Alcohol Poisoning - from drunkenness to death

Alcohol poisoning, known as acute intoxication in emergency departments, is when a large amount of alcohol is drunk, followed shortly afterwards by changes in mood or behaviour, impaired judgment or social functioning and one or more physical signs of drunkenness, such as slurred speech, unsteadiness, lack of co-ordination, impaired attention or loss of consciousness.[5]

The physical effects of alcohol poisoning are many, from nausea, vomiting and dehydration, which are familiar symptoms to those who may have drunk too much on occasion, to the worst complication of death.

The term ‘alcohol poisoning’ is sometimes used to describe the most serious and life-threatening complications of alcohol overdose, such as slowed breathing and loss of consciousness.

The lethal dose of alcohol is 5 to 8g/kg (3g/kg for children)[6] – that is, for a 60kg person, 300g of alcohol can kill, which is equal to 30 standard drinks (about 1 litre of spirits or four bottles of wine).

The table below summarises the various symptoms and complications that can occur from drinking too much alcohol on a single occasion, by body part affected. This includes symptoms caused directly by the excess alcohol, such as nausea, slurred speech and mood changes, but also health problems caused indirectly by alcohol, such as unsafe sex and injuries.

Potential symptoms and complications of acute intoxication or alcohol poisoning by body part affected