Did you know that drinking alcohol suppresses the gag reflex (which prevents you from choking) and breathing? Did you know that your alcohol content can continue to rise even after you have passed out? No? The concentration of alcohol in your system can continue to rise because alcohol in your stomach and intestine continues to absorb into the bloodstream, so you can actually continue to “ingest” alcohol long after you’ve gone to sleep or passed out.
Know these symptoms of alcohol poisoning:
1. Vomiting
2. Seizures
3. Cannot wake up, in a stupor
4. Slow breathing (fewer than 8 breaths a minute) or irregular breathing and gasping
5. Blue skin, pale, cold
DO NOT wait for all of these symptoms to be present before taking action. If you are suspicious that an overdose of alcohol may have been ingested, call 911. Alcohol overdoses can result in death or brain damage, so act first and ask questions later!
To read more about alcohol poisoning go to www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov
