For people above legal drinking age only
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Someone with alcohol poisoning needs urgent medical attention
summary
Alcohol poisoning is the result of drinking dangerous amounts of alcohol. It can be deadly; those who survive can be left with irreversible brain damage.
When someone consumes excessive amounts of alcohol, their breathing slows and the brain is deprived of oxygen. The struggle to deal with an overdose of alcohol and lack of oxygen will eventually cause the brain to shut down the body functions that regulate breathing and heart rate. When that happens, the drinker can die.
Rapid, excessive drinking is especially dangerous because people can consume a fatal amount of alcohol before they lose consciousness. It's best to always drink in moderation and to avoid taking part in drinking games that involve drinking excessive amounts or drinking rapidly.
Underage and inexperienced drinkers are particularly vulnerable to alcohol poisoning. Alcohol poisoning is most commonly associated with drinking excessive amounts of alcohol in a short period of time.
Warning signs
Signs that someone might have alcohol poisoning include:
People can be suffering from alcohol poisoning without having all these signs and symptoms. If you suspect that someone has alcohol poisoning, get emergency medical help immediately.
People should never be left to 'sleep it off' – this could be a fatal mistake. A person's Blood Alcohol Concentration – the concentration of alcohol in the blood – may continue to rise even after they have passed out.
If alcohol poisoning goes untreated, the following can happen:
Take action
A person with alcohol poisoning needs urgent medical attention. Here's what you should do:
