|
Share this |
Dear Alice,
There seems to be no advice or information on the subject of alcohol poisoning that I can find on your web site. Recently I had a very bad experience that I think must have involved alcohol poisoning, and would like to have some information on the causes and signs of alcohol poisoning. Does beer before liquor have anything to do with it?
Sincerely,
Traumatized drinker
Dear Traumatized drinker,
Since you didn't describe what happened to you exactly, it's hard to determine if you did experience alcohol poisoning or not; but you are right, it needs to be discussed. Understanding the risks involved with over-drinking and the guidelines for avoiding them is a skill everyone can use. (Even if it's just to help a friend.)
Alcohol poisoning occurs when a large amount of alcohol is consumed, usually over a short period of time. The human body can process 1 to 1.5 ounces of alcohol an hour, the amount contained in a single standard drink — a 12 oz. bottle or can of beer, a 5 oz. glass of wine, or one mixed drink. Keep in mind that many mixed drinks and alcoholic punches contain far more liquor. For example, a "Long Island iced tea" has 5 drinks in one!
Alcohol is a depressant, and, in large amounts, dulls the nerves that regulate one's breathing, heartbeat, and gag reflex. The gag reflex is what is responsible for allowing our bodies to vomit — to get rid of extra alcohol that it cannot process. Sometimes, however, because this reflex is unable to work properly, our systems continue to absorb the excess alcohol. In severe cases, this can cause alcohol poisoning — a condition that usually involves the following symptoms:
- The person is asleep and cannot be woken up — meaning, s/he is unconscious.
- Breathing is less than 12 times per minute, or breathing stops altogether for periods of longer than 10 seconds.
- Skin and/or lips are cold, clammy, and pale or bluish in color.
Anytime a person has been drinking excessively, s/he needs to be watched very carefully for danger signs that s/he could be at risk for alcohol poisoning or other medical emergencies. These might include:
- slurred speech
- difficulty walking or standing up
- erratic behavior
- inability to make eye contact or sustain a conversation
- feeling very ill, including prolonged vomiting
In your question, you bring up the very common idea that mixing certain alcoholic beverages will make you more drunk or sick. Your example is beer before liquor, but just about everyone has a favorite anecdote about mixing drinks or eating "the wrong" foods right before drinking. The truth is that mixing alcoholic beverages won't make one more or less drunk; the only thing that matters is the amount of alcohol consumed in a specific time frame. It is possible, however, that certain mixtures of alcohol, and the various ingredients those beverages contain, may upset some individuals' stomachs. The best things to do are to pay attention to your own reactions and limits and keep these in mind when drinking.
As for avoiding both unpleasant drunkenness and more serious alcohol poisoning, it might be handy to recap some advice given in another Go Ask Alice! answer, Avoid hangover?:
- drink slowly
- sip rather than gulp drinks
- dilute drinks
- avoid shots
- alternate alcoholic with non-alcoholic beverages
- eat a substantial meal before drinking
