The Effects of Alcohol Poisoning and How Long They Last
Alcohol poisoning effects include seizures, coma and permanent brain damage. Learn the warning signs and get help at Changes Rehab.
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Alcohol poisoning effects can last from a few hours to several weeks. This guide tells you what to do right now if someone is showing signs of an overdose. It then covers how to recognise the warning signs and what treatment looks like after the emergency passes.
If Someone Is Showing Signs of Alcohol Poisoning, Act Now
Alcohol poisoning is a medical emergency. Do not wait to see if it passes.
Call for help immediately if the person cannot be woken or is breathing abnormally. Other emergency signs are blue or pale clammy skin. Seizures or vomiting while unconscious also require immediate response.
CALL ONE OF THESE NUMBERS NOW:
- 10177 (public ambulance)
- 112 (works from any mobile phone)
- ER24 on 084 124
- Netcare 911 on 082 911
While you wait for help to arrive:
- Stay with the person. Do not leave them alone to “sleep it off”.
- Roll them onto their side into the recovery position, with one leg bent and their head slightly tilted, to stop them choking if they vomit.
- Keep them warm with a jacket or blanket. Hypothermia is a real risk.
- Watch their breathing. If they stop breathing, start CPR if you are trained.
- Tell the paramedics exactly how much the person drank and what type of alcohol it was. Also mention any other drugs or medications they took.
Do not do any of these things:
- Do not give them coffee. Caffeine dehydrates them and does not sober them up.
- Do not try to make them vomit. They could choke or inhale vomit into their lungs.
- Do not put them in a cold shower. The shock can cause their blood pressure to drop dangerously.
- Do not let them walk it off. Alcohol is still being absorbed from their stomach, so their condition can get worse even after they stop drinking.
When paramedics arrive, they will assess breathing and consciousness. They may give oxygen or intravenous fluids to stabilise the person before transport to hospital. Answer their questions as clearly as you can.
Is It Just Drunk, or Is It Alcohol Poisoning?
The difference between a drunk friend and someone dying of alcohol poisoning can be hard to see when you are in the moment. Use this table to decide whether to call for help.
| Signal | Very drunk | Alcohol poisoning |
| Consciousness | Slurred but responsive when spoken to | Cannot be fully woken, even by shaking or loud voice |
| Breathing | Normal rhythm | Slow (fewer than 8 breaths a minute) or irregular (10+ second gaps) |
| Skin | Flushed, warm | Pale, clammy or bluish, often cold to touch |
| Vomiting | Occasional, person is aware | Repeated, and may happen while unconscious |
| Coordination | Stumbling, poor balance | Unable to stand, sit up or control movements at all |
| Heart rate | Normal or slightly raised | Slow or irregular |
| What to do | Water, rest, stay with them, monitor | Call an ambulance immediately |
If you recognise any of the right-hand column signs, call one of the emergency numbers above immediately. Do not wait for more than one signal before you act.
How long do alcohol effects last?
When you drink, you typically feel the effects within minutes, lasting a few hours. Your body processes alcohol at its own pace, usually about one drink per hour, but this can be different for everyone.
What are the stages of alcohol poisoning?
- Subliminal intoxication
- Euphoria
- Excitement
- Confusion
- Stupor
- Coma
- Death
Is it normal to feel sick 3 days after drinking?
Most hangover symptoms should begin to subside within 24 hours of your last drink. If you still feel unwell three days later, that is not a normal hangover and you should see a doctor. Prolonged symptoms can signal liver stress or lingering effects from alcohol poisoning.
When to go to the hospital for alcohol poisoning?
If someone is unresponsive or having trouble breathing, get help immediately. Any of the warning signs listed above mean this has moved past drunkenness and into a medical emergency.
What are the signs of alcohol poisoning?
- Confusion or feeling disorientated
- Trouble staying awake or inability to wake up
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Breathing slowly (Less than 8 breaths per minute)
- Irregular breathing (More than 10 seconds between breaths)
- Slow heartbeat
- Skin that feels cold and clammy
Can alcohol poisoning be treated at home?
Alcohol poisoning can cause serious issues, like liver or heart failure, which can be life-threatening. If you suspect you might have alcohol poisoning, don’t try to treat it at home or “sleep it off.” Depending on the severity of the symptoms, hospitalisation may be necessary.
Does water flush out alcohol?
Drinking water will not make your body process alcohol any faster. It does help your liver and kidneys work better once the alcohol has been broken down. Water, sleep and a cold shower might make someone feel more awake, but none of them speed up sobriety.
Does drinking water help with alcohol poisoning?
Let them sip water to stay hydrated if they are awake and alert. If they are unconscious, do not give them anything to drink, as they could choke. Gently roll them onto their side to keep the airway clear.
How do I settle my stomach after alcohol poisoning?
Simple foods like toast and crackers can help raise your blood sugar and calm your stomach. Bouillon soup is also a good choice for replacing lost salt and potassium. If you’re dealing with a headache, an over-the-counter pain reliever can help relieve the discomfort.
Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) measures the amount of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream. It is expressed as a percentage. For instance, a BAC of 0.08% means 0.08 grams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.
