to seek help immediately by calling 9-1-1.
What is the difference between alcohol poisoning and being drunk?
The blood alcohol content (BAC) of someone who is drunk is around .10%, while the BAC of someone who is overdosing is closer to .30%. Additionally, the signs and symptoms of overdose are different from the signs and symptoms of simple intoxication. Someone who is drunk may display signs of lowered inhibitions, while someone who is overdosing will likely be physically ill.
Is it okay to let a drunk person sleep?
Blood alcohol levels can rise during sleep, so it’s never technically “safe” to sleep while drunk. The gag reflex isn’t working the way it should, so it’s possible for someone to choke on their own vomit. You may think someone is just “sleeping it off” when in reality they’re experiencing an overdose. Keep a close eye on them and call for help if you notice signs of alcohol poisoning.
