Alcohol at very high levels can hinder signals in the brain that control automatic responses, such as the gag reflex. With no gag reflex, a person who drinks to the point of passing out is in danger of choking on their vomit and dying alcohol poisoning from a lack of oxygen (i.e., asphyxiation). Even if the person survives, an alcohol overdose like this can lead to long-lasting brain damage. Alcohol in the form of ethanol, also called ethyl alcohol, is in alcoholic beverages.

Who May Be at Risk?

If you have other health conditions, such as diabetes, you may be at greater risk for having an alcohol overdose. If you drink more than this and your body isn’t able to break it down fast enough, it accumulates in your body. Many people consume alcohol because it has a relaxing effect, and drinking can be a healthy social experience. But consuming large amounts of alcohol, even one time, can lead to serious health complications. BAC can continue to rise even when a person stops drinking or is unconscious. Alcohol in the stomach and intestine continues to enter the bloodstream and circulate throughout the body.

Recognizing an overdose

U.S. deaths from causes fully due to excessive alcohol use increased during the past 2 decades. They include deaths where the primary (or underlying) cause of death listed on the death certificate was one of 58 alcohol-related causes. As a general rule, one standard drink will increase your BAC by 0.02 percent.

Facts About U.S. Deaths from Excessive Alcohol Use

If someone near you has these symptoms, call 911 (or your local emergency services number) or take them to the nearest emergency room. Don’t assume you can sleep it off or that you’ll be OK in the morning. If you can’t sit up, lie on your side to prevent choking on your vomit. A mixed drink or cocktail could have more than one serving of alcohol in it.

• However, there’s no straight answer to the question of how much alcohol can kill you.
• People who binge drink (drink more than five drinks in an hour) are also at risk for alcohol overdose.
• Alcohol poisoning can be life-threatening and needs immediate medical care.
• Among females, the average annual number of deaths from excessive alcohol use increased by 15,136 (34.7%), from 43,565 during 2016–2017, to 58,701 during 2020–2021.
• The less alcohol you drink, the lower your risk for these health effects, including several types of cancer.
• For some people, these occasions may also include drinking—even binge or high-intensity drinking.

Global status report on alcohol and health and treatment of substance use disorders

If you or a friend are drinking, pay attention to how much you consume and how quickly. If a friend appears to be drinking too much too fast, try to intervene and limit how much more they have. Drink no more than one alcohol-containing beverage an hour. If the depressant effects begin affecting key functions of your body, like your breathing and consciousness, it’s considered https://ecosoberhouse.com/.

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Alcohol Poisoning Risks

Alcohol Intoxication: What You Should Know

• Alcohol poisoning is usually caused by binge drinking, which is where you have a lot of alcohol in one drinking session.
• The good news is that it’s possible to survive alcohol intoxication if appropriate medical treatment is given promptly.
• The time it takes alcohol to both have an impact and subsequently leave your system can depend on many factors, such as your weight and how many drinks you’ve had within a given time.
• Someone with a smaller body may experience the effects of alcohol more rapidly than someone with a larger body.
• People with alcohol poisoning are also more likely to experience injuries, which can be severe.
• You shouldn’t try to treat it at home or “sleep it off.” A major danger of alcohol poisoning is choking on your vomit, which can happen when you’re unconscious or sleeping.