Early Signs of Alcohol Poisoning

Alcoholic beverages are as ingrained into American culture as hot dogs and apple pie. In moderation--defined by the U.S. Health and Human Services as no more than two drinks daily for a man and one for a woman--drinking alcoholic beverages can be relaxing and enjoyable.
However, too much alcohol can lead to alcohol poisoning, which can be deadly. It can happen to anyone regardless of age or gender, and it is easily overlooked if the early signs are missed. Understanding the early signs of alcohol poisoning is essential to ensuring the continued health and well-being of you or someone close to you who may have had too much to drink.

Quick Drinking

• One important early sign of alcohol poisoning involves how fast a person is consuming alcoholic beverages. If someone is drinking large amounts of alcohol over a short time frame, say the experts at the Mayo Clinic, alcohol poisoning is a very real possibility. This is the earliest warning sign for alcohol poisoning. If you notice someone drinking rounds of hard alcohol "shots" or "shooters" at a bar, or "slamming" beer after beer, it may seem like harmless fun, but it can lead to alcohol poisoning very rapidly.

Effects

• The effects of alcohol poisoning, regardless of time frame, produce identifiable early signs to the cautious observer. Alcohol is a depressant, although it may seem stimulating at first, and alcohol's depressant effects cause certain nerves in the brain to affect breathing, the gag reflex and general mental awareness.
  Armed with this information, look out for vomiting, possible slowed or irregular breathing, and/or mental confusion or stupor in the person at risk for alcohol poisoning.

Features

• Certain physical features other than those previously mentioned are also early warning signs for alcohol poisoning. One of these features is paleness or a bluish tinge to the skin and occasionally the lips. Someone who looks like this may be about to enter the later stages of alcohol poisoning, such as unconsciousness or seizures, or even death.
  Clumsiness, such as stumbling, swaying while walking or spilling drinks is a key sign of extreme intoxication and thus an important early sign to watch for when alcohol poisoning is suspected.

Misconceptions

• Understanding two common yet serious social misconceptions is key in identifying the early signs of alcohol poisoning.
  One myth is that drinking heavily and quickly is "harmless fun" or simply appropriate and encouraged on certain occasions. Many people--whether celebrating at a wedding, college party or similar event--believe that drinking a lot in a short period of time is okay. However, drinking five or more alcoholic beverages in a row, or binge drinking, is the primary cause of alcohol poisoning.
  The second misconception is that if someone loses consciousness, or "passes out," we will sleep off the effects of alcohol. Often, someone who becomes unconscious from drinking has alcohol poisoning, and may never wake up to sleep anything off at all.

Warning

• If you suspect alcohol poisoning from observing these early signs, don't waste time. Contact emergency services immediately--even if the person who may have alcohol poisoning is against the idea. Remember: you're watching for the early signs, not waiting for the severe late signs of alcohol poisoning.
  Erring on the side of caution is never a bad idea when it comes to possible alcohol poisoning, and may mean the difference between life and death.