What Can I Do?
It’s important that you and your friends know the signs of alcohol poisoning – and recognize that alcohol poisoning is a serious condition that will require emergency medical help. In the case where a friend has become impaired, he or she does not need to be exhibiting all of the symptoms and signs of alcohol poisoning to already be in a deadly situation – and that someone who has passed out, without medical intervention, may not wake up.
Exercise common sense when you go out – be sure that you have a designated driver (or walker) in your party who can keep a sober eye on the group and make sure no one becomes ill.
Think twice before binge drinking – studies have shown that binge drinking in adolescence (which, according to the studies, refers to the period of brain development until our mid-20s) can cause serious, permanent brain damage.
If you are a college student or member of a formal organization, say no to hazing rituals that involve alcohol. According to AwareAwakeAlive.org, 82 percent of college hazing deaths involved alcohol. And as the deaths continue to make headlines across the country, students have an opportunity to become part of the solution by doing away with alcohol-related hazing rituals that include binge drinking, taking shots, or drinking and exposure to the elements.
If you suspect that someone in your group has alcohol poisoning, call 911 immediately and be prepared to provide the operator with as much information as you can regarding what the person was drinking, how much, and how recently, as well as providing details about symptoms.
Never leave someone who has passed out in a room unmonitored. You should consider that this condition has serious, permanent consequences and get emergency medical care immediately. You should not try to induce vomiting while waiting for medical help. A person suffering from alcohol poisoning has an affected gag reflex – which can cause the person to choke on his or her own vomit or aspirate vomit into the lungs, which can cause a fatal lung injury.