Alcohol Poisoning

Generally, Alcohol Poisoning occurs in seven distinct stages where each stage is succeeded with worsening progress than its predecessors. This is because, during each stage, the level of Blood Alcohol Concentration increases with each stage hence adding to the severity of the symptoms. 

These stages are listed below:

Sobriety

This is the first stage of Alcohol Poisoning. During this intoxication level is extremely low. It occurs if a person has consumed one or fewer drinks in the past hour. Therefore there are no apparent signs such as drowsiness or slurred speech. During this stage, the Blood Alcohol Concentration is very less and may range between 0.01 to 0.05%.

Euphoria

 If you drink two to three drinks in an hour, you will most likely now enter the Euphoric Stage. During this stage, there are some evident signs of intoxication however not very severe. You will tend to feel more confident, extroverted, and talkative. However, some of the negative impacts will also be seen. Such as reduced alertness, delayed reflexes, and motor disturbances. Blood Alcohol Concentration during this stage may range between 0.03 to 0.12%.

Excitement

Being excessively excited is the third stage. During this stage, your Blood Alcohol Concentration may lie between 0.09 to 0.25%. At this time you start feeling the effects of Alcohol on a more profound level manifesting as emotional outbursts. You may also have significant memory issues, loss of balance, and even vision problems. 

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The ones around you will easily be able to tell that you are drunk. This happens when you drink at least four to five drinks in an hour.

Confusion

When you consume more than five to six drinks, you are most likely to enter the stage of confusion. During this stage, your Blood Alcohol Concentration lies between 0.18 to 0.30% and you feel confused about everything. Your cognition and coordination are impaired which means your gait is disturbed and you may be waggly while walking. You also tend to be disoriented, forgetting where you are. There are also high chances of experiencing blackouts without completely losing consciousness. The effects of this stage make you vulnerable to serious kinds of injury.

Stupor

At this stage of Alcohol Poisoning, severe effects begin to kick in. You may become completely disoriented from your surroundings, unable to tell what’s going on. Absolute loss of motor coordination therefore you won’t be able to walk.

In addition to this, your reflexes become seriously disturbed such as gag reflexes. It is a huge concern at this point because death may occur if a person chokes from their vomit. At this stage, it becomes of immense importance that you seek medical help.

Coma

During this stage, your breathing and circulation are slowed down to such an extent that functional systems become severely impaired. Motor responses are extremely delayed. Your body temperature may also drop to several degrees resulting in hypothermia and blue-tinged skin.The Blood Alcohol Concentration during this period is dangerously high. It will range between 0.35 to 0.45. Emergency Medical Intervention is necessary to prevent mortality.

Death

If your Blood Alcohol Concentration level reaches more than 0.45, there are chances of death. Your body at this stage becomes incapable of sustaining vital functions to ensure your survival.

NOTE: Death may even occur at lower ranges of Blood Alcohol Concentration than this. There is no fixed range so it may vary from person to person.