self improvement

Knowing How to Respond to Alcohol Overdose Symptoms Can Save a Person’s Life

Nearly three months ago Robert applied for a position as a bouncer at one of the big nightclubs located in the city. He took daily vitamins, nutrients, and minerals; he was a body builder; he studied ninjitsu, gatka, judo, karate, and aikido for eight-and-a-half years; he was into health foods and healthy eating; and he seemed like a natural for such a position. In fact, Robert was so diligent about his bodybuilding and his overall health that he stopped drinking abusively approximately four-and-a-half years ago and then he made up his mind around six-and-a-half months ago to totally quit drinking.

One day at noon when Robert went out to his mailbox to get his mail, he was pleased to find an envelope that was from the nightclub he had applied to. When he opened the envelope, he was quite satisfied to learn that he was chosen for the bouncer job. Due to the fact that this was a high-class bar, nonetheless, he soon discovered that it was mandatory for him to go to a fifteen-day training class that commenced the following Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 PM.

On the first day of instruction, after the teacher introduced himself and asked everyone else to say a few things about themselves, the instructor without delay began talking about “problem drinkers” who drink in an immature and unhealthy manner and specifically what the barmaids, bouncers, and bartenders can do when “difficult circumstances” such as these arise. When the instructor started discussing highly charged situations, the first topic he reviewed was alcohol poisoning. When Robert heard this he was reassured because this was a topic he felt he knew very little about.

As the trainer emphasized to all of the new employees, nausea and vomiting were almost without exception the first symptoms displayed by a person who is experiencing an alcohol overdose. The instructor also highlighted the fact that passing out was perhaps the one alcohol overdose symptom or sign that clearly identified this medical crisis. The teacher also emphasized the fact that alcohol poisoning signs and symptoms were signals from the brain and from the body that the person has consumed more alcohol than his or her body can metabolize.

There were additional alcohol overdose signs and symptoms that all the new employees were taught to be aware of. As an illustration, the new barmaids, bartenders, and bouncers learned that people with alcohol poisoning frequently experience seizures; they are difficult to awaken; they frequently pass out; and they display confusion, poor reflexes, and erratic behavior.

The new barmaids, bouncers, and bartenders also found out that the majority of individuals who suffer from alcohol poisoning also manifest slow, shallow, or irregular breathing; they exhibit little response from painful stimuli, for instance from pinching; they display an inability to make eye contact or sustain a conversation; they manifest slurred speech; they often feel very ill and exhibit excessive vomiting; and they display blue tinged or pale skin.

The instructor then pointed out the fact that alcohol addicted people are not the only ones who suffer through alcohol poisoning. Stated more precisely, the teacher stressed the fact that alcohol abusers and binge drinkers, along with people who are dependent on alcohol, can also suffer from an alcohol overdose. The trainer then defined binge drinking as follows: ingesting five or more alcoholic beverages during one occasion for males and drinking four or more alcoholic beverages during one occasion for females.

To underline the effect that binge drinking has on alcohol poisoning, the trainer told the new workers in the class that a person who gets intoxicated just a few times per year is still engaging in alcohol abuse. While it is quite unlikely that this individual is an alcoholic, it is very likely, on the contrary, that this person involved himself or herself in binge drinking. As stated by the teacher, engaging in binge drinking even once, sadly, can lead to alcohol poisoning that in exceptional circumstances can be deadly.

The lecturer then informed the new bartenders, bouncers, and barmaids that the best and most correct response for an alcohol overdose is the following: if it is believed that a drinker has alcohol poisoning, dial 911 and ask for immediate medical assistance. By taking this plan of action, the person will get the quality alcohol poisoning treatment he or she requires.

After getting extensive training about alcohol overdose symptoms and signs in particular, about alcohol poisoning in general, and learning about the “proper” response for this medical crisis, Robert felt that he had learned some invaluable information that one of these days might save a persons life. After his comprehensive training, moreover, Robert was grateful for everything he had learned and he truly felt a sense of camaraderie with the other bartenders, bouncers, and barmaids with whom he would be working.

Denny Mitchell writes informational articles about alcoholism stages, info on alcoholism, binge drinking statistics, and alcohol info. For more info, visit alcohol drinking problems.