Recognizing the Signs of Alcohol Poisoning

"The WORST thing to do is to put your friend
to sleep and not have
him/her wake up the next day."

Melissa Gross, Residence Life Coordinator

ON-Line Screening
Do you suspect that you or a friend may be developing a problem with alcohol use? Participate in the online screening (Keyword: DEPAUW) and find out if you may be using alcohol in unhealthy and unsafe ways.

KNOW HOW ALCOHOL IMPACTS YOUR BODY!
Alcohol is a depressant and thus it slows down the body's functions including heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing. Slowed or no breathing will result in lack of oxygen intake to the body. When the vital controlling centers of your body have been deprived of oxygen, unconsciousness occurs. This can lead to irreversible brain damage or death.

SYMPTOMS OF ALCOHOL POISONING:
Semi-consciousness or unconsciousness
Slow, shallow breaths of 8 or less per minute
Lapses between breaths of more than 8 seconds
Cold, clammy, or bluish skin
Strong odor of alcohol

WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT ALCOHOL POISONING:
Try to WAKE the person up.

  • Call their name
  • Shake them
  • Pinch their skin
  • Ask simple questions

Turn and keep the person on their side.
(So that if they get sick they will not block their airway or choke on their vomit).
Check the person's skin.
Is his/her skin pale, blue, cold, or clammy?
Check the person's breathing.
Is it irregular?
Are they taking fewer than 8 breaths per minute or is there more than 10 seconds in between breaths?
If you discover any One of the above problems, stay with the person, call 911.