Have you ever had a night out drinking and ended up wondering about alcohol poisoning symptoms vs being drunk? If things get that out of control, it can indicate you or someone you care about has become an alcoholic. Alcohol poisoning is a very dangerous situation and can lead to permanent damage and even death. Buckhead Behavioral Health created a treatment program for alcohol addiction that helps people become healthy again while learning to resist any urges to start drinking again.
What Are Alcohol Poisoning Symptoms vs Being Drunk?
Someone who is heavily intoxicated is not a good judge of how poorly they may be doing. On the one hand, if they say they need help, this should be taken seriously. However, if they insist they are fine while they are actually exhibiting alcohol poisoning symptoms vs being drunk, their opinion should be overruled. As well, even if someone is deemed to be “just drunk” they still may need to be watched so that they don’t consume more alcohol. They may also be an alcoholic who needs to seek professional treatment.
Someone who is drunk but not experiencing alcohol poisoning often exhibits the following signs:
- Loss of balance
- Slurred speech
- Talking loudly
- Bloodshot eyes
- Trouble focusing on a conversation or activity
- Difficulty walking
- Slow reaction time
- Sleepiness
- Dehydration
- Unable to tell that they have reached a serious point of inebriation
Someone who has reached the point of having alcohol poisoning may have some of the above symptoms. In addition, they may also experience:
- Repeatedly vomiting
- Sweating
- Chills
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Skin becomes bluish, particularly their lips or fingernails
- Seizures
- Change in heart rate
- Shallow breathing
- Low body temperate
- Extremely confused
- Losing consciousness
When any of these signs happen, immediate medical help should be sought. Someone who undergoes alcohol poisoning can suffer from permanent brain damage, kidney damage, choking, lapsing into a coma, and even death. Sadly, an average of six people die every day from alcohol poisoning.
What Influences a Person’s Level of Intoxication?
There is a myth that it takes a certain number or types of alcoholic beverages to cause a person to experience alcohol poisoning symptoms vs being drunk. Several factors can influence when a drinking session crosses the line from merely being drunk to having alcohol poisoning. These include a person’s weight, age, and gender. Other factors have to do with how quickly the person consumed the alcohol, their tolerance for alcohol, their general health, and how recently they consumed food. As well, any medications or other substances, including illegal drugs, they’ve consumed influence how they process alcohol.
What To Do If Someone Has Alcohol Poisoning
If a person suspects someone has alcohol poisoning, there are important steps they can take. First, summon emergency medical help or, if possible, transport the person to an emergency room. Do not assume the person can just sleep it off. It’s important they not be left alone, even if they are conscious, because they are not capable of helping themselves. In fact, they may not recognize their need for immediate medical intervention.
If medical help is on the way, keep the person sitting up and conscious. If they lie down, make sure they stay on their side in case they end up vomiting. Once help arrives, explain to the doctor exactly what they drank, any other substances they consumed, and how long they have been in their condition.
How is Alcohol Addiction Treated in Atlanta, GA?
Someone seeking treatment for alcoholism starts by going to detox. This process typically lasts for five to seven days. From there, they either move into residential rehab or outpatient care. Those who have a stable living situation can move back home while attending treatment sessions during the day. Many of the therapy modalities begun in detox or residential continue in outpatient care, which allows the person to build on the skills they have already learned.
Multiple types of therapy help people understand the psychology, emotional reactions, and life experiences that contribute to becoming addicted to alcohol. Learning about this helps people reframe how they think and feel and develop healthy coping skills. As a result, they become able to avoid triggers to relapse and can enjoy the benefits of sobriety.
Types of therapy used to treat alcohol use disorder include:
- Individual Therapy
- Family Therapy
- Group Therapy
- Holistic Therapy
- Trauma Therapy
- Brainspotting Therapy
- Medication-Assisted Treatment
- Neurofeedback Addiction Treatment
- Psychiatry
- Red Light Therapy
People undergoing withdrawal symptoms while in treatment for alcohol addiction can take advantage of using FDA-approved medications to help minimize the discomfort.
Get Help for Alcohol Addiction Today in Atlanta, GA
If you have had experience trying to differentiate alcohol poisoning symptoms vs being drunk, you or someone you love may need alcohol addiction treatment. Buckhead Behavioral Health offers a complex program designed to help people take control of their lives and quit drinking. We have several levels of outpatient care that meet a variety of treatment needs. Our experienced staff helps each person understand the impact of their drinking and learn to embrace sober life.
If you would like to talk to someone about starting our program, visit our admissions page now. Our staff can help you get started on rebuilding your life today.
