Alcohol poisoning is a dangerous result of drinking more than your body can handle. With both immediate and long-term effects, poisoning from alcohol can significantly compromise your health. How long does alcohol poisoning last? Its effects can persist for several hours to a full day, depending on the severity and the timeliness of medical intervention.
While some of these effects are reversible with prompt medical treatment, others, such as brain damage or chronic liver disease, can have lifelong consequences. In the United States, between 2017 and 2020, an annual average of 2467 deaths occurred due to alcohol poisoning–an alarming statistic for sure.
If you’ve experienced alcohol poisoning firsthand, you want to learn more about alcohol abuse, or you’re concerned about your drinking habits, read on to learn more.
How Does Alcohol Poisoning Happen?
Alcohol poisoning occurs when a person consumes a toxic amount of alcohol, typically over a short period. Critical bodily functions such as breathing, heart rate, and body temperature regulation are impaired. There’s a risk of severe health impact and even death.
One of the most significant risk factors for alcohol poisoning is binge drinking, defined as four or more drinks per occasion for females and over five drinks for males. The body struggles to metabolize a large amount of alcohol, adding to the likelihood of poisoning occurring.
Additionally, mixing alcohol with drugs or prescription medications elevates the risk of contracting alcohol poisoning and makes it difficult to gauge the impact alcohol is having on your system.
How Long Does Alcohol Poisoning Last?
The duration of alcohol poisoning can vary depending on several factors. Typically, acute effects of alcohol poisoning can last for several hours, but the body may take 24 hours or more to recover fully, depending on the severity.
Factors affecting how long alcohol poisoning lasts include:
- Amount of alcohol consumed
- Time over which alcohol was consumed
- Body weight, age, and tolerance
- Rate of metabolism
How Much Alcohol Can Cause Poisoning?
The amount of alcohol that can cause poisoning varies significantly depending on individual factors. Generally speaking, a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) reaches dangerous levels, typically around 0.30% BAC or higher. Depending on a person’s size and tolerance, lower levels of alcohol consumption could cause poisoning, too.
For adult males, dangerously high BAC levels occur when drinking more than five drinks in 2 hours (binge drinking). For adult females, drinking more than four drinks in 2 hours can result in a similar risk, as women typically process alcohol more slowly due to differences in body composition and enzyme levels.
Factors that affect the amount of alcohol leading to poisoning include:
- Body weight and size
- Age
- Tolerance
- Rate of consumption
- Alcohol concentration
- Mixing with other drugs or medications
Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) and Effects
- 0.08% BAC – Legal intoxication in many places, involving impaired coordination, judgment, and slowed reaction times
- 0.20% BAC – Disorientation, nausea, vomiting, and blackouts may occur
- 0.30% BAC – Risk of unconsciousness, respiratory depression, and increased potential for alcohol poisoning
- 0.40% BAC and higher – Risk of coma, respiratory failure, and death
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How To Spot Alcohol Poisoning: Signs And Symptoms
Immediate symptoms of alcohol poisoning will typically begin right after heavy drinking and may last for several hours. These symptoms may include:
- Confusion or stupor
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Slow or irregular breathing
- Hypothermia (low body temperature) with cold or clammy skin
- Pale or bluish skin
- Unconsciousness and inability to wake up
In severe cases, hospitalization is crucial for monitoring. Medical interventions can shorten the duration of severe symptoms. Even after the acute phase of poisoning from alcohol has passed, the body may still experience lingering effects –dehydration, headache, fatigue, and cognitive impairment can last over a day.
Long-term Effects Of Alcohol Poisoning
Long-term effects of poisoning from alcohol differ based on how quickly intervention, if any, was used on an individual. These effects include brain damage from lack of oxygen, liver damage, long-term heart issues, and mental health problems. Permanent or long-lasting damage to vital organs is an effect that lingers beyond immediate signs like dehydration and hypothermia.
Additionally, if alcohol poisoning happens more than once, repeat episodes of severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances can cause weakened immune function. If you think someone you love is abusing alcohol, here are more ways to spot the signs.
What To Do When Someone Has Alcohol Poisoning
Prompt action is critical when someone shows signs of having too much alcohol. Call emergency services, stay with the person, and take the necessary steps to protect their airway and monitor their vital signs. Early intervention can prevent serious complications or death.
If you suspect someone has alcohol poisoning, take action:
- Call emergency services immediately.
- Do not leave the person alone; try to keep them awake and sitting up if possible.
- Turn them on their side to prevent choking if they’re vomiting.
- Monitor breathing and be prepared to perform CPR if necessary.
- Do not give them food or water or let them “sleep it off.”
- Do not try to get the person to vomit, as this can cause choking.
When medical help arrives, be ready to share how much alcohol the person consumed, when they started drinking, and if they took any other substances (like medications or drugs).
Is Alcohol Poisoning A Sign Of Addiction?
While a single incident of alcohol poisoning doesn’t automatically mean someone has an addiction, repeated episodes or drinking to dangerous levels often suggest a problematic relationship with alcohol. Drinking to the point of poisoning yourself could be a red flag, potentially indicating alcohol use disorder (AUD).
If someone continues to drink excessively despite knowing about the risks like of alcohol abuse, they may be dealing with alcohol addiction. These individuals may downplay or ignore health warnings and continue to engage in risky drinking.
In addition to alcohol poisoning, the following signs may indicate addiction:
- Drinking more or for longer than intended
- Craving alcohol or feeling the urge to drink
- Inability to cut down or control drinking despite efforts
- Neglecting responsibilities (work, school, family) because of drinking
- Using alcohol in dangerous situations, like driving
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms (shaking, nausea, anxiety) when not drinking
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Alcohol Addiction Help At Vogue Recovery Centers
If you have a loved one who has experienced poisoning from alcohol multiple times, it may be essential to evaluate their drinking habits. Alcohol addiction is serious, and there is no shame in seeking help.
At Vogue Recovery Centers, program participants can access individualized and structured treatment. Having a team of caring providers by your side can help alleviate your fears about alcohol poisoning and create stability. Addiction treatment centers have specific treatment programs for your needs. From alcohol detox to alcohol overdose prevention training, we can help you no matter what the substance abused was. Substance abuse treatment can help you recover from alcohol poisoning and make it through alcohol withdrawal.
With locations in Las Vegas and Phoenix, Vogue offers inpatient and outpatient rehab programs for every level of alcohol addiction. If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction, contact Vogue today. A member of our admissions team will help you determine what program fits your needs. Get on a path toward recovery today.
Questions about treatment options?
Our admissions team is available 24/7 to listen to your story and help you get started with the next steps.
Vogue Recovery Editorial Staff
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