May 22, 2002
Alcohol, like other drugs, can be abused and can lead to overdoses. It is the nation’s largest youth drug problem. Even when the total deaths from all illicit drugs are combined, alcohol still kills 6.5 times as many young adults and teenagers. Unfortunately, many people do not view alcohol as a hazardous drug, since it is a legal substance for anyone over the age of 21 years old. Additionally, having that first drink or getting intoxicated for the first time is usually seen as a rite of passage to adulthood.
While there are numerous statistics and studies available to illustrate the wide variety of alcohol-related problems, one specific area only recently has received the attention it deserves: binge drinking and alcohol poisoning. Binge drinking is defined as the consumption of 4 or more drinks in a row for girls, and 5 or more drinks in a row for boys. Alcohol poisoning is a severe physical reaction to an alcohol overdose that may be fatal.
When alcohol poisoning occurs, the level of alcohol in the blood is so high that the regions of the brain and central nervous system that control breathing, heartbeat, and other functions are affected and shut down. The drinker loses consciousness, breathing stops, and the heart stops beating. The traffic safety organization Remove Intoxicated Drivers (RID) estimates that as many as 4000 deaths occur annually from alcohol poisoning. And even if the victim lives, coma and irreversible brain damage can result. The symptoms of alcohol poisoning are vomiting, loss of consciousness or a semi-conscious state, unresponsiveness when pinched, slow breathing (less than 12 times per minute or no breathing for 10 seconds or more), or cold, clammy or bluish skin. Death from alcohol poisoning can occur from the brain shutting down respiration and heartbeat, inhaling and suffocating on vomit, or hypothermia (a serious drop in internal body temperature).
Alcohol poisoning is a frequent result of binge drinking. Binge drinking is a special risk for young people, who mainly drink to relieve boredom and stress or to be “cool.” This practice begins around the age of 13, increasing during adolescence until it peaks in young adulthood (ages 18-22), and then begins to taper off. The 2000 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA) revealed almost 1 in 5 young people aged 12–20 was a binge drinker, consuming 5 or more drinks on the same occasion at least once in the past month. Estimates from the study place the number of binge drinkers at 46 million nationally, with 7 million under the age of 21. But binge drinking is not just a phenomenon of youth; proportionally, 19% of underage drinkers (12-20 years old) are binge drinkers, nearly the same as the 21% of binge drinkers over age 21.
For those who drink alcoholic beverages, certain measures can be employed to minimize the risk of alcohol poisoning and intoxication. These include
-- Pace yourself. Drink no more than 1 drink per hour.
-- Alternate non-alcoholic beverages between alcoholic drinks. (For example,
Drink juice, soda, or water every other drink.)
-- Dilute distilled beverages, do not drink them straight. Reduce the amount of alcohol
more with each drink, since the taste buds have been dulled and the difference will not be perceived.
-- Keep active; you will drink less and be more aware of the level of intoxication.
-- Do not participate in drinking games such as “chugging” contests.
-- Use smaller glasses or an additional ice cube to dilute the drink.
Even non-drinkers are likely to be in situations where they are in the presence of someone who has been drinking to excess, so it is important that everyone understand what action is appropriate to take. If someone is encountered exhibiting any of the symptoms of alcohol poisoning, it is imperative to dial 911. Then, stay with the person while waiting for help. If the person is conscious and vomiting, try to keep him or her sitting up. If they must lie down, or are not conscious, keep them on their side with their head turned to the side and watch for choking. Place a pillow on the side of the person to prevent him from rolling. If he or she keeps falling asleep, wake the person up frequently. Do not let him or her “sleep it off,” because alcohol levels in the blood may continue to rise and cause unconsciousness. And do not give the person a cold shower; the shock of the cold may also lead to a loss of consciousness.
Binge drinking is not an acceptable rite of passage behavior. It is dangerous, and often leads to alcohol poisoning and death. Young people especially need to be educated about this hazard. For further information about the effects of alcohol and binge drinking, contact the Central Connecticut Health District at 721-2822.