Medicines for Alcohol poisoning

What it is

Alcohol poisoning is a serious and potentially life-threatening result of drinking a large amount of alcohol, usually over a short time (such as in binge drinking). When a lot of alcohol is drunk quickly, the level of alcohol in the blood rises and can affect the body’s vital functions — including breathing, heart rate, temperature control, and the gag reflex that protects the airway — to a dangerous degree. It is a medical emergency. The warning signs of alcohol poisoning can include: confusion; being unable to stay awake, or being unconscious and unable to be woken; vomiting (which is dangerous if the person is not fully conscious, as they can choke); slow or irregular breathing; pale, bluish, cold, or clammy skin; a low body temperature (hypothermia); and seizures (fits). These signs indicate that the person is seriously affected and needs urgent help. It is dangerous to assume that someone who has drunk heavily just needs to "sleep it off" — because the alcohol level can continue to rise even after they stop drinking (as alcohol already in the stomach is absorbed), and because an unconscious or very drowsy person is at risk of choking on vomit, stopping breathing, or other complications. So, if someone shows signs of alcohol poisoning, emergency help should be sought, and they should not be left alone to "sleep it off". Certain things should also be avoided (such as giving them coffee, more alcohol, or a cold shower, or letting them lie on their back where they could choke). Alcohol poisoning is treated in hospital with monitoring and support of the body’s functions until the alcohol is cleared. The key messages are that alcohol poisoning is a medical emergency, that the warning signs (confusion, being unable to wake someone, vomiting, slow breathing, cold or bluish skin, seizures) need urgent help, and that a heavily intoxicated person should not simply be left to "sleep it off".

How it is treated

Alcohol poisoning is a medical emergency, so the priority is to recognise it, call for emergency help, and keep the person as safe as possible while waiting. If someone shows signs of alcohol poisoning — confusion, being unable to stay awake or wake, vomiting, slow or irregular breathing, pale, bluish, cold or clammy skin, a low temperature, or seizures — call emergency services (999) immediately; it is safer to seek help than to assume they will be fine. While waiting for help: stay with the person and do not leave them alone; if they are conscious, keep them sitting up (not lying down) and try to keep them awake, and give small sips of water if they can safely drink; if they are unconscious or very drowsy but breathing, place them in the recovery position (on their side, to keep the airway clear and reduce the risk of choking on vomit), and keep checking their breathing; keep them warm; and be prepared to give CPR if they stop breathing. It is important to avoid certain things that are unhelpful or dangerous: do not give them coffee (it does not reverse the effects and can worsen dehydration), do not give more alcohol, do not try to make them "walk it off" or have a cold shower (which can be dangerous, including causing cooling), and do not let them lie on their back (where they could choke on vomit). In hospital, alcohol poisoning is treated by monitoring and supporting the person’s breathing, heart, temperature, blood sugar, and hydration until the alcohol is cleared from the body, and managing any complications; treatment is supportive, as the body clears the alcohol over time. The key message is prevention through sensible drinking and recognising the emergency: drinking within recommended limits, pacing drinking, eating, and not drinking large amounts quickly reduce the risk; and if alcohol poisoning is suspected, calling for emergency help and keeping the person safe (in the recovery position if unconscious but breathing) can be life-saving. The reassuring message, within the seriousness, is that prompt emergency help and supportive treatment save lives, so recognising the signs and acting — rather than leaving someone to "sleep it off" — is the crucial thing.