Whether you are out with friends, celebrating a holiday or milestone, or at a party, there will likely be alcohol. It can be easy to get carried away, especially when you are more focused on the people you are with and not what you are consuming. This can be dangerous, as drinking too much alcohol can make you sick.
If you drink too much in a short amount of time, you risk an alcohol overdose or alcohol poisoning. When this scenario happens often, you might be suffering from alcohol abuse or an alcohol use disorder. If you or someone you love needs assistance with alcohol addiction, contact Insight Into Action Therapy at 703.935.8544. Our alcohol rehab in Virginia will help you on your recovery journey giving you the tools to identify your triggers, manage the condition, and ultimately overcome it.
What Is Alcohol Poisoning?
Alcohol poisoning or an alcohol overdose is when you have consumed so much alcohol that your body has trouble functioning. Things like breathing and walking become hard to do, and your body temperature could become very low. If you become intoxicated to this point often, you may be suffering from alcohol abuse.
Signs of Alcohol Poisoning
Alcohol poisoning happens when you consume a lot of alcohol and become extremely intoxicated. While alcohol poisoning and intoxication are similar, alcohol poisoning is more severe. Some clear, immediate signs look like not being able to walk straight, slurring speech, and not being able to focus. Knowing the signs is important to get the correct care. Other symptoms to look for include:
- Vomiting – it can be difficult to stop and cause dehydration in some cases.
- Becoming unconscious – It might be hard for someone to wake you up
- Seizures – This can happen due to your chemical levels being unbalanced
- Confusion – You may not remember where you are or who you are with
- Slow heart rate – Your heart rate and breathing can slow to a dangerous level
It is very dangerous for a person to pass out after drinking a lot of alcohol, as they may choke on their vomit. Because it is very common to become confused, you could end up in a dangerous situation that could get you hurt. Taking any medications while drinking can also enhance any symptoms. In severe cases, alcohol poisoning can even lead to permanent brain damage.
Treatment for Alcohol Abuse
Because all of the symptoms of alcohol poisoning can lead to permanent brain damage, it is important to get help as soon as possible if you are struggling with alcohol abuse. Getting treatment at a rehab facility will help you recover through different therapy and treatment programs. During your time in rehab, you will work on ways to safely quit drinking and learn skills to help you stay sober even after your treatment.
There are other options for treating alcohol abuse, like group therapy, a dual diagnosis program, and process addiction treatment. Working with counselors is the best and quickest way to recover.
Getting Help at Insight Into Action Therapy
Knowing the signs of alcohol poisoning can save a person’s life. Like with most addictions, someone struggling with alcohol abuse may not even realize that they have a problem. Getting treatment for that person will ensure that they will live a happy and healthy life without worrying about them risking their life.
At Insight Into Action Therapy, we offer a variety of therapy and treatment programs to help our clients reach their sobriety goals. Our team will help you through every step, from the beginning to aftercare programs. To learn more about how we can help you, contact us at 703.935.8544.
