Alcohol poisoning is more than having a bit too much to drink. It is a serious medical condition that could result in permanent injury or death. Excessive alcohol abuse can lead to poisoning whether or not it is accompanied by alcoholism. This is because alcohol may inhibit nerve signals that modulate your ability to breathe. Additionally, alcohol can inhibit your gag reflex, which protects you from choking. Brain damage or death is possible if you don't take immediate action and contact a medical professional.

One sign of alcohol poisoning is vomiting. Somebody who has drank too much alcohol could choke to death on their own vomit while they are unconscious. If somebody becomes easily confused, this can also be a sign of alcohol poisoning.

If somebody passes out and you can't wake them up, this is a big sign of poisoning. The situation becomes even more serious if the person has seizures as a result of alcohol consumption.

Slow breathing is another indicator of poisoning. If somebody is taking fewer than eight breaths a minute, or if there are gaps of longer than ten seconds between breaths, this is likely the result of alcohol poisoning.

Finally, if somebody has a low body temperature and a pale or blue complexion, there is a strong chance they have alcohol poisoning.

It is important to realize that it may take between 30 and 90 minutes for alcohol to enter the bloodstream after it has been consumed. A person's blood alcohol can continue to rise after the develop alcohol poisoning. Even if they don't consume any more alcohol, this is why it is important to seek medical attention immediately. The symptoms will not be reversed by allowing the person to sleep it off, drink coffee, or take a cold shower.

If you or somebody you know has ever had alcohol poisoning, it is important to seriously consider the possibility of addiction. It may be a good idea for the person to enroll themselves in an outpatient alcohol and drug treatment program, which can help a person come to grips with their problems and tackle them head on.

If you want to learn more about addiction and behavioral disorders, get in touch with Solace Counseling. You can also follow us on Twitter or visit our Facebook page.