Drug Abatement: Research Discussions: Alcohol Poisoning

By Anne Wright

FYI - I share this for the obvious reason of information about alcohol poisoning, but read it carefully with an eye to recent discussions about "binge drinking." Notice how subtlety the Harvard "Binge Drinking" information has been woven into the article. In particular note the implication that "ALL" 40% of binge drinkers reported in the Harvard Studies are at risk of alcohol poisoning. This is an excellent example of how the Harvard declaration that 5+/4+ drinking is a binge can quickly generalize to a point where lay people and professionals alike believe that "all" college students are binge drinkers and at risk of drinking themselves to death.

Alcohol Poisoning: Deadly Serious

Many of us are no strangers to alcohol and its effects. At one time or another, having one drink? or one too many? might have made you or someone you know happy, giddy, uninhibited, relaxed, tired, depressed or even sick. Fortunately, few of us are aware of the effects of alcohol poisoning. Like any drug, alcohol can be toxic, or poisonous, to those who abuse it or consume more than their bodies can handle safely.

Alcohol poisoning, or an alcohol overdose, results from consuming a large amount of alcohol in a short period of time. Also known as "binge drinking," this practice has become a growing problem on college campuses nationwide. More than 40 percent of college students are binge drinkers, with the number divided equally among occasional and frequent drinkers, according to the 1997 Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol Study. According to the study, "students' heavy episodic alcohol use, or binge drinking, is by far the single most serious public health problem confronting American colleges."  The amount of time and alcohol it takes to poison people's bodies can vary, depending on their weight and size; tolerance for alcohol; how quickly they consume drinks and the type of alcohol they are drinking; their level of fatigue and stress; and whether and how much they ate before drinking. Binge drinkers generally consume five or more standard alcoholic drinks in one sitting primarily for the purpose of getting
drunk. Once the intake of alcohol exceeds the body's limit, a person can pass out. Excessive amounts of alcohol hinder the brain's ability to control breathing. People with alcohol poisoning can slip into a coma, suffocate or choke to death on food or their own vomit. Therefore, alcohol poisoning, like any other kind of poisoning, always should be treated as a medical emergency.

How do I know if it's alcohol poisoning? What if you are unsure whether someone has had a little too much to drink or actually been poisoned by alcohol? Look for
the following symptoms of an alcohol overdose: slow or irregular breathing (fewer than eight breaths per minute, or 10 seconds or more between breaths) cold, pale or bluish skin, rapid pulse, vomiting while awake or asleep, unresponsiveness when spoken to, prodded or
pinched, semi-consciousness or unconsciousness.

If someone appears to have passed out from drinking, take it seriously! Don't assume that the person is just "sleeping it off." If you can't awaken the person or get a response, call for medical assistance immediately? you could save a life. While you're waiting for help, do not leave the person alone. Stay close and turn the person on his or her side to prevent choking if vomiting occurs. Also, monitor breathing and perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation if breathing stops. Don't try to sober the person up with something to eat or drink.

The best way to avoid alcohol poisoning is to control your drinking. If you are going to drink, know your limits and pace yourself. Avoid bingeing or drinking on an empty stomach. If you suspect that you or a friend has a drinking problem, acknowledge the problem and seek help before it's too late.