Treatment of Alcohol Poisoning

Alcohol poisoning occurs when you drink dangerous amounts of alcohol, so it is obvious that the best treatment is always prevention and control in our drinking habits. Once a person is already suffering of poisoning, his or her body will need to stop alcohol consumption and start the recovery – getting rid of alcohol in the system. The patient must be monitored and supported during this recovery phase.

Support includes oxygen therapy, monitoring and prevention to avoid choking or respiratory problems and the administration of fluids to avoid dehydration. There’s no real cure you can apply for poisoning, as this is different from a hangover.  If you suspect someone is in danger of alcohol poisoning you should call emergency immediately, not only because of the current signs, but also because alcohol hasn’t made its full way into the body (it takes from 30 to 90 minutes).

As the best treatment is prevention, here are some tips you should keep in mind next time you have to deal with alcohol in your life and those around you:

Control your drinking habits.  Consume alcohol with moderation.  Doctors consider safe to have one drink a day if you are woman and two if you are a man.  Of course, less is better. If you drink alcohol because of an underlying cause, know that alcohol will not solve it.

Talk to your kids. Since many teenagers suffer of alcohol poisoning, it is our duty whether as parents or protectors, to inform them about what could happen if someone ingests too much alcohol. This could also help teens and kids to help their friends.

Finally, remember to avoid having alcohol in the house easily available. Small children are easily affected by alcohol since they don’t require heavy amounts to suffer from poisoning. Prevention is key, never forget it.