By Sarah Elliott, Andrea Neeb, Jessica MacPhee, Maygan Coulombe, Colette Dilkes

ALCOHOL POISONING

DEFINITION OF ALCOHOL POISONING

• Also known as drunkenness, a condition in which a toxic amount of alcohol has been consumed, usually in a short period of time. Toxicity is related to the blood level of the alcohol. Commonly known as a result of binge drinking.

Background History

• 100 000, cases of alcohol poisoning are reported each year.

• Approximately 1 person per week needlessly dies of overdosing on alcohol.

• The average person age 14 and older drinks 2.18 gallons of alcohol per year.

• Every day an average 11 318 teenagers try alcohol for the first time.

• More than 20 000 people die from alcohol poisoning each year.

• In the 1950’s alcohol poisoning was rare but, that has changed over the years.

• In 2004 alcohol poisoning was the worst for that year.

EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL POISONING • We all know teenagers drink. But sometimes if you drink too much you vomit or

pass out. Also mixing drinks can cause this.

• This is your bodies way of protecting itself from absorbing any more alcohol.

• When you consume too much alcohol too fast, it acts as a poison.

• When you drink too fast you may not pass out in time and instead alcohol in your stomach and intestines will continue to enter your bloodstream. The results could be fatal.

• An unconscious body will still try to expel the poison by vomiting but you could choke on the vomit and end up dead or in a coma.

SYMPTOMS• Slurred speech• Cold, clammy, pale or blush skin• Irregular breathing (10 seconds or more between breath)• Seizures• Mental confusion• Vomiting while “sleeping” or passed out and not waking• Low body temperature• Dangerous anger• Inability of Walk• Blood shot eyes• Loss of muscle coordination

TREATMENTS FOR ALCOHOL POISONING

• Immediately call 911 if someone has signs of it.• Make sure the victim is on its side, not laying on there back to prevent them from

choking on there vomit.• If you are with a person who has alcohol poisoning, you should not make the person

eat, as it could be negative effect to there body. • Drink lots of water to keep them hydrated and flush out the alcohol that they

consumed.• DO NOT leave the unconscious victim alone.• When there at the hospital they will pump your stomach by; giving a dosage of

charcoal liquid to absorb the alcohol and cause you to throw up. • Nurses will put in an IV to prevent you from becoming dehydrated from the

excessive vomiting.• Some other medications will be required.

Blood Level Chart

What you should do if you suspect someone who has alcohol poisoning?

• Know what the danger signs or symptoms are.

• Do not wait to see all the signs or symptoms before you actually think they have alcohol poisoning.

• Be aware that a person who has passed out may die.

• If there is any suspicious of an alcohol overdose, call 911 for help. Don’t try to guess the level of drunkenness.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqY7DZ46prA

PROPER WAY TO TURN AN UNCONSCIOUS VICTIM

VIDEOS

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqY7DZ46prA – MADD COP

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gggOy3f6Rwo&NR=1 – DRUNK DRIVING WITH CUPS

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2mf8DtWWd8 COMMERICAL