Reliable emergency treatment for alcohol poisoning

Alcohol slows your involuntary nervous system, which controls important functions like breathing, body temperature and heart rate. Alcohol poisoning, or alcohol overdose, happens when you continue to drink despite obvious impairment.

Drinking large amounts of alcohol in a short time – binge drinking – is usually what causes alcohol poisoning. The body can continue to absorb alcohol from the stomach and intestines even after you stop drinking, which is usually because you’ve passed out. Blood alcohol levels can keep rising while you are unconscious.

Coma, brain damage and even death can result from alcohol poisoning. If someone around you has alcohol poisoning, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

At Goshen Hospital Emergency Department, our team of board certified physicians and nurses certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) offers the personalized, prompt care you need for alcohol poisoning in Goshen, IN. We understand the danger at hand and respond quickly to prevent further complications.

How to recognize alcohol poisoning symptoms

Signs of alcohol poisoning include:

• Slow breathing (less than eights breaths in a minute)
• Irregular breathing (more than 10 seconds between each breath)
• Mental stupor or confusion
• Passing out or loss of consciousness
• Vomiting
• Seizures
• Pale or bluish nails, lips or skin

Getting help for alcohol poisoning

Alcohol poisoning requires emergency medical care. If you are near someone with alcohol poisoning, go to the ER or call 911 and stay with the person until help arrives. If they begin to vomit, roll them onto their side.

Serving Elkhart County, Goshen Hospital Emergency Department provides expert treatment for alcohol poisoning. In severe cases, the person may need a ventilator for breathing support until the excess alcohol is cleared from the body. We know that alcohol poisoning can be scary for the patient and those involved. Rely on our staff to offer the personalized care you need.