Understanding the Dangers of Alcohol Overdose National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism NIAAA

Examples of these medications include sleep aids, such as zolpidem and eszopiclone, and benzodiazepines, such as diazepam and alprazolam. Even drinking alcohol while taking over-the-counter antihistamines can be dangerous. Cannabis use can have both short-term effects and long-term risks. In the short term, it can cause relaxation, euphoria, and an increased sense of well-being. However, it can also lead to impaired memory and concentration, decreased coordination, and an increased risk of accidents.

• Approximately 50,000 people in the United States visit the emergency department each year due to accidental CO poisoning.
• Alcohol use disorder includes a level of drinking that’s sometimes called alcoholism.
• During the recovery period, a person may experience a depressed mood and appetite, discomfort, and memory problems.
• Cannabis use can have both short-term effects and long-term risks.
• Too much alcohol affects your speech, muscle coordination and vital centers of your brain.

Alcohol Intoxication: What You Should Know

It’s not necessary to have all the above symptoms before seeking medical help. A person with alcohol poisoning who has passed out or can’t wake up could die. Alcohol use disorder is a pattern of alcohol use that involves problems controlling your drinking, being preoccupied with alcohol or continuing to use alcohol even when it causes problems. This disorder also involves alcohol overdose having to drink more to get the same effect or having withdrawal symptoms when you rapidly decrease or stop drinking. Alcohol use disorder includes a level of drinking that’s sometimes called alcoholism. American Addiction Centers (AAC) offers state-of-the-art rehab facilities for treating AUDs and is a leading provider of alcohol detox and treatment across the nation.

Alcohol Poisoning FAQs

The best way to avoid alcohol poisoning is to not drink or to limit your alcohol consumption. If you choose to drink, it’s a good idea to drink responsibly and stick to the guidelines for moderating drinking that are mentioned above. Using alcohol with opioid pain relievers, such as oxycodone and morphine, or illicit opioids, such as heroin, is also a very dangerous combination.

What Causes Cannabis Poisoning

But the amount of alcohol in one drink may be much higher than those in the list above. For example, some craft beers may have four times the amount of alcohol that’s in a regular beer. Be aware of the alcohol content of what you’re drinking and adjust how much you drink based on this knowledge. Because denial is common, you may feel like you don’t have a problem with drinking.

Symptoms of an Overdose

If the person lives with an underlying alcohol use disorder, more symptoms may occur. If you think that you might experience alcohol intoxication, get a symptom assessment with the free Ada app. Or find out more about how our symptom checker works before you try it for yourself. The good news is that it’s possible to survive alcohol intoxication if appropriate medical treatment is given promptly.

• If you’re with someone who might have drunk too much, call 911 right away.
• These can vary between people and depend on the severity of intoxication.
• Use of this website and any information contained herein is governed by the Healthgrades User Agreement.
• If you’re concerned about someone who drinks too much, ask a professional experienced in alcohol treatment for advice on how to approach that person.

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