Alcohol Toxicity
Alcohol Toxicity
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Alcohol Poisoning

Alcohol poisoning also known as an alcohol overdose occurs when there is so much circulating alcohol that the area of the brain controlling basic life-functions such as breathing, temperature control and heart rate is significantly suppressed. Alcohol overdoses occur past the symptoms of intoxication and in severe cases can lead to permanent brain damage and death.

A person in a hospital being treated by a doctor and a nurse.

Severe Symptoms

  • Apnea
  • Heart attack
  • Lack of gag reflex’s – can choke on vomit
  • Hypothermia
  • Brain damage associated with severe dehydration
  • Seizures provoked by hypoglycaemia

If symptoms are neglected, alcohol poisoning will lead to death from the associated co-morbidity.

Excessive alcohol use led to approximately 95,000 deaths and 2.8 million years of potential life lost each year in the United States from 2011-2015, shortening the lives of those who died by an average of 29 years.

Esser MB, Sherk A, Liu Y, et al. Deaths and years of potential life lost from excessive alcohol use — United States, 2011–2015. MMWR 2020;69:1428–1433.

Treatment

At the moment there is no antidote for alcohol poisoning, thus the key to recovery is attending to each symptom alongside supportive care measures.

At Home

If someone in your care is showing signs of alcohol poisoning the matter should not be taken lightly and the following assistance should be given:

  • Call an ambulance
  • Person should be turned on their side to prevent choking
  • If responsive, encourage drinking water

At Emergency

A building with a sign saying "Emergency"

Once at the emergency, emphasis is made on supportive care and reducing further alcohol absorption. Gastric lavage is performed as well as the administration of activated charcoal in order to minimize the body’s absorption of already ingested alcohol . Multi-organ supportive care is used to treat the co-morbidities of alcohol poisoning:

  • Breathing tube that opens airways
  • Oxygen therapy
  • Inter-venous fluid therapy to prevent dehydration
  • Electrolytes and sugar to prevent neurodegenerative complications

During alcohol poisoning recovery, patients will likely experience hangover symptoms.