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Holistic Treatments for Alcohol Poisoning

People often forget that alcohol is a drug, and as with all drugs, it's possible to overdose. Overdosing on alcohol is called alcohol poisoning, which affects roughly 50,000 people annually. If left untreated, alcohol poisoning can result in brain damage, respiratory damage and even death. Know the warning signs and what you can and cannot do in treating alcohol poisoning holistically.

  1. What Are the Signs of Alcohol Poisoning?

    • Alcohol poisoning looks like regular drunkenness at first; nausea and vomiting are common, and the person may lose consciousness. The person's skin may also appear blanched, or slightly blue. If he does not pass out, slow, unstable breathing patterns, an inability to focus or respond to painful stimuli, slurred speech and uncontrollable vomiting are also signs of alcohol poisoning.

    How is Alcohol Poisoning Different from Being Really Drunk?

    • Though the slurred speech and uninhibited behavior of alcohol poisoning are behaviors to those of someone who is just extremely drunk, usually the latter will still wake fairly easily if he passes out. Someone with alcohol poisoning will likely not wake so easily, and may additionally exhibit seizures, low body temperature and extreme confusion. As a rule, it's wise to assume someone may have overdosed on alcohol if at least two of the aforementioned warning signs are present.

    What Are the Treatments to Avoid for Alcohol Poisoning?

    • Alcohol poisoning is a serious condition that goes beyond ridding the alcohol from the stomach. In most cases, the person will not need any assistance in this respect as she may not be able to stop vomiting. Administering coffee is also not recommended as the caffeine may only purge additional vital fluids from her system. Cold water or sudden cold temperatures may cause her to go into shock, and for this reason these treatments are also not recommended. Finally, "sleeping it off" is dangerous because she may slip into a coma, and others would not be able to tell the difference between that state and sleeping.

    What Are the Holistic Treatments That Work for Alcohol Poisoning?

    • Little can really be done in the vein of holistic treatments for alcohol poisoning except keeping the person awake, administering liquids such as water and electrolyte drinks in small sips and keeping him upright in order to reduce the chances he may choke on vomit.

    When to Seek Traditional Medical Care

    • Seek traditional medical attention immediately if you suspect alcohol poisoning. Intravenous fluids and possibly kidney dialysis may be necessary to prevent long-term damage.

      Alcohol poisoning is a severe condition that affects thousands each year. As with any drug, abusing alcohol can lead to devastating outcomes. Know the risks of alcohol poisoning before you drink in order to safeguard yourself and others should the unthinkable occur.

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