After drinking alcohol many people experience different things. Some simply get drunk and others may get in trouble for life-threatening conditions. That is why it is very important to have alcohol in moderate quantity especially if you are drinking it for the first time. However, how do you know the difference between alcohol poisoning symptoms vs drunk?
You must address the situation accordingly. In case of alcohol poisoning, you have to be alert and act immediately so the condition can get better. To know the difference let’s start with
What Are The Symptoms of Being Drunk?
Alcohol intoxication signs are pretty common. The severity can vary depending on different individuals but overall they are more or less the same. Some people may have high alcohol tolerance and may not show any symptoms at all. That is also fine. Common symptoms of being drunk include:
- Getting high and feeling euphoric. This is the main reason why people drink alcohol in the first place.
- Usually, a person will become very talkative with no filter in their mouth.
- Thinking abilities are affected and a person becomes more risk-taker. That is why we see common cases of walking on roads aimlessly, people contacting their exes and doing silly things.
- They have difficulty with motor skills. Speech is visibly impaired, walking gets difficult and it is hard to stay put and balanced.
- Getting drunk results in poor judgement and risky behaviours.
- Memory loss is common in drunk people. They usually don’t remember what they did while drunk.
- Increased blood flow due to alcohol causes reddening of the face and neck.
- A person may feel nauseous and sick after drinking alcohol.
What Are The Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning?
Alcohol poisoning is different from alcohol intoxication. If ignored, alcohol poisoning can get life-threatening too. Alcohol poisoning usually doesn’t happen if you drink in moderation. However, if someone drinks irresponsibly and too much, it can lead to alcohol poisoning and requires immediate help.
These symptoms are severe and can include
- A person is not faint but can’t understand what is happening around him. He gets extremely confused.
- The person gets unresponsive while communicating because he can’t understand or respond at all.
- Continuous vomiting is also a symptom of alcohol poisoning. Even when all the alcohol is flushed out, the person still vomits a lot. A person mustn’t lie down because there is a serious risk of choking.
- In some cases, a person will start getting seizures. This is because alcohol affects the brain too.
- Breathing can slow down or there can be difficulty in breathing.
- The skin may get bluish and cold.
- The person becomes completely unresponsive.
Key Differences Between Alcohol Poisoning Symptoms vs Drunk
There is a difference between Alcohol Poisoning Symptoms vs Drunk. Alcohol poisoning means immediate medical attention.
- In a drunk person, symptoms are usually mild and temporary. A person will start gaining consciousness after a while. The person will need a little supervision but overall it’s fine. In alcohol poisoning, you must get immediate help for the person or it can be life-threatening.
- A drunk person will respond a bit. Even if they are confused or slow, they will respond. Whereas, in alcohol poisoning, usually the person becomes completely unaware of their surroundings with no response at all.
- A person can get drunk from moderate alcohol consumption too. However, alcohol poisoning occurs when someone drinks a heavy amount of alcohol in a short period.
What to Do?
- In both cases, the person will need help. In case of being drunk, make sure the person gets complete rest. He has adequate levels of hydration and is not left unsupervised.
- If someone shows signs of alcohol poisoning, take them to emergency medical help. Try to keep them awake till the medical help reaches them. Don’t let them lie down as during gag reflex, they can get choked with vomit.
- Keep monitoring them and if you are trained, do CPR if they stop breathing. Never leave them alone or unattended. Provide basic first aid. If you are trained for emergencies, try to help them immediately.
How To Prevent Alcohol Intoxication And Alcohol Poisoning?
- Always drink irresponsibly. People drink limitlessly when they are in extreme moods. Whether you are having a party or a breakup, make sure you drink in moderation.
- Give yourself time. Don’t drink too fast. Take breaks.
- Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water between every alcohol shot.
- Eat something so alcohol absorption is low and the effect is less.
- Avoid stress drinking or binge drinking.
- Always drink with some family member or friend so they can keep a check and you can be supportive of each other.
What You Should Never Do?
- Never think that the symptoms will get away on their own. Address them and solve them. In case of alcohol poisoning delay can result in choking, being completely unconscious, seizures and even death.
- Having coffee as a remedy. Coffee is dangerous as it has nicotine and is a diuretic which can further lead to dehydration in the body.
- If you see someone having those symptoms, don’t ignore them. Even if you don’t know the person at all or see them randomly in clubs or bars.
- A person might get cold, so keep them warm.
- Never allow them to drive or get on their own.
In short, Alcohol intoxication and alcohol poisoning might be different but a person will need help in both cases. So it is important to drink responsibly and with supervision. The symptoms of alcohol poisoning are severe and can also be life threatening.
