How Much Alcohol Can Kill You? A Look at BAC, Standard Drinks, More

Alcohol use and taking opioids or sedative hypnotics, such as sleep and anti-anxiety medications, can increase your risk of an overdose. Examples of these medications include sleep aids, such as zolpidem and eszopiclone, and benzodiazepines, such as diazepam and alprazolam. Even drinking alcohol while taking over-the-counter antihistamines can be dangerous. Alcoholic drinks contain a form of alcohol known as ethyl alcohol or ethanol.

Other influences such as stress and depression can also lead to chronic alcohol use, and possibly alcohol poisoning. It is dangerous to assume that an unconscious person will be fine by sleeping it off. One potential danger of alcohol overdose is choking on one’s own vomit. Alcohol at very high levels can hinder signals in the brain that control automatic responses, such as the gag reflex. With no gag reflex, a person who drinks to the point of passing out is in danger of choking on their vomit and dying from a lack of oxygen (i.e., asphyxiation). Even if the person survives, an alcohol overdose like this can lead to long-lasting brain damage.

Is there a safe amount of alcohol that I can drink without risking death?

Consuming an excessive amount of alcohol in such a short timeframe significantly increases your chances of harmful consequences, like alcohol poisoning. As you drink more, your blood alcohol content (BAC) level continues to climb. Eventually, it becomes so high that your basic mental, physical and emotional functions are no longer able to work properly. However, a person can feel the effects of alcohol abuse and potentially trigger alcohol poisoning, even after they’ve stopped drinking. Your BAC levels keep increasing for up to 40 minutes after your last drink.

• This article discusses the signs, symptoms, and causes of alcohol poisoning.
• Alcohol at very high levels can hinder signals in the brain that control automatic responses, such as the gag reflex.
• Drinking large amounts of water after consuming too much alcohol will not prevent death or reduce the risk of severe harm.
• Your BAC levels keep increasing for up to 40 minutes after your last drink.

On average, 6 people died every day from alcohol poisoning in the US from 2010 to 2012. Alcohol poisoning is caused by drinking large quantities of alcohol in a short period of time. Very high levels of alcohol in the body can shutdown critical areas of the brain that control breathing, heart rate, and body temperature, resulting in death. Alcohol poisoning deaths affect people of all ages but are most common among middle-aged adults and men. Individuals with chronic alcohol use disorder, however, probably aren’t thinking about those poison awareness stickers.

What are the signs of alcohol poisoning?

Reach out to a treatment provider for free today for immediate assistance. The person can become extremely confused, unresponsive, disoriented, have shallow breathing, and can even pass out or go into a coma. For most states in the United States, the alcohol limit to legally drive a vehicle for alcohol poisoning drivers aged 21 or older is currently 0.08% BAC. When paramedics arrive, be ready to tell them what you can about the person. You might need to describe how much the person drank or what they’ve been doing since you called 911. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked.

However, there are ways to prevent yourself from getting into a position where your life might be at risk. That said, it’s worth knowing your body’s limits and what to look for if alcohol poisoning is a worry. It might not be something you tend to think about when you’re relaxing with a few drinks and a few friends. Treatment providers are available 24/7 to answer your questions about rehab, whether it’s for you or a loved one.