alcohol poisoning; From fake drink to death risk

**Alcohol poisoning: from initial symptoms to emergency treatments** Alcohol consumption and alcohol poisoning kill 2.5 million people worldwide every year. Factors such as **genetics**, **environmental conditions**, **psychological problems** and **social pressures** contribute to the development of alcohol dependence. People who have a genetic background for addiction and are placed in environments that encourage drinking are more at risk of becoming dependent on alcohol. In Iran, the number of people who consume alcohol is less than in Western countries; But their consumption every time is much higher than the consumers in these countries. For this reason, risky behaviors such as dangerous driving under the influence of alcohol consumption are observed more in Iran. In this article, we are trying to examine the disorder of alcohol poisoning and learn more about its symptoms.

**What is alcohol intoxication disorder?** Alcohol poisoning is one of the serious risks for human health. Occurs due to excessive consumption of alcohol in a short period of time. Alcohol, commonly known as ethanol, is a nervous system depressant produced by the fermentation of sugars in fruits and grains and found in many alcoholic beverages. When a person consumes a large amount of alcohol in a short period of time, they may experience immediate side effects. It can be different depending on the amount of consumption and the physical condition of the person. These side effects include feeling of false happiness, speech disorder, imbalance, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, vision disorder, reduced reaction time, confusion, memory loss, and decreased alertness. In these cases, a person is exposed to the risk of accidents, falls, fights, burns or drowning. Chronic consumption and dependence on alcohol can also cause serious damage to the body and lead to problems such as cardiovascular diseases, liver damage, digestive disorders, damage to nerve cells, sexual problems, anemia, permanent cognitive disorders, malnutrition and even cancer. **Symptoms of alcohol poisoning and its consequences** Consuming adulterated alcoholic beverages, especially those containing methanol, can have dangerous health consequences. This type of alcohol poisoning appears in several stages: ### **First stage (half to four hours after consumption)** People may experience nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, headache, confusion and drowsiness. Unfortunately, many people do not take the risk seriously at this stage and do not go to the doctor. ### **Ocular symptoms such as blurred vision, blurred vision, double vision, sensitivity to light, and in severe cases, complete blindness. ### **The third stage (after 24 hours)** The patient's condition worsens and the possibility of convulsions, coma and even death increases. Considering the serious risks caused by consuming contaminated alcohol, if you see any of these symptoms, it is necessary to go to the medical center immediately. **Beginning and clinical path** Alcohol poisoning (intoxication) is usually such that each episode begins within a few minutes to a few hours. It usually lasts for several hours. In the United States, the average age at first alcohol poisoning is approximately 15 years old. The highest prevalence is at approximately 18 to 25 years of age. The frequency and severity of alcohol poisoning usually decreases with age. The younger people are when they start regular intoxication (regular drinking), the more likely they are to develop an alcohol use disorder later. (American Psychological Association, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-5-TR, Dr. Mehdi Ganji, Tehran, Savalan) **The cause of alcohol poisoning** Alcohol poisoning mainly occurs when a person takes a large amount of alcohol into the body and its level in the blood rises to such an extent that the normal functioning of the body is affected. When alcohol enters the digestive system, it is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and transported to the liver. As one of the main organs of the body, the liver is responsible for the decomposition and elimination of toxins. It usually tries to convert the alcohol into an excretory substance. This process happens naturally in the body, but the liver is only able to process a certain amount of alcohol at a certain time. If a person consumes alcohol continuously or in large quantities, the liver is faced with a large volume of this toxic substance and cannot break it down quickly and sufficiently. As a result, the level of alcohol in the blood increases and this can lead to alcohol poisoning. Since alcohol is a toxic substance that affects the central nervous system, excessive consumption and dependence on alcohol can cause disorders in the functioning of the brain, nerves, heart and other organs. Finally, with the liver's inability to process alcohol quickly, serious complications such as loss of consciousness, brain damage, breathing problems, and even death can occur. In some cases, people resort to alcohol because they cannot tolerate **anxiety**, **psychological tensions** or **stressful conditions. While there are healthier and more effective ways to manage stress. To learn about these solutions, read the article on reducing stress and its specialized treatment. **prevalence of alcohol poisoning disorder** According to the DSM-5 report, most people who consume alcohol have experienced some form of alcohol poisoning at some point in their lives. **How to diagnose alcohol poisoning** To identify alcohol poisoning, several factors must be considered: ### 1. **Patient History** It is necessary to obtain information on the consumption of substances containing alcohol that are not standard and prepared at home (such as homemade spirits, which are common in Iran). ### 2. **Clinical symptoms** Eye problems, occurrence of metabolic acidosis and decreased level of consciousness are among the symptoms of alcohol poisoning. 3. **Clinical trials** - Blood gases (ABG) to diagnose metabolic acidosis - Measuring the level of methanol and ethanol in blood, which may not always be available in Iran, and in such circumstances, other tests are used. - Evaluation of serum osmolality and anion gap analysis, which if increased, among other symptoms, can be very useful in identifying poisoning. **Treatment of alcohol poisoning** Treatment of alcohol poisoning is mainly based on supportive and palliative care and usually includes measures such as: - Close monitoring of the patient's condition - Prevention of respiratory problems or the risk of suffocation - Use of oxygen therapy - Fluid injection to prevent dehydration - Administration of vitamins and glucose to reduce the risk of severe complications from alcohol poisoning People who have accidentally ingested methanol or isopropyl alcohol, both adults and children, may require hemodialysis. Hemodialysis is a method that is used to purify the blood from toxic and excess substances and helps to speed up the process of cleaning alcohol from the body. If you or someone close to you is dealing with problems such as alcohol poisoning or alcoholism, it is important to get professional help. With a team of experienced specialists in the field of addiction treatment and psychotherapy services, Pirouzi Clinic is ready to provide counseling, assessment and comprehensive treatment for people who are looking to return to a healthy life. To get an appointment or initial consultation, contact us.**

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