# How To Tell If Someone Is Suffering From Alcohol Poisoning Source: https://3rdmil.com/how_to_tell_if_someone_is_suffering_from_alcohol_poisoning/ Last updated: 2026-10-28T23:36:19+00:00 How To Tell If Someone Is Suffering From Alcohol Poisoning - 3rdmil - Blog [Skip to content](https://3rdmil.com/how_to_tell_if_someone_is_suffering_from_alcohol_poisoning/#content) ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/bg_big_alt.svg) ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/shutterstock_1167301555_0-scaled-1-1536x1024.jpeg) ## How To Tell If Someone Is Suffering From Alcohol Poisoning Alcohol poisoning is the result of drinking too much alcohol in too little time. As a general rule, it’s best to avoid drinking more than one drink per hour. The consequences of alcohol poisoning are severe and can even be deadly. ## Why is Alcohol Poisoning So Dangerous? Alcohol poisoning can: - Slow down brain functions that control breathing and heartbeat - Cause vomiting while also affecting the gag reflex, which can cause someone to choke on their own vomit - Lower body temperature - Cause severe dehydration, which can result in permanent brain damage - Lower blood sugar levels and cause seizures - Result in death ## What are Some Signs Someone is Suffering From Alcohol Poisoning? They will exhibit one or more of these signs: - Confusion and disorientation - Vomiting - Hypothermia - Cold and clammy skin - Difficulty staying awake or conscious - Diminished physical coordination, i.e. inability to walk - Irregular pulse and depressed breathing - Seizures - Choking or having a hard time breathing - Loss of bladder and/or bowel control - Blue-tinged skin, especially around mouth and fingers See the poster below that you can put on campus to help students know the signs! ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/AlcoholPoisoning-01-300x225.png) ## What do I do if I think someone has alcohol poisoning? If you notice any of these symptoms, don’t wait to take action. **CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY** and **NEVER LEAVE THEM ALONE**. While waiting for emergency services to arrive, follow these other steps: - Do your best to keep the person awake - Keep talking to the person and inform them of what you are doing, what’s happening, etc. - Keep the person sitting upright if possible - If they are unconscious and laying down, put them on their side with their hands above their head to keep them from choking if they vomit - Get them to slowly drink water if they are awake and conscious - Be prepared to provide information to emergency personnel like how much they’ve consumed in how long, any medications they may be on, what happened and any other details you may have ## Is there anything I should avoid doing with a person experiencing alcohol poisoning? Things **NOT** to do: - Give them coffee or anything else with caffeine in it - Give them food - Give them any medications or drugs - Try to get them to throw up - Walk the person around to “get them to wake up” - Give them a cold shower - Let them “sleep it off” - Leave them alone - Allow them to drink any more alcohol Remember, if you suspect that someone is suffering from alcohol poisoning, **immediately call 911** no matter the circumstances. Their life depends on it. ![Signs and symptoms of alcohol poisoning](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Alcohol_Poisoning-scaled.jpg) *Want to learn more about **[Alcohol Wise](https://3rdmil.com/alcohol-wise/)** for your campus or court? Visit our [website](https://3rdmil.com/) to see how you can make an impact in the lives of those you work with by using our evidence-based courses. *  - [Alcohol](https://3rdmil.com/tag/alcohol/), [alcohol poisoning](https://3rdmil.com/tag/alcohol_poisoning/), [drinking](https://3rdmil.com/tag/drinking/) ## Popular Topics: - [Alcohol](https://3rdmil.com/category/alcohol/) - [Drugs](https://3rdmil.com/category/drugs/) - [Cannabis and THC](https://3rdmil.com/category/cannabis-and-thc/) - [Vaping and Nicotine](https://3rdmil.com/category/vaping-and-nicotine/) - [Human Trafficking](https://3rdmil.com/category/human-trafficking/) - [Healthy Relationships](https://3rdmil.com/category/healthy-relationships/) - [Universities and Colleges](https://3rdmil.com/category/universities-and-colleges/) - [High Schools and Middle Schools](https://3rdmil.com/category/high-schools-and-middle-schools/) [https://3rdmil.com/?s=](https://3rdmil.com/?s=) ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/search_desktop.svg) ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/search_mobile.svg) [see all articles tablet](https://3rdmil.com/?s=) ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/search_desktop.svg) ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/search_mobile.svg) [Page 1 32](https://3rdmil.com/?s=) ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Page-1-3.svg) ## Related Articles [![bg\_sec2](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/bg_sec2-qgm4sqdgtva4y0szr7luczafz6p3apz36ubh34q1g0.webp) ## AI and Academic Integrity: How Universities Can Prevent AI Cheating and Protect Their Reputation ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Little-Squares.svg)](https://3rdmil.com/ai-academic-integrity-higher-education/) [![Cannabis\_ A\_Detailed\_Guide-img](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Cannabis_-A_Detailed_Guide-img-scaled-1-qk224g3aw94ulf50ia25tol5l5prkigud7zuec2bbk.jpg) ## The 2018 Farm Bill Explained: What Schools, Courts, and Agencies Must Know in 2026 ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Little-Squares.svg)](https://3rdmil.com/the-2018-farm-bill-explained-what-schools-courts-and-agencies-must-know-in-2026/) [![hazing prevention photo](https://3rdmil-uploads.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/06212432/hazing-prevention-photo.jpg) ## Hazing Is a Multi-Million Dollar Problem for Universities: Here’s Why Prevention Matters ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Little-Squares.svg)](https://3rdmil.com/cost-of-hazing-universities/) [![Screenshot 2026-05-07 110053](https://3rdmil-uploads.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/07160103/Screenshot-2026-05-07-110053.png) ## Course Highlight: Hazing & Hosting ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Little-Squares.svg)](https://3rdmil.com/course-highlight-hazing-hosting/) [https://3rdmil.com/?s=](https://3rdmil.com/?s=)