HealthInfo West Coast-Te Tai Poutini
Alcohol poisoning
Important
Alcohol poisoning is a serious and sometimes fatal result of drinking large amounts of alcohol.
Phone 111 and ask for an ambulance if you think someone has alcohol poisoning.
If they have stopped breathing, start CPR.
How do I know if someone has alcohol poisoning?
If someone has alcohol poisoning they may:
- smell strongly of alcohol
- have slurred speech
- be confused
- pass out and be unable to wake up (unconscious)
- have a flushed face
- be vomiting
- have seizures
- be uncoordinated
- be breathing slowly, deeply, and noisily.
How to help someone who has alcohol poisoning
- Phone 111 for an ambulance.
- Don't let them drink any more alcohol.
- Keep them warm.
- Stay with them.
- Try to keep them awake and sitting up.
- Give them water to drink.
- If they pass out, lie them on their side in the recovery position.
- Keep an eye on their breathing. If they stop breathing, start CPR.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Page created December 2016.
SourceReview key: HIFAD-141030
