While drinking in moderation is generally okay, heavy drinking can be risky. Binge drinking, or consuming excessive amounts of beer, wine, or liquor, may lead to alcohol poisoning–an unhealthy and dangerous condition. Fortunately, knowing more about it can prevent it from happening and potentially save lives.
Fort Behavioral Health helps patients avoid alcohol poisoning by providing treatment that helps individuals with alcohol use disorders stop consuming beer, wine, and liquor. The addiction specialists in our alcohol detox center support each patient throughout the recovery process. Our comprehensive programs address clients’ needs to achieve long-term, sustainable sobriety. Contact us at 844.332.1807, and we can tell you more about our approach to addiction treatment.
What Is Alcohol Poisoning?
Alcohol poisoning is a potentially life-threatening condition caused by drinking too much alcohol in a short period. It occurs when a person’s blood alcohol content (BAC) reaches dangerously high levels, typically due to binge drinking or consuming alcoholic beverages faster than the body can break them down.
When someone has alcohol poisoning, their body cannot process the amount of alcohol consumed, leading to an accumulation of toxins in the bloodstream. Without prompt medical attention, the buildup of toxins may have severe health consequences. Some signs and symptoms of alcohol poisoning include the following:
- Confusion
- Slurred speech
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Slow or shallow breathing
- Irregular heart rate
- Pale or blue skin
- Low body temperature
- Unconsciousness
- Lack of bladder or bowel control
Anyone who begins to display the effects of alcohol poisoning should not be left unattended, as symptoms can be life-threatening.
How Much Alcohol Causes Alcohol Poisoning?
The amount of beer, wine, or liquor it takes to cause alcohol poisoning varies from person to person, depending on their weight and metabolism. Food can take hours to digest, but the body absorbs alcohol very quickly. At the same time, the body processes alcohol slowly. Therefore, the more a person drinks, especially in a short period, the greater the risk of alcohol poisoning.
Generally, it takes about eight to 12 standard alcoholic beverages for the average male’s BAC to reach 0.4%, which is the level at which medical intervention is necessary. It usually takes about six to nine drinks for females to get to the same level of intoxication.
How Much Alcohol Does a Drink Contain?
In the U.S., a single alcoholic beverage depends on alcohol by volume (ABV). For instance, one drink may amount to:
- 12 ounces of beer (5% ABV)
- Eight to nine ounces of malt liquor (7% ABV)
- Five ounces of table wine (12% ABV)
- Two to three ounces of liqueur (24% ABV)
- One to two ounces of hard liquor (40% ABV)
Mixed drinks and cocktails may contain more than one serving of alcohol. The same is true of more robust wines and beers.
Other factors can influence how quickly someone becomes intoxicated. These include:
- Age
- Taking certain medications
- Amount or type of food consumed before drinking
- Health conditions such as liver disease or diabetes
For those who have an alcohol use disorder, the best way to avoid alcohol poisoning is by ceasing the consumption of beer, wine, and liquor. Avoiding binge drinking can also make this dangerous condition less likely to occur.
Get Help at Fort Behavioral Health’s Alcohol Detox Center
If you struggle with binge drinking or have experienced alcohol poisoning, Fort Behavioral Health can help. We specialize in treating patients who have alcohol use disorders and can create a recovery plan specific to your needs. We can also answer any questions about our alcohol detox program and make the transition into our care as smooth as possible.
The comprehensive alcohol detox center at Fort Behavioral Health empowers patients to achieve sobriety. Our innovative treatments and therapies address the root causes of an alcohol use disorder to prevent health complications and save lives. Reach out, learn more, and become confident in your future by contacting us at 844.332.1807 or completing our online form.
