Alcohol Intoxication
Understand Alcohol Intoxication
Alcohol intoxication, or "drunkenness," is a condition that occurs after drinking too much alcohol. When a person drinks beyond their body's capacity to break down the alcohol, their blood alcohol concentration, or BAC, increases to the point that they become intoxicated. Alcohol intoxication is not only dangerous and illegal, but it can also cause health risks, such as liver and kidney damage.
Alcohol intoxication can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity. Symptoms of intoxication vary based on how much and how quickly a person drinks, but they can include:
- Slurred speech
- Drowsiness
- Loss of coordination
- Confusion
- Slowed reflexes
- Nausea and vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Loss of balance
- Decreased inhibitions
- Memory loss
- Loss of consciousness
Alcohol intoxication can be deadly. High levels of intoxication can cause severe respiratory depression, coma, and death. Long-term health risks include liver damage, pancreatitis, cardiovascular problems, neurological problems, and certain types of cancer.
If you or someone close to you is displaying signs of alcohol intoxication, call 911 for emergency medical help immediately. It is important that they receive medical attention to ensure that their blood alcohol level does not reach a dangerous level. Intoxication can be a sign of an underlying medical condition or a mental health disorder, so it is important to seek professional help.
It is also important to understand the risks of alcohol intoxication and to practice responsible drinking habits. Avoiding situations that can put you or someone else at risk of alcohol intoxication is important. Drinking responsibly includes keeping an eye on the amount of alcohol consumed, not drinking on an empty stomach, alternating drinks with water or a designated driver, eating before or while drinking, and never driving while intoxicated.