Alcohol poisoning
Overview
Alcohol poisoning can happen when you drink alcohol quicker than your body can process it. It can make you seriously ill and you may need to go to hospital for treatment.
Symptoms
Symptoms start after drinking a lot of alcohol and may include: confusionslurring words or being unable to speakbeing unable to coordinate movement, for example, being unable to stand, walk, or pick things upbeing sickpeeing or pooing yourselfpale or blue-tinged skin - on black or brown skin this may be easier to see inside the lips, on the gums and under the fingernailsslow or irregular breathinghaving a seizure or fitloss of consciousness
Causes
Alcohol poisoning is usually caused by binge drinking, which is where you have a lot of alcohol in one drinking session. It can happen when you drink alcohol faster than your body can filter it out of your blood. Having too much alcohol in your blood stops your body working properly and can be life-threatening. Alcohol affects people differently. Some people may be able to drink more alcohol than others, with fewer effects.
Treatment
You'll need to go to hospital to be monitored if you have alcohol poisoning. It can cause serious complications, like liver and heart failure, which can be fatal. You may be given fluids, which may be given into your veins with a drip. You may also be given help with your breathing until the effects of the alcohol wear off.