How Long Does Alcohol Poisoning Last?

What Is Alcohol Poisoning?

Alcohol poisoning is a side effect of drinking too much in a short period. As the liver encounters more and more alcohol, it struggles to metabolize it. Liver metabolism is integral to eliminating substances from the body.

When the liver cannot break down alcohol effectively, the substance is free to enter the bloodstream, leading to intoxication. The more alcohol someone consumes, the more intoxicated they become.

Excessive intoxication leads to dangerous symptoms, which may impact the lungs and heart. Breathing and heart rate may slow. If the body cannot eliminate alcohol fast enough, this can lead to coma and even death.

Risk Factors for Alcohol Poisoning

The number one risk factor for alcohol poisoning is binge drinking. Otherwise, many factors may increase someone’s chances of getting alcohol poisoning while binge drinking. They include:

• The person’s height
• The person’s weight
• Any pre-existing health condition(s) the person has
• How the person’s body naturally processes alcohol
• How recently, how much, and what the person ate before drinking

Taking alcohol with other substances may also increase the chances of alcohol poisoning. These can be illicit substances or prescription medications, so always check with a doctor before drinking with other drugs.

How fast someone drinks and the percentage of alcohol in those drinks also matter. Drinking large amounts of hard liquor is the most dangerous, as it contains 40% alcohol or more.

Alcohol Poisoning Symptoms and Signs

The first sign of alcohol poisoning is consuming excessive alcohol in one sitting. Experts define excessive or binge drinking as consuming more than four or five alcoholic beverages within two hours.

Excessive drinking leads to signs of intoxication. These signs include slurred speech, clumsiness, and loud speech. As a person continues to drink, they may showcase symptoms of alcohol poisoning, such as confusion and vomiting.

These early signs of alcohol poisoning may not be deadly. However, depending on how much alcohol the person has consumed, they may begin to experience more dangerous symptoms of alcohol poisoning.

Dangerous Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning

Alcohol poisoning is a serious medical condition. It comes with dangerous and often deadly symptoms. The most concerning signs that an intoxicated person may have alcohol poisoning include:

• Unconsciousness
• Slowed or irregular breathing
• Low body temperature
• No gag reflex
• Blue, grey, or pale skin
• Seizures
• Brain damage

If you or someone you know experiences any of these symptoms, calling emergency services as soon as possible is critical. Alcohol poisoning can be fatal when left untreated.

To help people remember these symptoms, experts have developed a helpful acronym: CUPS. This stands for cold skin, unconsciousness, puking, and slow or shallow breathing, some of the most common symptoms of alcohol poisoning.

Alcohol Poisoning and Death

Binge drinking rates in Canada may be declining, but alcohol poisoning-related deaths are rising. In 2019, 3,200 Canadians died from alcohol overdose. In 2021, that number increased to more than 3,800.

Alcohol poisoning-related deaths can happen due to vehicle accidents or violence. Also, people can stop breathing due to alcohol poisoning. More commonly, alcohol poisoning fatalities occur due to choking on vomit.

This may occur when someone becomes unconscious, after which they start vomiting. If they throw up while lying on their back, they may choke. For this reason, it is crucial to keep very intoxicated people awake and upright.

How to Know if You Have Alcohol Poisoning the Next Day?

You know you have alcohol poisoning the next day if you experience the above signs and symptoms. People who survive alcohol poisoning may experience symptoms of a severe hangover the following day.

These hangover symptoms typically come from the body trying to return to normal. People may vomit excessively as the stomach attempts to eliminate the alcohol. Or they may experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

However, it is important to understand the distinction between hangovers and alcohol poisoning. People may have a severe hangover after alcohol poisoning but can also experience hangovers without alcohol poisoning.

Alcohol Poisoning vs Hangover: Are They the Same?

No, alcohol poisoning and hangovers are not the same. Hangovers make people feel awful after a night of excessive drinking, but they are not life-threatening like alcohol poisoning can be.

A hangover is a symptom of the body trying to return to normal. Alcohol levels in the bloodstream drop, leading to withdrawal-like symptoms. Symptoms of a hangover include the following:

• Nausea
• Exhaustion
• Headaches
• Dry mouth
• Excessive thirst
• Photophobia (sensitivity to light)
• Hyperacusis (sensitivity to sound)
• The shakes
• Dizziness
• Vertigo
• Muscle aches
• Irritability
• Confusion
• Trouble concentrating
• Sleep problems
• Anxiety

These symptoms often come about due to dehydration and sleep deprivation. Alcohol is also an irritant to the GI tract and causes bodily inflammation. Both of these effects can worsen hangover symptoms.

Additionally, many experts believe that hangovers are linked to alcohol withdrawal. Withdrawal is something alcoholics experience when they stop drinking suddenly.

However, people do not have to be alcoholics to experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol functions as a depressant on the central nervous system. As the metabolism of alcohol occurs, the accompanying withdrawal of its suppressive properties results in the subsequent stimulation of the central nervous system.

A hangover may feel deadly, but most dissipate within 24 hours. Drinking plenty of fluids and resting can help the body eliminate alcohol faster. Alcohol poisoning can last longer and is more challenging to treat.

How Long Does Alcohol Poisoning Last?

Alcohol poisoning lasts as long as it takes the body to eliminate the substance. The time it takes the body to eliminate alcohol from the bloodstream depends on how much the person consumes. It also depends on alcohol’s half-life.

