Alcohol poisoning is a dangerous and often deadly result of consuming large amounts of alcohol over a short time span. Quick and copious amounts of alcohol can disrupt regular breathing processes, causing heart palpitations, disrupting gag reflexes and can sometimes in result in a coma or worse – death. This is also known as binge drinking. Ingestion of household or industrial products containing alcohol can also cause alcohol poisoning.
Risks
Drinking two or more drinks per hour causes the liver to overwork itself. Alcohol also applies pressure to the nerves that control most involuntary actions. Examples include heartbeat, gag reflex, and breathing. Drinking alcohol in excess can either slow down or shut off these normal functions.
One other risk includes a drop in the blood sugar level, resulting in seizures. A more deadly side-effect of binge drinking is a drop in body temperature, which can end in cardiac arrest. Many cases of binge drinking report victims passing out, vomiting, and being unable to regurgitate the vomit in order to breathe.
Alcohol is distributed in 3 main forms:
- Isopropyl alcohol, a form of alcohol found in household cleaning products, alcohol-based lotions, and rubbing alcohol
- Methanol, a primary base for antifreeze/coolants, paints and paint accessories, and some solvents
- Ethanol, the widest known provider of consumptive alcohol. Examples include alcoholic beverages, certain medications, and some mouthwash products.
Over ingestion of any of these forms of alcohol can lead to devastating injuries or death from alcohol poisoning.
Contact Us
Unfortunately, many cases of alcohol poisoning result from binge drinking associated with sorority or fraternity rush periods. If you or someone you know has suffered from alcohol poisoning and you believe that someone else is to blame for this dangerous situation, contact the Indianapolis personal injury lawyers of Hankey Marks & Crider at (317) 634-8565.