Alcohol and BAC levels: Danger, overdose, and treatments

alcohol overdose

Binge drinking and high intensity drinking are most likely to cause alcohol poisoning. In addition to the serious risk of death, alcohol poisoning can also lead to irreversible alcohol overdose brain damage. Other long-term complications of heavy alcohol use include addiction, cancer, cirrhosis, liver disease, vitamin deficiencies, and mental health problems.

alcohol overdose

Alcohol poisoning vs. being drunk

Even drinking alcohol while taking over-the-counter antihistamines can be dangerous. Melatonin is a naturally produced hormone that regulates your sleep-wake cycle, and can also be found in supplement form. However, taking too much melatonin can lead to an overdose. When an overdose occurs, people may experience symptoms such as daytime sleepiness, vomiting, and high blood pressure. Generally, once your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.40 percent or over, it’s dangerous territory.

Alcohol-Related Deaths: What to Know

But if a person drinks very quickly, they can get to this stage before long. At a BAC of 0.45 percent or above, a person is likely to die from alcohol intoxication. Emergency medical attention is necessary at this point to avoid death and severe health problems. https://ecosoberhouse.com/ Their blood alcohol content (BAC), which measures how much alcohol is in the bloodstream, will be very low at 0.01 to 0.05 percent. If a person has consumed one or less drinks per hour, they’re considered to be sober, or low-level intoxicated.

What are the symptoms of alcohol poisoning?

Treatment for alcohol intoxication involves supportive care while the body tries to process the alcohol. You must seek emergency medical treatment for a person who’s showing symptoms of alcohol poisoning. Alcohol poisoning happens when there’s too much alcohol in your blood, and parts of your brain shut down.

How does alcohol cause intoxication?

alcohol overdose

Medical Professionals

  • At this point, someone’s vital functions can slow so significantly that they could slip into a coma.
  • Know the danger signals, and if you suspect that someone has an alcohol overdose, call 911 for help immediately.
  • If you suspect someone is overdosing, it’s critical to act quickly.
  • Keep in mind that in most places, 0.08 percent is the point at which you’re legally considered intoxicated.
  • This generally means having one drink per day for females or having two drinks per day for males.

Dangerous myths

Signs and Symptoms

alcohol overdose

  • Alcohol use and taking opioids or sedative hypnotics, such as sleep and anti-anxiety medications, can increase your risk of an overdose.
  • Most people who binge drink consume an average of eight drinks per binge, though.
  • The condition is usually linked to drinking too many alcohol beverages.