Binge Drinking

How Binge Drinking Can Lead to Alcohol Poisoning

by Jonathan Huttner

Binge drinking, which at least 44% of the college population has taken part in between the years of 1994-2004, takes the lives of about 50 college students every year. In excess of 1400 college students die each year from alcohol related injuries. Binge drinking is defined by the National Institute on Drug Abuse as five or more alcoholic drinks in a row for men and four or more for women.

Alcohol poisoning generally occurs when a person consumes a large quantity of alcohol over a short period of time. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, which can be lethal and is capable of producing various physical, emotional and behavioral effects as it acts upon different parts of the brain.

At a low level of alcohol consumption, inhibitions are reduced and vision, movement and speech are impaired. With a greater amount of alcohol, coordination, reflexes and balance is affected, and after that the consumption of more alcohol affects a person's brain to the point where its ability to control respiration and heart rate is impaired. Lastly, a person's heart rate can drop and breathing can cease resulting in coma or death.

The body generally oxidizes about one ounce of alcohol (one drink) per hour. Depending on how much you drink, what you have in your stomach, and how quickly you drink, it may take 45-90 minutes after you stop drinking for you to reach your highest level of intoxication. This is how binge drinking can easily lead to alcohol poisoning. Anyone who has been abusing alcohol and has passed out must be watched very closely because of this delayed intoxication.

Binge Drinking and Alcohol Poisoning

Some of the symptoms of alcohol poisoning due to binge drinking include:

• Unconsciousness
• Vomiting (often without awakening)
• Shallow breathing
• Clammy, pale skin

If you suspect alcohol poisoning, call 911 immediately. If you suspect you or someone you love may have a problem with alcohol or is an alcoholic, call an alcoholism treatment center or drug rehab for a thorough evaluation. It is better to be safe than sorry. Call 1-800-820-5841 to locate an alcoholism treatment center near you.

Jonathan Huttner is one of the founders of Lakeview Health Systems, which has treated over 7,000 people from throughout the United States. Jonathan has been involved in the field of addiction and eating disorder treatment for the last 25 years.