Alcohol Poisoning is a medical emergency
Overconsumption of alcohol can be life-threatening.
Alcohol poisoning can cause a person’s heart and lungs to shut down and lead to death.
Even if you have been observing a friend’s alcohol consumption, you may not know how alcohol is interacting with prescription or over-the-counter drugs the person may have taken. Watch out for each other!
Call 911 immediately if a person who has been drinking...
- Is unconscious – cannot respond or be awakened.
- Has irregular, slow or shallow breathing.
- Is cold or clammy, has a bluish tint to the skin, or has a fever.
- Rescue personnel will assess the danger and if necessary transport the individual to the emergency room of a local hospital or the Detoxification Center, depending on the person's needs.
- A person who is transported to the Tellurian UCAN Detoxification Program will be medically monitored around the clock and treated by trained, qualified medical and addiction services staff. Once individuals recover from the medical emergency, a full assessment is conducted and referrals for further services are made depending upon their assessed needs, in accordance with the State of Wisconsin Uniform Patient Placement Criteria.
While waiting for emergency personnel...
- Keep an unconscious person on his or her side to keep them from choking if they should vomit.
- Stay with them.
- Cooperate with emergency medical personnel or police, and give them accurate information.
What if a person is conscious but is disoriented or unable to walk alone?
- Disorientation or inability to walk alone are signs that a person’s condition should be evaluated by professionals.
- Safety is the most important consideration.
- Stay with the person. Do not leave them alone or allow them to wander off.
- A person who has overdosed on alcohol can choke to death on their own vomit.
- Risks continue even after a person has stopped drinking.
- Because judgment is impaired, the drunk person is at risk for injury or other harm.
- Call 911 so a qualified professional can evaluate the person's condition.
Call 911 if a person who has been drinking is injured
- Head injuries are especially dangerous.
- An intoxicated person usually cannot evaluate the severity of an injury.
- Never take a risk with a friend's life.
