Quick Answer: Alcohol poisoning can take several hours to pass, often while the alcohol is still in the bloodstream, and could be fatal. If a patient’s symptoms are severe, they require immediate care. A hangover can last longer, but if the vomiting, confusion, difficulty breathing, or unconsciousness continues, it should be assessed medically.
How Long Can Alcohol Poisoning Last?
Many individuals looking for the answer to “how long can alcohol poisoning last Reddit” will be looking to compare their symptoms with others. But alcohol poisoning is not just a bad hangover.
Alcohol poisoning occurs when too much alcohol affects a person’s body functions. Breathing, heart rate, temperature regulation and consciousness are severely affected.
This depends on several factors like the amount of alcohol consumed, rate of drinking, body size, health, food consumed, and drugs/depressants used. Blood alcohol can continue to increase after someone stops drinking.
Thus, don’t assume that someone will be able to “sleep it off” safely.
Alcohol Poisoning Symptoms to Watch For
Signs and symptoms may include confusion, repeated vomiting, seizures, slow breathing, irregular breathing, clammy skin, and trouble staying conscious. Looking cyanosis (blue or pale skin) is also a sign of serious oxygen level issues.
In addition, unconscious individuals can choke because alcohol can dull the gag reflex. Medical help should be sought immediately.
Call 911 if you suspect that they have alcohol poisoning. Stay with the victim, and lie the unconscious person down on their side.
What Reddit Stories Say About Alcohol Poisoning
For personal stories, plenty are there on Reddit, but of course they’re not intended for making a diagnosis of alcohol poisoning.
A person who posted about his drinking on r/alcoholism, for instance, reported feeling extremely ill, dizzy, and chilled and experiencing stomachaches after a night of excessive drinking. The conversation finally focused on medical evaluation and emergency care.
There was also a post in r/alcoholism and r/alcohol about persisting and serious abdominal pain for over a day. The poster ultimately went to an emergency department.
Another, a newer alcohol user, reported being hospitalized and blacking out with vomiting, and for several days after, they reported some persistent anxiety and tiredness.
With this experience, one can understand the reasons why there are duration differences between the symptoms. More significantly, Internet comments are never meant to be a substitute for medical evaluation by a medical professional.
How Much Alcohol Causes Alcohol Poisoning?
No amount is “safe,” and it can lead to alcohol poisoning. Risk is influenced by how fast the liquids are consumed, the size of the body, and the tolerance, health, food consumption, medications, and other substances.
There is a significant overdose risk associated with binge drinking. But everyone does not necessarily have the same symptoms for severe poisoning to occur.
How to Recover From Alcohol Poisoning
Medical assessment is necessary if there are serious symptoms of alcohol poisoning. Hospitals are able to watch for breathing or hydration issues, as well as check on blood sugar levels and other complications.
Leaving a mild hangover feeling of nausea, tiredness, anxiety, or headache could indicate a severe hangover or another condition. Recurring symptoms warrant a doctor’s attention.
When there is excessive drinking and this occurs regularly, professional help for addiction is a good idea. There are people here at DeLand Treatment Solutions who can help people to find suitable treatment options.
Now When to Worry and Seek Emergency Medical Attention
Call the number right away if a person can’t stay awake, has seizures, has shallow breathing or irregular breathing, or can’t answer until you reach him/her.
Also ask for emergency medical attention if there is vomiting and serious confusion, unconsciousness, or choking. Don’t wait for all signs and symptoms to occur.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take alcohol poisoning to wear off?
Alcohol poisoning may improve as the body metabolizes alcohol. However, severe poisoning can become fatal before alcohol clears. Therefore, do not wait for symptoms to disappear. Emergency symptoms require immediate medical attention rather than home monitoring.
Why do I feel ill 3 days after drinking?
Feeling sick three days later may involve dehydration, stomach irritation, poor sleep, withdrawal, or another medical problem. Persistent vomiting, severe abdominal pain, confusion, breathing problems, or worsening symptoms require prompt medical evaluation.
How do you know if you have mild alcohol poisoning?
There is no reliable “mild” category for self-diagnosis. Confusion, vomiting, poor coordination, and unusual sleepiness can signal dangerous intoxication. Symptoms can worsen quickly, so professional assessment is safer than relying on online comparisons.
What are the three stages of alcohol poisoning?
Alcohol poisoning does not have one universally accepted three-stage system. Symptoms generally become more severe as blood alcohol concentration rises. Confusion and vomiting can progress toward unconsciousness, breathing problems, seizures, and potentially death.
How much alcohol does it take to cause alcohol poisoning?
No fixed number applies to everyone. Risk depends on drinking speed, body size, tolerance, health, food intake, medications, and other substances. Drinking large amounts rapidly increases overdose risk and can become life-threatening.
Why am I still hungover 2 days after drinking?
A severe hangover can last longer than expected, especially after heavy drinking. However, symptoms lasting two days can have other causes. Persistent vomiting, severe pain, confusion, dehydration, or worsening symptoms should receive medical attention.
When should I go to the ER for alcohol poisoning?
Go to the ER or call 911 when someone cannot wake up, has seizures, vomits repeatedly, or has slow or irregular breathing. Blue or pale skin and severe confusion are also emergency warning signs.
What are the symptoms of alcohol toxicity?
Alcohol toxicity can cause confusion, vomiting, seizures, unconsciousness, slow breathing, irregular breathing, clammy skin, low body temperature, and impaired gag reflex. These symptoms can indicate an alcohol overdose requiring immediate emergency medical care.
Disclaimer
This article provides general educational information and does not diagnose or treat alcohol poisoning. Reddit stories represent individual experiences, not medical evidence. Suspected alcohol poisoning is an emergency. Call 911 for serious or life-threatening symptoms.
References
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA): Understanding the Dangers of Alcohol Overdose
- MedlinePlus: Ethanol Poisoning
- The Recovery Village Columbus: Does Alcohol Poisoning Go Away? How Long It Lasts
- The Recovery Village Columbus: Recognizing Alcohol Poisoning Symptoms
- Reddit, r/alcoholism: Alcohol Poisoning Discussion
- Reddit, r/alcoholism: Do I Have Alcohol Poisoning?
- Reddit, r/alcohol: Alcohol Poisoning Hospital Experience
