Facts About Alcohol and Drug Poisoning
- If you take alcohol, drugs or prescription medication (or a mixture of all 3) in larger amounts, it can cause symptoms of poisoning
- In many cases, the consciousness / balance of the poison is affected, which may fall and incur damage. Breathing and temperature can be affected
What is alcohol and drug poisoning?
Ingestion of alcohol, drugs or drugs (or a mixture of all 3) in such an amount that it gives symptoms.
Background
- Taking larger amounts of alcohol and medicine can cause severe physical and mental reactions
- The person may fall and incur damage
- If you are not conscious, there is a risk that you can throw up, get the vomiting in your lungs and choke
- As alcohol and more drugs expand the blood vessels of the skin, the person loses heat and could be chilled ( hypothermia )
- Even if the person smells of alcohol, that does not have to be the problem. Changes in physical and mental status may also be due to cerebral hemorrhage or heart attack
Typical symptoms
- Smell of alcohol
- Loss of coordination, confusion
- Blushing face
- Deep, noisy breathing
- In case of unconsciousness, breathing may be superficial and the pulse weak
- If a person has taken stimulant preparations, the body temperature may be increased and there may be other signs of heat stroke
First aid
- Cover the patient
- Help the patient to sit or lay down in a warm, comfortable place if possible
- Cover them with a blanket or a sheath so that the patient stays warm
- Look for explanations
- Look for empty medical glasses to find out what they have taken
- Save any vomiting if there is a need to analyse it
- Treat any damage
- Follow with the patient
- Get medical attention if necessary, call 112
- Regularly record vital features such as awareness, pulse and breathing until the help comes
Use of stimulants
- Stimulants such as ecstasy and cocaine can lead to hyperactive behaviour and possibly hallucinations, fatigue and overheating
- If he / she needs help:
- Lower the body temperature by placing the person in a cool place
- Do not cover the person with a blanket as it will increase the body temperature
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