Partying in Bellingham
Alcohol Poisoning and Drug Overdose 101

Alcohol Poisoning and Drug Overdose 101

Alcohol poisoning is a severe reaction to an overdose of alcohol. As the host of your party, you are responsible for the welfare of your guests. As a guest, you can also help to ensure the safety of other guests. If you notice anyone exhibiting the following signs of an alcohol emergency, you must act quickly:

What to Look For

  • ANY trouble breathing

  • Unconscious or unresponsive

  • Vomiting related to drug ingestion

  • Vomiting Blood· Any injury with intoxication

  • Disorientation or stupor, panic

  • Convulsions

  • Unable to stand/walk without help

  • Bluish, cold, or clammy skin (or bluish lips)


    • What to Do

  • Call 911 if ANY of the alcohol or drug overdose symptoms are present

  • Stay calm and inform the person of what you are going to do

  • Try to find out what they have taken, how much and when

  • Lay the person on their side in case they vomit

  • Stay with them; don’t leave them alone

  • Monitor the person’s breathing

  • Reduce stimuli, create a quiet, safe place, and try to keep them calm and conscious

  • Try to find out from others what and how much they drank, what medications they take or what other drugs they might have taken


    • What NOT to Do

  • Don’t give the person coffee, tea or other stimulants to sober them up—the only thing that will sober up a person is TIME

  • Don’t give them a cold shower—the shock may cause the person to pass out OR they can fall and injure themselves or you

  • Don’t let them pass out and “sleep it off”· Don’t leave them alone· Don’t induce vomiting

  • Don’t restrain the person – if they are that out of control or combative you need to call the police for assistance

  • Don’t try to have a rational or logical discussion with the person (it will be an exercise in frustration)


    • Want to know how much is too much for you? Click on the following link to get your personalized blood alcohol level (BAL) chart. To read the chart, find the cross section between the number of drinks you’ve had (left-side column) and the number of hours you’ve been drinking (along the top), and that is your BAL at that time. A low-risk BAL is considered .055 or less. Remember, one drink is equal to 10 ounces of beer, 4 ounces of wine, and/or 1.25 ounces of 80-proof hard alcohol.

    >> Personalized Blood Alcohol Level Chart