Alcohol intoxication happens when the quantity of alcohol consumed exceeds a person’s tolerance. This leads to behavioral and physical abnormalities that can affect a person’s ability to function normally.

Alcohol damages various parts of the brain in a progressive order as the person becomes drunk. This could lead to loss of memory, confusion, disorientation, excessive sleepiness, coma, and ultimately shutdown of respiration or death.

The effect of alcohol varies from person to person. Heavy drinkers are able to consume high amounts of alcohol that a casual drinker can’t tolerate. People who take certain drugs like sedatives can easily be intoxicated and other medical conditions can also affect an individual’s reaction towards alcohol.

The signs and symptoms of alcohol intoxication are behavioral changes such as aggressiveness, inappropriate sexual behavior, mood swings, feeling sleepier than usual, trouble with understanding and remembering things, trouble with coordination of movements, Nystagmus or abnormal fast eye movement, slurred speech, and inability to maintain balance while walking or standing still.

To diagnose alcohol intoxication, health care givers will check the blood, urine, breath, or saliva to determine the amount of alcohol in the body. They will also check the health history and ask questions to test memory and judgment. Breath and walking tests are also used.

To treat alcohol intoxication, managing the symptoms are very important. This is why an IV tube is placed in the vein to serve as a quick method of administering medications for headache, body pain, seizures, or vomiting. Respiration may become difficult; that is why providing respiratory support is very important. Glucose is also given to increase blood sugar and Vitamin B1 to prevent conditions that may affect the brain.

After initial management of alcohol intoxication, it is also important to provide support and care for victims. This includes health education and counseling. It is important to understand the effects of alcohol intoxication to drive an individual to stop abusing their bodies.