Teenagers and Binge Drinking
Talking to Your Teen about Alcohol Poisoning May Help Save a Life
Jan 25, 2009
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIIAAA) reports there are an estimated 10.8 million underage drinkers in the U.S. Twenty-nine percent of 12th graders, 22 percent of 10th graders, and 11 percent of 8th graders were found to have engaged in binge drinking, where binge drinking was defined as consuming 5 or more drinks on a single occasion.
Binge Drinking Can Lead to Alcohol Overdose
Alcohol overdose, or alcohol poisoning, occurs when a person drinks more alcohol than the liver is able to process in the amount of time necessary to get rid of it. The NIAAA defines binge drinking as a pattern of drinking alcohol that brings blood alcohol concentration [BAC] to 0.08 grams percent or above. For a typical adult man, that pattern of drinking is about five drinks in two hours, and four drinks for a woman. A younger person could reach the same level with even fewer drinks, in less time.
Everyone knows alcohol has intoxicating effects on the body. Teens usually drink to get the “buzz” feeling that comes with being intoxicated. But alcohol poisoning can be lethal when the blood alcohol level is so high that it affects the parts of the brain and nervous system that control breathing, heartbeat, and related body functions.
Alcohol Overdose is Deadly
When someone dies from alcohol poisoning, it is in one of the following ways:
- The victim choked on his or her own vomit .
- The victim stopped breathing and his heart stopped beating, usually while unconscious.
- Hypoglycemia (too little blood sugar) leads to seizures.
- Severe dehydration from vomiting which can cause seizures, permanent brain damage, or death.
- The victim choked on his own tongue (not as common).
- The alcohol reacted in combination with some other drug - over the counter, prescription, or illegal (can occur at a low blood alcohol level).
- Hypothermia – alcohol affects the body’s thermostat as well as a person’s perception of temperature. An intoxicated person can die in temperatures as high as 50 degrees F.
Critical Signs of Alcohol Poisoning
Knowing what to look for can save lives. Any of the following can signal a life-threatening situation:
- Mental confusion, stupor, coma, or person cannot be roused
- No response to pinching the skin
- Vomiting while sleeping
- Seizures
- Slow breathing (less than 8 breaths per minute)
- Irregular breathing (10 seconds or more between breaths)
- Hypothermia (low body temperature), bluish skin color, paleness
Talk to your teen about alcohol poisoning. If your teen is with someone who has been drinking rapidly in a short amount of time, he should stay with the drinker until he is sober, checking for critical signs. If the drinker has any of the critical signs listed above, your teen should call 911 immediately and continue to stay with the drinker until help arrives.
By knowing the risks of alcohol poisoning, knowing what to look for and knowing what to do, your teen is better equipped to help save a life.
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