Alcohol can negatively affect almost every organ and system in your body. Drinking too much or for a long period of time can have deleterious consequences for your physical, mental, and emotional health. And alcohol’s effects don’t just stop if you quit drinking. Alcohol withdrawal can be uncomfortable, risky, and even life-threatening without the proper support and care. That’s why it’s important to know what alcohol intoxication symptoms are, what alcohol does to your health, and what can happen when you stop or reduce your drinking.

Moderate Drinking vs. Intoxication

The CDC defines moderate drinking as one drink or less per day for women and two drinks or less per day for men. Alcohol intoxication happens when you consume alcohol more quickly than your liver can metabolize it. Although the rate at which alcohol is metabolized by the body varies from person to person, in general, the liver can process one ounce of alcohol, or one standard drink, per hour. Factors that affect your alcohol metabolism rate include your weight, your overall health, whether you’re male or female, genetics, and your tolerance for alcohol. The unprocessed alcohol remains in your bloodstream where it affects your brain and other organs. The amount of alcohol in your bloodstream is called blood alcohol content or BAC. A blood alcohol level of .08 is considered legally drunk in most states. But alcohol begins to affect you long before your BAC reaches that level.

Alcohol Intoxication Symptoms

The signs of alcohol intoxication can be mild, moderate, severe, and even life-threatening depending on how much you drink and how quickly. The stages of alcohol intoxication are determined by your BAC.

Early signs of alcohol intoxication in adults begin when they are mildly intoxicated with a BAC of up to .05% and include:

• Increased body temperature
• Slightly decreased motor function
• Slightly decreased cognitive function
• Feeling relaxed
• Enhanced mood

With a BAC between .06% and .15%, you’re moderately intoxicated with the following symptoms:

• Decreased inhibition and judgment
• Impaired speech and coordination
• Slowed reaction time
• Enhanced mood
• Decreased motor function
• Increased feelings of relaxation and mood elevation

Severe intoxication is considered a BAC between .16% and .3% with symptoms including:

• Blackouts
• Significantly impaired judgment, reaction time, speech, and motor function
• Short-term memory loss
• Slowed cognitive function
• Vomiting
• Loss of consciousness

A BAC above .3% is considered life-threatening. At this level, you likely have alcohol poisoning, indicated by symptoms such as unconsciousness and respiratory distress.

Dangers of Alcohol Intoxication

Drinking to excess can be damaging to your health in many ways. Alcohol has negative effects on your entire body, not just your liver. Drinking too much can create the following health risks:

• Changes in mood, behavior, and cognitive function
• The development of peripheral neuropathy, causing painful numbness and burning sensations in the limbs
• Increased risk of thyroid disease and diabetes
• Increased risk of several types of cancer, including colon cancer and breast cancer
• Increased risk of stroke and heart disease
• Diminished immune system
• Increased risk of liver disease including cirrhosis and cancer
• Increased susceptibility to pneumonia and tuberculosis
• Increased risk of pancreatitis

Because alcohol affects your balance, coordination, and reaction time, drinking too much also puts you at risk for injuries from falls, burns, and drowning. And the effect of alcohol on your ability to drive is well-known. According to the National Transportation Highway Safety Board, around 30% of all fatal crashes in the United States involve drivers with a BAC of .08% or higher.

Alcohol is also damaging to your mental health. Although people sometimes use alcohol to mask the symptoms of mental health issues, drinking to excess can actually make mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety worse.

Alcohol Intoxication vs. Poisoning

Alcohol intoxication turns into alcohol poisoning when your blood alcohol content rises above .3%. Alcohol poisoning is a very serious and potentially fatal condition that results from drinking large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time. When the level of alcohol in your blood is extremely high, it affects the areas of your brain that control your heart rate, body temperature, and breathing. It’s important to know the signs and symptoms of alcohol poisoning so you can get help right away if you think someone you know has this condition. It’s also essential to remember that a person doesn’t need to have all these symptoms before you seek medical help. Signs of alcohol poisoning include:

