Alcohol Poisoning

How to Recognize Alcohol Poisoning

Unconscious or semi-consciousness and cannot be awakened.
There is no response to pinching the skin or other physical stimuli (gentle shaking, etc.)
The person vomits while passed out and does not wake up during or after.
The person has seizures.
Slow respiration (breaths) of eight or less per minute or lapses between breaths of more than eight seconds.
Irregular breathing.
Cold, clammy, pale or bluish skin -especially around the lips and nose. In the event of alcohol poisoning, these signs and symptoms will most likely be accompanied by a strong odor of alcohol. While these are obvious signs of alcohol poisoning, the list is certainly not all inclusive.

Call 911 immediately Do what you would do in any medical emergency—call immediately.
While waiting for 911 emergency transport, gently turn the intoxicated person on his/her side and maintain that position by placing a pillow in the small of the person’s back. This is important to prevent aspiration (choking) should the person vomit.
Stay with the person until medical help arrives.
If a person appears to be “sleeping it off” it is important to realize that even though a person may be semi-conscious, alcohol already in the stomach may continue to enter the bloodstream and circulate throughout the body. The person’s life may still be in danger.
Do not wait for all of the signs to appear and do not try to guess the level of drunkenness
Do not leave the person alone
Place the person on his or her side
If vomiting occurs, clear the airway by sweeping vomited material out of their mouth
Monitor their breathing and heart rate
If breathing and heart rate cease, begin CPR

CONTINUALLY MONITOR THE INTOXICATED PERSON.
CHECK THEIR BREATHING, waking them often to be sure they are not unconscious.
A DRUNK PERSON should not be put in charge of another drunk person.
DO NOT exercise the person.
DO NOT allow the person to drive a car or ride a bicycle.
DO NOT give the person food, liquid, medicines or drugs to sober them up.
DO NOT give the person a cold shower; the shock of the cold could cause unconsciousness.

REMEMBER: THE ONLY THING THAT CAN SOBER A DRUNK IS TIME!!!!

Adapted from/Sources:
Be Responsible About Drinking web site
The University of California at Davis, Campus Alcohol & Drug Abuse Prevention Program
North Fork (MA) District Attorney’s web page