Alcohol Poisoning

Alcohol poisoning is a serious problem that can occur when someone drinks too much alcohol too fast. Alcohol is metabolized by the liver, but it takes time! It can take your body more than one hour to process (metabolize) one standard drink.

Signs of alcohol poisoning include:

• Unconsciousness and cannot be woken
• Breathing slowly or irregularly - less than eight breaths per minute, or a gap of more than 10 seconds between breaths
• Cool, clammy, pale, or bluish skin
• Seizures
• Vomiting while sleeping

If you suspect someone has alcohol poisoning:

• call 9-1-1,
• put the person in the recovery position, and
• do not leave the person alone until help arrives.

Recovery position

If someone you know passes out from drinking alcohol, you can help reduce the risk of choking by positioning them in the recovery position:

• Raise the person's arm closest to you straight above the head. Straighten the leg closest to you. Bend the other leg at the knee and bring the other arm across the chest.

• Gently roll the person towards you, guarding their head from injury.

• Tilt the head to maintain airway. Tuck the nearest hand under the cheek to maintain head tilt.