• Vomiting
• Confusion
• Seizures
• Incontinence
• A delayed or absent gag reflex
• Breathing that is much slower than normal, fewer than eight breaths per minute
• Breathing that’s irregular with a pause of more than ten seconds between breaths
• Cold, clammy, blue, gray, or unusually pale skin
• Decreased body temperature
• Inability to stay awake
• If unconscious, the inability to be roused

The last two symptoms are especially dangerous and are sure signs to call 911 or get help immediately. Because of the way that alcohol poisoning affects the gag reflex, a person suffering from alcohol poisoning, whether conscious or unconscious, is at risk of vomiting and choking. Never leave an unconscious person by themselves. Try to keep them sitting up and awake. Never try to induce vomiting as that can be a choking hazard.

Drinking so much you end up with alcohol poisoning is a sign that you have alcohol use disorder and possibly a wake-up call that you need to do something about your drinking. But if you’ve been regularly drinking to excess, quitting cold turkey on your own can be dangerous.

Withdrawal from Alcohol

Around 29 million adults in the United States have alcohol use disorder (AUD), making it the most common substance use disorder. Research shows that about half of people with alcohol use disorder who suddenly stop or reduce their drinking will experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms. The more you drink, the more likely you are to suffer from alcohol detox symptoms when you quit. The severity of your symptoms will depend on several individual factors:

• How long you’ve been drinking
• How much you’ve been drinking
• What stage of addiction you’re experiencing

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms usually start between six and 24 hours of your last drink. Symptoms range from mild to severe. Mild alcohol withdrawal symptoms include:

• Headache
• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Feeling “jumpy”
• Fatigue
• Depression
• Insomnia
• Mood swings
• Nausea and vomiting

If you’ve been drinking heavily and/or for a long period of time, you may experience a dangerous form of alcohol withdrawal called delirium tremens. Delirium tremens, also known as the DTs, usually develops between one and four days after withdrawal begins and can be life-threatening if not properly treated. Symptoms include:

• Hallucinations
• Confusion
• Disorientation
• Seizures

For between five and 25% of people, going through delirium tremens is fatal.

If you’re a long-time drinker, have been through detox before, have a history of seizures or DTs, or have strong cravings for alcohol, you’re at an increased risk for developing delirium tremens when you quit drinking. For this reason, it’s always a good idea to seek professional help when stopping or reducing the amount of alcohol you drink.

Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline

Detox is different for everyone because it depends on your unique circumstances, but in general, this is the timeline for alcohol withdrawal:

• Six to 12 hours: headache, mild anxiety, upset stomach, insomnia
• 12 to 24 hours: hallucinations that typically resolve within 48 hours
• 24 to 48 hours: seizures
• 48 to 72 hours: delirium tremens

Trying to Quit Drinking on Your Own Can Be Risky

It can be tempting to think that you can handle quitting drinking on your own. But withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable at best and fatal at worst. Many people don’t have adequate alcohol withdrawal support at home. Detoxing through an alcohol withdrawal management program where you’re monitored and cared for by nurses, doctors, and addiction specialists is not only safer and more comfortable, but it also gives you a better chance of long-term recovery.

When to Seek Help for Alcohol Withdrawal

Because it can be hard to judge your own stage of addiction, it’s always a good idea to get a clinical assessment from an addiction professional before beginning detox. Most reputable treatment facilities will provide a free assessment that will help you choose from among the alcohol withdrawal treatment options available to you. For many people struggling with AUD, inpatient detox offers the support and medical care necessary to stop drinking safely and transition to the next phase of treatment.

What Happens After Detox?

Detox isn’t only about clearing the body of alcohol. During your stay, your care team will work with you to find the treatment program that best suits your unique needs and goals. You may decide that inpatient residential treatment provides the level of support that you need. Or you may determine that  an outpatient treatment program such as partial hospitalization program or intensive outpatient program would be a better fit. No matter what type of program you choose, you’ll work with clinicians and counselors who will make sure your transition to treatment goes smoothly.

At Lakeside-Milam, we offer the entire continuum of addiction care, from detox to early recovery support. Our compassionate and experienced specialists are here to help you reclaim your life and create the recovery that you deserve. Call us anytime, 24/7.