Vomiting is a common reaction to excessive alcohol consumption. It signals the body’s attempt to expel toxins. Understanding the appropriate steps to take during and after such an event can help ensure safety and recovery. This guide covers immediate actions, post-vomiting care, and critical signs of a medical emergency.
Immediate Actions During Vomiting
When someone is actively vomiting due to alcohol consumption, proper positioning is important to prevent aspiration. If the person is conscious, encourage them to remain upright. If heavily intoxicated or unconscious, immediately place them in the recovery position by gently rolling them onto their side. This helps ensure vomit drains out of the mouth, keeping the airway clear and reducing the risk of choking.
Stay with the person and monitor their condition closely, as alcohol can suppress the gag reflex, increasing the risk of choking. Do not leave an intoxicated individual alone, especially if they are vomiting or unconscious. While waiting for emergency help, ensure their breathing remains unobstructed. Gently tilt their head to maintain an open airway and tuck their nearest hand under their cheek to keep their head tilted.
Post-Vomiting Recovery and Rehydration
After the active vomiting subsides, the focus shifts to recovery and preventing complications like dehydration. Alcohol acts as a diuretic, increasing fluid loss through urination, and vomiting further depletes the body’s fluids and electrolytes. Begin rehydration slowly, offering small sips of water after about 30 minutes from the last episode of vomiting.
Electrolyte-rich beverages such as sports drinks, clear broths, or oral rehydration solutions are beneficial for replenishing lost salts and minerals. Avoid caffeinated beverages and more alcohol, as these can worsen dehydration and stomach irritation. Once nausea diminishes, introduce bland, easily digestible foods like toast, crackers, bananas, or rice, which can help stabilize blood sugar and provide gentle nourishment. Rest is important for recovery, so encourage sleep and avoid strenuous activities.
Recognizing Signs of Alcohol Poisoning
Vomiting from alcohol can sometimes escalate into alcohol poisoning, a medical emergency. It occurs when a large amount of alcohol consumed in a short time overwhelms the body, impacting vital functions like breathing, heart rate, and body temperature. If you suspect alcohol poisoning, call emergency services immediately.
Key signs include unconsciousness or an inability to be roused. Breathing may become slow (fewer than eight breaths per minute) or irregular, with gaps of more than 10 seconds between breaths. The person’s skin might appear cool, clammy, pale, or bluish, particularly around the lips or fingernails, indicating poor circulation. Other signs are seizures, low body temperature (hypothermia), and persistent vomiting, especially if the person is unresponsive. Never assume someone will “sleep off” alcohol poisoning; their condition can worsen rapidly.
Why Alcohol Causes Vomiting
Alcohol induces vomiting primarily as a protective mechanism to expel excess toxins. When alcohol is consumed, the liver metabolizes it into acetaldehyde, a highly toxic chemical. The liver can only process a limited amount of acetaldehyde at a time. If consumption is too rapid, this toxic byproduct accumulates in the bloodstream, triggering the brain’s vomiting center and initiating a reflex to rid the body of the harmful substance.
Alcohol also directly irritates the stomach lining, leading to inflammation known as gastritis. This irritation can increase acid production, contributing to feelings of nausea and prompting the stomach to expel its contents. Vomiting is a complex physiological response involving both the digestive system’s reaction to irritation and the brain’s attempt to eliminate absorbed toxins.