When a friend passes out from alcohol consumption, it is a medical emergency requiring immediate attention. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, and severe intoxication suppresses functions controlling breathing, heart rate, and the gag reflex. This loss of consciousness is not “sleeping it off,” as blood alcohol concentration continues to rise even after drinking stops, potentially causing permanent brain damage or death. Rapid action is necessary to ensure safety and secure professional medical help.
Assessing the Level of Consciousness
The first step is determining if the person is merely asleep or truly unresponsive, which signals a greater risk of alcohol poisoning. Start by calling their name loudly and gently shaking their shoulder to see if they react. If they remain unresponsive to verbal and physical stimuli, escalate the sensory input.
To gauge deeper unresponsiveness, apply a mild pain stimulus, such as a firm pinch on the skin or a knuckle rub on the sternum. If the person does not move, open their eyes, or make any sound, they are in a state of stupor or coma, indicating acute alcohol intoxication. Quickly check their breathing, observing if their chest is rising and falling regularly. Pale, bluish, or clammy skin suggests a lack of oxygen or dangerously low body temperature.
Immediate Safety Actions and Monitoring
If the person is unresponsive, immediately protect their airway from obstruction by preventing them from choking on vomit. Never leave an unconscious person alone, as their condition can worsen rapidly. Avoid common mistakes like forcing them to walk, giving them coffee, or putting them in a cold shower, as these actions increase the risk of injury or shock.
The most effective way to secure the airway is to place the person in the recovery position. Kneel beside them and extend the arm closest to you straight out, palm up. Bring their other arm across their chest and hold the back of that hand against the cheek closest to you. Bend the person’s far leg at the knee so the foot is flat on the ground.
While holding the hand against the cheek, use the bent knee to gently roll the person toward you and onto their side. The bent leg acts as a stabilizing support, and the arm under the head keeps the head tilted back slightly to ensure the airway remains open. This side position allows vomit or fluid to drain out of the mouth, bypassing the risk of aspiration into the lungs. Continuous monitoring is essential, including watching their breathing rate, pulse, and responsiveness until professional help arrives.
Recognizing and Responding to Alcohol Poisoning
Certain physical signs indicate the situation has progressed to life-threatening alcohol poisoning, demanding an immediate call to emergency services. Warning signs include seizures, severe confusion, or an inability to be roused. A breathing rate of fewer than eight breaths per minute or pauses lasting more than 10 seconds signals respiratory depression.
Other severe symptoms include vomiting while unconscious (a major aspiration risk) and skin changes such as pale or bluish coloration, particularly around the lips and fingernails, indicating poor oxygenation. The skin may also feel cold, damp, or clammy, suggesting dangerously low body temperature (hypothermia). If you observe even one of these signs, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.
When speaking to the dispatcher, provide your exact location, the person’s current condition, and the type and amount of alcohol consumed, if known. While waiting for the medical team, keep the person in the recovery position and continue monitoring their breathing and heart rate. Do not attempt to give them anything to eat or drink. Providing accurate information and maintaining safety while help is en route ensures the best possible outcome.