Alcohol poisoning
If you see these signs, you need to act quickly
Alcohol poisoning can be life-threatening.
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Alcohol poisoning can have serious consequences. That’s why it’s important to recognize the signs and react correctly.
The party was just fun, but suddenly someone falls off a chair and is no longer responsive. The transition from mild intoxication to dangerous alcohol poisoning can happen quickly. Then you need to act quickly because such poisoning can be fatal. How to recognize alcohol poisoning and how to react to it.
When it comes to alcohol, it is often referred to as a stimulant. The beer after work serves as a reward for work done, while a glass of sparkling wine is used to toast successes and other happy occasions. But the truth is that alcohol is a cell poison. The body can only break it down in small amounts. When it becomes too much depends on many different factors, such as body weight and size, what and how much was previously eaten. According to that According to the Federal Statistical Office, around 57,000 people had to be treated in hospital for acute alcohol poisoning in 2022. The largest age group was those under 19 years of age.
Drunk or already poisoned?
It is often not easy to tell whether someone is “just” drunk or is already seriously suffering from alcohol poisoning. The first sign can be vomiting. If the person becomes unconscious, you should react immediately and call the emergency services on 112. If in doubt, it is better to call the emergency number too often than too little.
On the campaign website “Alcohol? Know your limit” Alcohol poisoning is divided into four stages. Medical help may be necessary even at the second stage. Those affected appear disoriented and confused. Language and coordination difficulties also occur. At stage three there is loss of balance and vomiting. Those affected are hardly responsive, are in a kind of state of shock and can lose consciousness. An ambulance must be called now at the latest. At the fourth stage, circulatory failure and respiratory failure can occur.
First aid for alcohol poisoning
If the potentially alcohol-poisoned patient is unconscious, the first thing to do is to take care of the Take initial precautions and then call the emergency services. The person affected must first lie stable. This will prevent him or her from choking on their own vomit. For the stable side position, the patient is first laid on his back, the head is gently bent backwards and one arm is placed next to the head, bent upwards. The other arm is brought over the chest while holding the hand under the cheek. Then the knee is bent and the person is carefully turned to the side. The person is now lying with their cheek on their hand. The mouth is opened to allow vomit to drain out of the mouth.
If the patient is lying safely, the emergency number is called on 112. You should tell them what happened as succinctly as possible. But don’t hang up immediately, wait for possible questions.
Don’t let people with alcohol poisoning out of your sight
If the emergency services are on the way, the affected person must be taken care of until they arrive. Under no circumstances should the person be left alone. If she is still or responsive again, it is important to talk to her and keep her awake. If possible, you can try feeding her water.
The health insurance company will cover the trip to the hospital. Treatment for alcohol poisoning there can take between twelve and 24 hours. In order to be prepared for these and other emergency situations, we recommend this German Red Crossto take a first aid course approximately every two years. Life-saving measures, such as the recovery position, can be refreshed regularly.