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Alcohol Poisoning

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Poison Help Line

1-800-222-1222
Alcohol poisoning, or an alcohol overdose, is caused by drinking too much alcohol in a short period of time. When there are very high levels of alcohol in the body, critical areas of the brain that control breathing, heart rate and body temperature can shut down, potentially leading to a coma and death.

Types of Alcohol

Alcohol in the form of ethanol is found in alcoholic beverages, hand sanitizers, mouthwash, cooking extracts, some medications and certain household products. Isopropyl alcohol is found in rubbing alcohol, lotions and some cleaning products. Methanol or ethylene glycol is often found in antifreeze, paints and solvents.
  • Confusion
  • Vomiting
  • Unsteady gait
  • Seizures
  • Slow or irregular breathing
  • Low body temperature
  • Blue or pale colored skin
  • Low blood sugar (in children)
  • Passing out (unconsciousness) and can't be woken up

Several factors can increase your risk of alcohol poisoning, including:

  • Your size and weight
  • Your overall health
  • Whether you've eaten recently
  • Whether you're combining alcohol with other drugs
  • The percentage of alcohol in your drinks
  • The rate and amount of alcohol consumption
  • Your tolerance level
  • Stay with the person and try to keep them awake. Try to keep them sitting up. If the person must lie down, make sure to roll them on their side to prevent choking on their vomit.
  • Don't leave an unconscious person alone. Because alcohol poisoning affects the way the gag reflex works, someone with alcohol poisoning may choke on his or her own vomit and not be able to breathe.

Call the 24-Hour Poison Help Line for Additional Support:

800-222-1222

Children and Alcohol

Children who drink products that contain alcohol are at risk of alcohol poisoning. They can show symptoms quickly and require less alcohol than an adult due to their small size and weight. Children also are at risk of low blood sugar after drinking alcohol, which contributes to symptoms mentioned above.

Alcohol poisoning can be an emergency. If you suspect someone has alcohol poisoning and is unconscious or seizing, call 911 and seek medical help right away.

Preventing Alcohol Poisoning

  • The best way to prevent alcohol poisoning is to drink in moderation or not at all. For healthy adults, men should have no more than 1 to 2 drinks a day, and women shouldn’t drink more than 1 drink a day.
  • Talk to your children about the dangers of alcohol, including binge drinking. Evidence suggests that children who are warned about the dangers of alcohol by parents or those they are close with are less likely to start drinking. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) offers tips for talking with your teen about alcohol.
  • Alcohol poisoning can also occur when adults or children accidentally or intentionally drink household products that contain alcohol. Store all alcohol-containing products such as mouthwash, cooking extracts, medications and household products, up, away and out of sight. Keep the products in their original containers to avoid confusion as well.
  • Keep alcoholic beverages locked up and away.

Related links

Alcohol Poisoning
Cannabis/Marijuana
Inhalants
Nicotine and vaping
Opioids
Over-the-Counter Medicine Abuse
Prescription Medicine Abuse
1-800-222-1222
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