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Alcohol Poisoning

If someone is severely intoxicated at your event, they may be experiencing alcohol poisoning, a life-threatening condition.

Below are some tips on how to identify and deal with alcohol poisoning.

The person is probably OK if:

1. You can maintain some interaction/communication for at least sixty seconds.
2. Person is conscious (and possibly throwing up): indicates involuntary functions are working
3. Person can respond verbally and shows movement.

Because the effects of the alcohol consumed may take some time to effect different body centers (as many drinkers often leave a party or bar taking one or two more drinks “for the road”), the person should be monitored even if they appear to be OK.

The person is NOT OK if:

1. Person is unconscious/semi-conscious and can not be woken up or respond.
2. Vomiting while sleeping or passed out and not waking up after.
3. Has cold, clammy, pale or bluish skin.
4. If breathing is slow, less than 8-9 breaths per minute or irregular with 10 seconds or more between breaths.
5. If person is not breathing.
6. If alcohol poisoning is suspected, it is strongly recommended that emergency medical attention be requested. Call 911 immediately.

Now that you know some of the characteristics of alcohol poisoning, you should remember some steps that could help you determine if an intoxicated guest is experiencing alcohol poisoning:

1. First try to determine whether the person is at all attentive. Try and call their name. Pinch their skin to see if there is a reaction.
2. Check for signs of trouble including weak pulse, clammy skin, or poor color.
3. Check the person’s breathing. Call for medical help immediately if you have any doubts or if the person’s breathing is less than eight times per minute or there is more than ten seconds in between breaths.

If you have determined that this person is experiencing alcohol poisoning, remember the following:

1. Do not let the person sleep on their back.
2. Turn them over on their side and place a pillow between their legs and extend one arm.
3. Do not leave the person alone. Only leave them to make an emergency call.
4. Do not try to walk the person.
5. Do not try to keep the person awake.
6. Do not give them a cold shower.

There is NO fast way to sober a person up. Only time – one hour per drink – will allow a person to sober up. Remember there are NO absolutes. Everyone is different. However, it is ALWAYS better to err towards safety. People’s lives could be affected by your actions.


Once you’ve determined whether an intoxicated guest needs assistance or not, the next step is to get them that assistance.

If all they need is a ride home, you can arrange a ride home with their sober driver, a local sober driving program or a local taxi service. To see if there is a campus sober driving program or local taxi service near you, please click here.

If you feel that a guest has reached a dangerous level of intoxication, do not hesitate. Immediately call 911 or your local hospital/EMS. Your local EMS or hospital contact information may belisted here.

When you call for help:

1. Identify yourself.
2. State your problem and what you feel you need.
3. Give your specific location and your phone number. (AND be there when help arrives, if at all possible.)