What Is Alcohol Poisoning? Here Are the Causes, Symptoms, and Management

Alcohol poisoning is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition caused by excessive alcohol consumption. Learn about its causes, symptoms, and how to manage it effectively.

By Jake Parks
Nov 15, 2023 7:00 PM
Man with hangover after drinking alcohol. Flat vector illustration of tiny drunk person sitting with bottle and glasses of liquor. Dizzy brain.
(Credit: SurfsUp/Shutterstock)

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Alcohol, often deployed as a social lubricant, can easily turn into a poison. It's a thin line between enjoyment and danger. Alcohol poisoning is a serious — and sometimes deadly — consequence of drinking large amounts of alcohol over a short period of time.

Understanding what alcohol poising is, recognizing the symptoms, and knowing how to respond could be lifesaving. So in this article, we’ll go over the basics of alcohol poisoning.

What Is Alcohol Poisoning?

Alcohol poisoning occurs when a person drinks too much alcohol, usually over a particularly short period of time. The body can only process a certain amount (about one serving) of alcohol per hour[JP1] . Beyond this, alcohol can start to accumulate in the blood, eventually reaching toxic levels.

Alcohol poisoning impacts the body's vital functions, including heart rate, breathing, and temperature regulation. And in severe cases, it can even lead to coma or death.

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