A substance’s half-life determines how long it takes the body to break it down completely. Alcohol has a half-life of four to five hours. So, it takes four to five hours to eliminate half the alcohol from someone’s system.

In total, it would take around 25 hours to eliminate an alcoholic beverage from someone’s system completely. Consuming more alcohol during that time would make the symptoms of alcohol poisoning last longer.

How Long Do Alcohol Poisoning Effects Last?

Alcohol poisoning effects last as long as alcohol is still in someone’s system. However, alcohol poisoning may cause brain damage. Alcohol overdose brain damage is not always reversible and is often permanent.

How to Deal With Alcohol Poisoning

The first thing to do if someone has alcohol poisoning is to call 911. Regardless of how many or how severe someone’s symptoms are, medical care is the best way to prevent the deadly consequences of alcohol poisoning.

Never leave someone suspected of having alcohol poisoning alone. Help the person stay awake and keep them upright to prevent them from choking if they start vomiting.

Sometimes, a person may become unconscious while waiting for emergency services. In that case, push them onto their side to reduce the risk of asphyxiation from vomiting.

If the person’s skin feels cold to the touch or turns blue, cover them in a blanket. This can help prevent hypothermia, which occurs when the body’s internal temperature drops dangerously low.

It is crucial to ensure someone does not consume more alcohol or use other substances if they show signs of alcohol poisoning. Instead, encourage the person to drink water until help arrives.

Alcohol Poisoning Treatments

Medical professionals treat alcohol poisoning in various ways. The exact treatment depends on the severity and the person’s symptoms. Most people need IV fluids to prevent further dehydration.

People with slowed or irregular breathing may require intubation. Intubation delivers oxygen straight into the lungs. The breathing tube will remain in place until the person can breathe normally again.

In more severe cases, doctors may need to pump the stomach. The goal here is to remove all alcohol from the person’s gut to prevent it from causing further issues.

Another treatment reserved for more severe cases of alcohol poisoning is blood filtration. Dialysis machines can assist the kidneys in removing alcohol from the bloodstream.

Is Alcohol Considered a Poison?

Yes, alcohol is considered a poison that can cause intoxication, stomach irritation, and even death. Yet, it can be hard to remember this fact considering that alcohol is legal to consume- even in excess.

To see the harmful effects of alcohol, look no further than alcohol poisoning and hangovers. These conditions differ greatly but feature negative physical and mental reactions to excess alcohol consumption.

Long-term consumption of alcohol is even more damaging. It can increase the risk of chronic diseases like hypertension, heart disease, stroke, and liver disorders. Excessive alcohol use also increases one’s risk of certain cancers.

Brain damage is also possible for short- and long-term binge drinkers. People who consistently consume large amounts of alcohol commonly experience problems with learning and memory, mental health issues, and AUDs.

AUDs are alcohol use disorders. Also known as an alcoholic, someone with an AUD cannot control their alcohol consumption. Without treatment, AUDs can cause life-threatening health complications and social ramifications.

Treatment for Alcoholics

If you or someone you love has experienced recurring bouts of alcohol poisoning due to an AUD, seek help now. An alcoholism treatment center can help prevent the deadly consequences of alcohol poisoning and AUDs.

Here are the types of treatments available at rehab centers in Ontario.

Detox

Alcoholism treatment begins with detox. Also known as withdrawal management, detox is the process of eliminating all alcohol from your system. During this process, many people experience withdrawal symptoms.

Withdrawal symptoms range from mild to severe. Mild symptoms include increased blood pressure, difficulty sleeping, tremors, anxiety, GI issues, headaches, and heart palpitations.

Moderate symptoms can be more challenging to manage. They may arise 12-24 hours after someone takes their last drink and include hallucinations and seizures.

Around 50% of people who experience seizures will develop severe withdrawal symptoms. The longer and the more someone drinks, the higher the likelihood of extreme withdrawals. These symptoms may include:

• Delirium Tremens: A psychotic condition featuring hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia
• Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome: A condition featuring cognitive difficulties, visual disturbances, and psychotic symptoms

People with moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms should consider medically-supervised detox. This lowers the chances of the withdrawal process becoming deadly.

Plus, patients can access withdrawal management drugs like benzodiazepines.

Inpatient Treatment

Detox is often a precursor to inpatient treatment. Inpatient treatment is also known as a residential program because patients live at the facility where they receive care.

The types of treatment someone receives at an inpatient facility depend on their unique needs. However, treatments typically include individual counselling and group therapy.

Patients can also access medications to help ease their alcohol cravings. Naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram are Health Canada-approved to treat alcohol cravings in people with AUDs.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment is only suitable for people who do not require detox services. It is best for individuals with strong home support systems, as they will not reside at the treatment facility.

Instead, they must commute to treatment sessions. While this option offers the flexibility needed to work and be with family, it may expose people in recovery to temptations and triggers. As such, it is best for people with mild AUDs.

Get Help for Alcohol Use Disorder in Ontario

If you are wondering, “How long does alcohol poisoning last?” or “How long does alcohol poisoning stay?” this guide has the answers to your questions.

People who experience alcohol poisoning may have an alcohol use disorder. The good news is that you do not have to suffer in silence. Contact Simcoe Addiction and Mental Health in Ontario to learn more about treatment.