The higher the BAC, the more severe the effects of alcohol on the body. At a BAC of 0.05%, legal intoxication occurs, impairing driving and cognitive abilities.
A serious risk of alcohol poisoning arises when BAC goes beyond 0.30%. At that level, loss of consciousness or death can follow. BAC varies by body weight and biological sex, as well as by how quickly drinks are consumed.
Recognising the Symptoms and Signs of Alcohol Poisoning
Symptom recognition is key to addressing alcohol poisoning. Watch for:
- extreme confusion
- repeated vomiting
- Seizures
- slow or irregular breathing
- Hypothermia may show as cold or bluish skin.
These signs indicate a medical emergency. Changes in breathing and body temperature control can be life-threatening. Early recognition is what saves lives. Quick action reduces the risk of permanent damage.
After the Emergency: What Comes Next
Surviving an alcohol poisoning episode is not the end of the story. It is a loud warning that drinking has crossed a line that it cannot quietly cross back.
For someone who has just been discharged from hospital, the first priority is medical detox. Stopping suddenly after heavy drinking can cause seizures, delirium tremens and dangerous blood pressure swings. A supervised detox stabilises the body safely and sets the stage for recovery.
Changes offers medically managed detox in Johannesburg under 24-hour clinical supervision. Our team handles medical aid paperwork so you can focus on the person. Most South African medical aids cover addiction treatment.
Call 081 444 7000 or book a confidential assessment. The first conversation is free and everything is held in confidence.
Complications and Risks of Alcohol Poisoning
Alcohol poisoning causes damage on two timeframes. The immediate risks can kill within hours. The long-term risks can reshape the brain and body for life.
Short-Term Dangers and Immediate Health Threats
The short-term dangers are immediate and severe. One of the most alarming signs is stupor, where the person is barely responsive. Seizures can follow as the body’s glucose levels drop dangerously low.
Vomiting is another common symptom that can lead to asphyxiation if the person becomes unconscious and cannot clear their airway.
Low body temperature, or hypothermia, can develop, putting the person at high risk of organ failure. Confusion and dulled responses are also noted, reflecting the severe impact on the brain.
Irregular breathing and a slow heart rate are life-threatening symptoms that require immediate medical attention. These conditions can quickly spiral into more severe complications if not addressed urgently.
Potential for Long-Term Brain Damage
The long-term effects on the brain can be permanent. Continued heavy drinking causes measurable brain damage, showing up as problems with memory and problem-solving. Casual drinking can slide into addiction faster than most people expect.
Persistent poisoning episodes may also lead to seizures due to damage to brain functions. One major concern is irreversible changes in brain structure that can result in disabilities.
Risks of Death from Severe Alcohol Overdose
Coma and unconsciousness from alcohol poisoning are critical stages that demand immediate hospitalisation. A person in a coma risks permanent harm if they do not receive prompt treatment.
Respiratory failure due to alcohol’s depressant effects on the nervous system is a primary concern and can result in cessation of breathing.
Dehydration from vomiting intensifies the risk of further harm. Severe cases may result in heart failure or serious hypothermia, either of which can be fatal.
Duration and Recovery from Alcohol Poisoning
Recovery from alcohol poisoning depends on how severe the episode was and the person’s overall health. The acute effects usually last several hours, and hospitalisation is often required to monitor vital signs during that window.
Assessing the Critical Recovery Period
Vomiting and confusion can persist for hours after the last drink, as the body works to eliminate the alcohol. Hospitalisation lets the medical team monitor vital signs and intervene if complications develop.
Rehydration is crucial to recovery. Providing adequate fluids helps to flush out toxins and supports kidney function.
Swift medical intervention can prevent serious complications such as seizures or respiratory failure.
Impact of Alcohol Tolerance on Recovery
Alcohol tolerance plays a significant role in the recovery process. Individuals with higher tolerance may not experience symptoms as severely, but this does not reduce the risks or potential damage to their bodies.
Each person’s response to alcohol varies. This inconsistency can complicate treatment, as high tolerance may mask the signs of severe poisoning. It often leads to delayed medical intervention, increasing the risk of complications.
Prevention and Education Strategies
Preventing alcohol poisoning starts with understanding the limits of your own body and avoiding the patterns that cause most cases.
Promoting Responsible Alcohol Consumption
Adults and teens should be informed about the risks of excessive drinking. Setting safe limits, such as drinking no more than one standard drink per hour, helps manage alcohol intake.
Responsible consumption involves understanding safe drinking guidelines and avoiding binge drinking, which is a common cause of alcohol-related harm.
Understanding the Limitations of the Gag Reflex
The gag reflex plays a significant role in preventing alcohol poisoning by triggering vomiting, which helps expel harmful substances. However, it’s important to recognise that relying on this reflex is not a reliable way to prevent alcohol poisoning.
Excessive alcohol can suppress the gag reflex, increasing the risk of choking on vomit. Education on this limitation is essential, as it underscores that the body’s natural defences are not foolproof. Understanding this can deter individuals from overestimating their safety when drinking heavily.