About 50 students from universities and colleges across the nation die from alcohol poisoning annually - almost one every weekend! This statistic suddenly took on a personal meaning this month when Kevin Johns, a bright, and well-respected UNM freshman, succumbed to alcohol poisoning after reportedly consuming more than 20 shots of liquor at an off-campus party.
Although the massive alcoholic quantity Kevin consumed in such a short period of time was atypical, other UNM students also engage in dangerous drinking games, thus placing themselves at risk for serious problems including alcohol poisoning. Kevin's tragic death should serve as a wake up call to everyone who has ever participated in a drinking game, for there is no such thing as a "safe drinking game"- it is an oxymoron of serious proportions! Below are answers to some common questions about alcohol poisoning.
How does alcohol poisoning occur?
The drug alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that produces numerous behavioral, emotional, and physical effects as it acts upon specific parts of the brain. First to be affected is the cerebrum, the part of your brain that controls advanced functions like recognition, vision, reasoning, and emotion.
At low intake levels, alcohol reduces inhibitions and affects judgment; vision, movement, and speech are impaired as alcohol levels rise. When the next brain area - the cerebellum- is depressed by alcohol, problems with coordination, reflexes, and balance result.
The medulla controls basic survival functions such as breathing and heartbeat and is the last portion of your brain to be affected. When you've consumed so much alcohol that the medulla is affected, your brain's ability to control respiration and heart rate is severely diminished. Your heart rate can drop and breathing ceases, resulting in a coma and then death.
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How much alcohol is lethal?
The lethal dose of alcohol is clinically defined as the amount that would kill half the population. Most authorities place this dose at about 40 percent, or about five times the legal limit in New Mexico. However, there are many cases in which death occurred from alcohol poisoning at much lower, and in some cases, higher levels. For a 120-pound man or woman drinking very quickly, it would only take about nine to 10 drinks in an hour to reach the lethal level.
It's important to note that the body oxidizes about one ounce, or about one drink, an hour. Depending upon how much you drink, how quickly you drink, and what else is in your stomach, it may take from about 30 to 90 minutes after you stop drinking before you reach your highest level of intoxication. This occurs whether the individual is conscious or passed out, thus it is critical that someone who is semi-conscious or unconscious be constantly evaluated.
What are the symptoms of alcohol poisoning?
Symptoms include vomiting, passing out, difficulty waking up and slow, shallow breathing.
Are there actions to take if you suspect alcohol poisoning?
There are steps you should take if you encounter someone who could be suffering from acute alcohol poisoning. It is dangerous to assume a person will be fine by "just sleeping it off."
l Determine if the person is at all attentive. Are they unconscious? Can they be awakened? Try and call their name. Pinch their skin - they should have a reaction. (Remember, alcohol is a depressant that numbs the nerves so pinching the skin will help you gauge how far along in the "overdose" process they are).
l Turn the person on their side and do not leave them alone. Placing them on their side will keep the airway open should they vomit.
l Check skin color and temperature. If their skin is pale or bluish, or cold or clammy, call 911. They are not getting enough oxygen.
l Check the person's breathing. If it is irregular with a few breaths and then nothing for a while, call 911. If their breathing is too slow or shallow - less than 10 breaths a minute - this is another signal to get help.
l There are no absolutes and these are just some of the potential signs of acute alcohol poisoning. A person may have one, or all of these signs. There is no guarantee that if a person is breathing 11 times a minute they will be fine, or if they are breathing 8 times a minute they will die. If you cannot wake the person up at all, it is a serious situation. If you are at all concerned, don't hesitate to get help.
What if it is a false alarm?
In the end, it's all about friendship. You may not want to act because you're afraid when your friend wakes up, he or she will be mad at you. But at least your friend will wake up! And how upset can anyone really be when they realize you did it out of concern and friendship?
There is only one response you can trust at that moment - better saf`e than sorry. The drinker may risk a policy sanction and maybe some embarrassment, but it will pass. None of these consequences compare to losing a life.
Don't let fear about how your friend will respond tomorrow prevent you from getting help when needed. Make sure you and your friend have the next day to talk it over. It may be the greatest thing you could ever do in the name of friendship!
Jill Anne Yeagley
Daily Lobo Guest Columnist
Jill Anne Yeagley is the program manager at UNM's Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. For more information about substance abuse, call the center at 277-2795.
