Acute Alcohol Poisoning

A case of acute alcohol poisoning is serious and needs treatment as soon as possible. Many people are not aware of this lethal consequence to drinking, especially college students.

Find out how to save someone's life!

Sadly, many college students become victims of acute alcohol poisoning due to their inexperience with drinking. People are at risk when they drink large quantities of alcohol in a short amount of time, also known as binge drinking. Binge drinking overwhelms the liver's capacity to process and remove alcohol from the bloodstream. When this happens the organs begin to shut down, and death may follow if help doesn't arrive in time.

• Breaking away from parents: Many college students have never been away from their parents, and they take this opportunity to do a lot of things they wouldn't necessarily try at home.
• Stress: Classes, papers and exams make college stressful. Being able to go out with friends, have a few drinks and forget about the seriousness of school can be a stress reliever when drinking is kept within reason.
• Numb pain: Some college students have trouble adjusting to a new living situation or have other issues that can lead them to drinking to help forget what is truly bothering them.
• Peer pressure: Since many college students drink, they pressure their friends into doing the same.

• Be careful of how much you drink. The liver is rarely able to process more than one alcoholic beverage an hour, and for some people it takes even longer.
• Always bring a friend with you.
• Make sure you are in a safe environment.
• Do not go off with someone you do not know.
• If you feel sleepy, ask someone to check on you.
• Monitor how much your friends have been drinking.
• Stay with friends that were drinking to make sure they are okay.

If you have a friend that may be at risk for acute alcohol poisoning, here are some of the things you need to look for after your friend has been drinking. Never think that someone who is drunk is just "sleeping it off". You need to check the person to make sure he or she is okay.

Here are some questions to ask yourself to determine if someone is suffering from alcohol poisoning.

• Has the person been drinking?
• Has the person passed out?
• Can you wake the person up?
• When you touch the person, does his or her skin feel clammy, cool or look bluish?
• Is the person breathing regularly (more than eight breaths in a minute and no more than 10 seconds between each breath)?
• Is the person shaking uncontrollably or having a seizure?
• Is the person vomiting?
• If the person is conscious, is he or she confused?

Someone does not have to have all of these symptoms to be in danger. If you are unsure whether the person is okay, you need to call for help right away. Do not leave the person to get someone else, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Many college students do not think about the risk of dying from alcohol abuse. This is an exciting time in life and no one wants to think of the "what ifs". Having a good time is important in college; you just have to make sure you keep it safe as well.

You don't have to be the drinking police when you go out with your friends. Just be aware of the dangers of too much alcohol. Don't lecture your friends about it, or they won't want you to hang out with them. When you see someone that has had too much, stay close to the person. This way, you can keep an eye on him or her so you can help if needed.

Please take some time and review this information with your college student. Many students do not know what excessive alcohol use can do to the body. You may think your son or daughter won't listen, but when situations arise, it's amazing what comes to mind. Talking to your college student can not only save your young adult's life, it can also save the life of a friend.

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