For years studies have shown that alcohol can have a negative impact on health. The more a person drinks, the greater their risk. A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sheds light on the truth about alcohol poisoning. While many people assume that it is young adults who are most likely to binge drink and develop alcohol poisoning, 75 percent of deaths are actually in adults aged 35 to 64 according to the report. The state with the highest rate of death from alcohol poisoning is Alaska with 46.5 deaths per million people, and the lowest is Alabama with 5.3 deaths per million people. On average, alcohol poisoning kills more than 2,200 people every year.
Dangers of Binge Drinking
Binge drinking is one of the leading causes of alcohol poisoning. People consume more alcohol than their body can process. The liver can only filter out so much alcohol at a time and the rest builds up in the bloodstream. Eventually this causes your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to become dangerously high and you develop alcohol poisoning. Recommended guidelines for drinking are no more than one drink per day or seven per week for women and two drinks per day or 14 per week for men. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines binge drinking as typically four or more drinks within two hours for women and five or more drinks for men.
Signs of Alcohol Poisoning
When someone has consumed too much alcohol and their BAC rises too high, they may show some of the following symptoms:
- Slow or irregular breathing
- Vomiting
- Hypothermia
- Bluish tinge to the skin
- Seizures
- Confusion
- Passing out
It is important that you seek help immediately if you notice any of these signs. While alcohol poisoning can be treated, it can also be fatal if left unmonitored.
Keeping Drinking In Check
To reduce the risk of developing alcohol poisoning, it is important to keep drinking in check. Excessive drinking can also lead to alcoholism which can become a serious problem. Knowing the risks of drinking as well as safe practices can reduce risk.
- Limit yourself if you choose to drink. Start off by drinking a full glass of water and continue to drink water throughout to prevent dehydration and keep yourself feeling fuller so you will consume less alcohol.
- Eat a filling meal beforehand. Alcohol is absorbed more quickly on an empty stomach. Food can help to slow this process.
- Keep track of how much you are drinking and set limits for yourself. Avoid binge drinking and using alcohol as an escape. Engage in healthier coping strategies.
Seek Help
If your alcohol consumption has gotten out of hand or become problematic and you are drinking in excess of recommended guidelines, it may be time to seek help. Alcoholism is a manageable condition and drug and alcohol rehab centers such as Chapters Capistrano in San Clemente can help you to get back on track. Develop healthier routines and ways of coping to reduce risk of alcohol poisoning and relapse into active addiction. Contact Chapters Capistrano at 949-276-2886 to begin the road to recovery and embrace a substance-free lifestyle.
