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WV Wesleyan College
Counseling Center
(304) 473-8090
Buckhannon, WV 26201
kuba_m@wvwc.edu
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Acute Alcohol Intoxication is a Medical Emergency
Acute Alcohol Intoxication is not determined by the amount of alcohol that you think a person consumed or should be able to handle. Keep the following in mind:
- You do not know for certain how someone else's body is going to handle alcohol.
- You do not know the Lethal Dose for an individual and you cannot safely predict their Blood Alcohol Level or the margin of safety between their current Blood Alcohol Level and the Lethal Dose. "Sleeping it off" is often unconsciousness -- a sign of a medical emergency.
- You have an ethical and moral responsibility to involve medical professionals when someone is acutely intoxicated.
Important Signs/Symptoms
Unconsciousness or semiconsciouness
Slow respiration of 8 or less per minute or lapses in respiration.
Cold, clammy, pale, or bluish skin |
Important Action
If a person has one or more signs, call 911 without hesitation.
Turn person on his/her side and make sure they stay that way. This will prevent aspiration if the person vomits.
Remain with the person until medical help arrives. |
Collect any helpful information. For instance, also try to find out:
- If other drugs were consumed (legal or illegal).
- What and how much the person consumed
- When the person started and stopped drinking
- If the person has any other medical problems
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