The duration of alcohol poisoning largely depends on how much alcohol was consumed and how quickly the body can eliminate it. Typically, the liver can metabolize about one standard drink (roughly 14 grams of pure alcohol) per hour. If someone has drunk a large quantity, it can take six hours or more to fully clear the bloodstream of the excess alcohol. It can lead to complications such as choking, brain damage, and even death. Prompt medical treatment can help prevent these complications from occurring.

Patient Services

From 1999 to 2016, drug-poisoning death rates more than tripled, from 6.1 per 100,000 to 19.8 per 100,000 individuals. Because everyone is different, and everyone has a different set of circumstances, it makes sense to seek help sooner rather than later. Once you or your friend gets help, it could take a significant amount of time to get their body back to its usual functioning. Consuming alcohol during pregnancy can seriously affect the developing brain, from fetal development to the end of adolescence.
Treating Alcohol Poisoning at Home
- Your height, weight, alcohol tolerance, and hydration levels can all affect how quickly you get drunk.
- At first, you might notice mild impairments, like slurred speech, poor coordination, feeling relaxed or sleepy, or having trouble balancing, remembering, or paying attention.
- Because alcohol can temporarily lower inhibitions, the individual may keep drinking despite warning signs, which accelerates the risk of alcohol poisoning.
At this level, alcohol suppresses the part of the brain that controls basic life-support functions like breathing and heart rate. Data shows that every time you have a drink, your blood alcohol levels increase quickly,8 peaking about an hour later. But that’s true for every alcohol poisoning drink you have—so if you drink a lot in one night, you could experience several of these peaks in a row. Alcohol overdose, also referred to as alcohol poisoning, occurs when an individual consumes large amounts of alcohol in a short span of time. It can cause symptoms such as confusion, uncoordinated movements, vomiting, urinary incontinence, and trouble breathing.
- At The Recovery Village Atlanta, we understand how difficult overcoming addiction can be and how to help.
- Alcohol poisoning is a medical emergency and should be treated in a hospital where the necessary treatment can be provided.
- If you suspect someone has alcohol poisoning, you must act quickly.
- Alcohol intoxication is described as a mental and behavioural disorder by the International Classification of Diseases.
Drug use
- Even though their alcohol tolerance level is high, their blood alcohol levels may be dangerously high.
- People who engage in binge drinking often misjudge how drunk they are, believing they can “handle it.” This miscalculation can be dangerous.
- It’s caused usually by binge drinking and can lead to death or brain damage.
- The symptom progression follows a predictable pattern, beginning with the initial absorption phase (0-60 minutes) when blood alcohol concentration continues rising even after the last drink.
If you or someone you love struggles with alcohol misuse, reach out for help today. Contact The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper to learn more about available treatment options marijuana addiction and take the first step toward recovery. Whether you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way. It may seem like a person has to drink a lot to get to this stage.