It’s important to understand the difference between alcohol poisoning and a bad hangover. A night of excessive drinking can lead to much more serious side effects than a headache. Alcohol poisoning can happen when someone consumes a large amount of alcohol in a short period, and the effects can be felt for several days. Keep reading to learn more about alcohol poisoning next-day symptoms that often go unnoticed.
What Is Alcohol Poisoning?
Alcohol poisoning is a serious – and sometimes life-threatening – consequence of drinking large amounts of alcohol in a short period. Drinking too much too quickly can impact a person’s breathing, heart rate, body temperature, and gag reflex, potentially leading to coma and death.
Alcohol poisoning may also occur when adults or children accidentally or intentionally drink household products that contain ethanol (alcohol). Alcoholism is also a risk factor for poisoning, as alcoholism is marked by frequent and heavy drinking.
The human body is only able to carry a certain amount of alcohol. Additionally, the liver can only process about one ounce of liquor per hour, and drinking more than that amount will result in toxic levels of alcohol in the blood.
Alcohol poisoning is determined based on the person’s blood/breath alcohol concentration (BAC), which refers to the amount of alcohol in the bloodstream or on the person’s breath. BAC is measured by the weight of ethanol (in grams) in 100 milliliters of blood or 210 liters of breath.
BAC can vary depending on the individual’s body weight, sex, and body fat percentage. This means that a person’s level of impairment may also vary as well as their tolerance for alcohol. Alcohol poisoning is likely to occur when a person’s BAC reaches 0.250% to 0.399%.
When a person experiences alcohol poisoning, certain areas of the brain begin to struggle for control, affecting functions like breathing, heart rate, and body temperature. Common symptoms of alcohol poisoning include:
- Confusion
- Difficulty remaining conscious
- Vomiting
- Seizure
- Dehydration
- Trouble breathing
- Slow heart rate
- Clammy skin
- Dulled reflexes and responses (such as no gag reflex, which increases the risk of choking)
- Low body temperature
Individuals who engage in binge drinking or regular heavy drinking are most at risk of alcohol poisoning. Teenagers and young adults who drink are also at particular risk of experiencing alcohol poisoning, as binge drinking is common among this age group.
If you notice any of these signs in yourself or a loved one, call 9-1-1 immediately. Alcohol poisoning is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.
How Long Do Alcohol Poisoning Effects Last?
The short answer: it depends. The time it takes for alcohol to both impact the body and leave your system can vary depending on many factors, such as the amount of alcohol consumed, the person’s weight, age, and more.
Time is the only factor that can be used to prevent alcohol poisoning and determine whether a person is close. Below is a time factor table that can be used to determine a person’s blood alcohol level:
- 1 hour since the person’s first drink: 0.015 BAC
- 2 hours since the person’s first drink: 0.030 BAC
- 3 hours since the person’s first drink: 0.045 BAC
- 4 hours since the person’s first drink: 0.060 BAC
- 5 hours since the person’s first drink: 0.075 BAC
- 6 hours since the person’s first drink: 0.090 BAC
After Effects of Alcohol Poisoning: The Next Day
When a person experiences alcohol poisoning, it could take a few days for the body to recover from the impact. Some common alcohol poisoning next-day symptoms include:
- Incoherence
- Irregular breathing
- Low body temperature
- Mental confusion
- Pale, clammy skin
- Seizure
- Unresponsiveness
- Vomiting
- Coma
The next-day signs of alcohol poisoning are similar to those of immediate side effects. However, this discomfort could indicate that you may need more rest or medical assistance. Because alcohol poisoning can cause similar side effects as a bad hangover, it’s important to know the symptoms of alcohol poisoning the next day to determine whether you need medical help.
Getting Help for Alcoholism
Alcohol abuse can lead to alcoholism – a chronic, progressive, relapsing brain disease that can be difficult for a person to recover from without professional help. Alcohol poisoning is one of the many risks of alcohol abuse, a habit that can impact not only the individual but also their loved ones.
If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol abuse, our luxury drug and alcohol rehab in South Florida can help. We offer medically assisted detox to help clients recover from withdrawal symptoms and cravings for alcohol. Detox can also help prevent relapse, as withdrawal symptoms can be highly uncomfortable and difficult to recover from without medical support.
In addition to detox, our alcohol addiction treatment program also provides clients with the opportunity to sit down with therapists and sponsors to cope with the challenges of recovery. No matter how long you’ve struggled with addiction, we’re here for you.
Call Seaside Palm Beach today at 561-677-9374 for more information about our residential addiction treatment in Palm Beach.
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