Can Alcohol Kill?

Alcohol, when consumed in moderation can be an enjoyable source of pleasure for many, but like many things if taken to excess it can be poisonous enough to kill.

The fact is that if someone drinks an extremely large amount of alcohol quickly in one go, there is a very real risk of serious injury or even death. Unfortunately there are young people who make that mistake every year, and as a consequence tragedies will and do occur. The amount of alcohol required to do harm depends on the individual’s size, weight, gender, genetic make-up and other factors.

But how much is to much? It is clear that if an average person drank one and a half 75cl bottles of spirits or equivalent at one time, it would be enough to kill them. If the individual is small or female - or both - they may die or come close to death on half that amount.

How Can Alcohol Kill?

Alcohol consumed in gross excess at one time can have dangerous affects on the body in two ways: it depresses the brain and irritates the stomach.

The brain among other things controls breathing, the heart and body temperature. In other words it controls the body’s accelerator and thermostat. If too much is drunk, the foot comes of the accelerator, the thermostat is switched off and the body just winds down until something stops - such as the heart.

Add the second effect, the stomach irritation, and there is another danger. To vomit when the brain is malfunctioning means that choking to death is a real risk. Even worse, vomiting in this condition can trigger an instant nerve reflex that stops the heart - dead. If the two effects work together, a person could die from choking after a much smaller dose than is needed for direct poisoning.

	Drink Moderately
	Drink Slowly
	Space Your Drinks
	Eat With Your Drinks

DON'T

	Drink to excess
	Drink drinks if you are unsure of what's in them
	Get into drinking competitions
	Down large drinks at speed for bets
	Get pressured into drinking more than you want to

What symptoms will a person with Alcohol Poisoning have?

The person will be collapsed and difficult or impossible to rouse.

The skin will be cool and clammy to the touch.

Breathing will be slow and noisy, and the eyes may be wide.

There may be vomiting and have wet themselves - or worse

	Call an Ambulance
	Ensure the person's mouth is clear and that they can breath
	Put them in the Recovery Position
	Keep them warm

DON'T

	Leave them alone
	Try to walk them about
	Give them anything to eat or drink

This information was extrapolated from a Portman Group leaflet.

To find out more information about Alcohol and its effects go to the Links Page.

<< Back

Back to top