Every now and then you hear stories on the news about young college students dying from accidental alcohol intoxication. Some from partying and other from hazing situations. Does anyone have a theory on what makes this successful? I'm my opinion your stomach can get pumped and you might end with permanent liver/ kidney damage. Or you'll just throw end up throwing up with a hangover. What makes certain situation fatal?
alexithymia
Student
- Sep 18, 2019
- 176
While I don't have a good answer for you, I'm curious as well. When does intoxication turn into alcohol poisoning? I think it depends heavily on body composition and type of alcohol ingested.
Also interesting to think that sudden withdrawal from drinking can result in one's death. Amy Winehouse went after quitting alcohol cold turkey.
Also interesting to think that sudden withdrawal from drinking can result in one's death. Amy Winehouse went after quitting alcohol cold turkey.
I don't know much about Amy Whine house. I do know that first she was into drugs then switched to alcohol. Was it withdraws that killed her?
alexithymia
Student
- Sep 18, 2019
- 176
Apologies. I just double-checked and apparently she actually died of alcohol poisoning due to binge drinking after a period of abstinence. Not sure where I got it in my head that it was due to withdrawal. My mistake.
Qbert
Arcanist
- Jan 6, 2019
- 456
This is rough
en.m.wikipedia.org
Penn State fraternity hazing scandal - Wikipedia
nothingleft
Member
- Sep 1, 2019
- 91
Well a lot of times other drugs are involved in addition to the alcohol. If someone has no tolerance to benzos and even takes one after a night of drinking they could easily stop breathing. I almost died this way when I was partying with friends. 1mg of Ativan and about six shots of vodka. I was in and out of consciousness and managed to throw up most of the alcohol, but people with me at the time said I stopped breathing a few times. I was in college at the time, and it was an accident. So it can happen easily this way.
Mushrooms + alcohol was the complete opposite though. I binge-drank from 5pm - 2 and felt fine the next day, definitely the most alcohol I've ever consumed.
Mushrooms + alcohol was the complete opposite though. I binge-drank from 5pm - 2 and felt fine the next day, definitely the most alcohol I've ever consumed.
7 Crazy Binge Drinking Deaths Caused By Alcohol - Project Know
You may have thought binge drinking in college was all fun and games, but it’s important to be aware of what can happen when it takes a turn for the worst. When you’re new to university life and get suckered in by peer pressure, you might not realize the dangers of binge drinking. But it’s […]
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gingerplum
Enlightened
- Nov 5, 2018
- 1,450
What makes binge drinking lethal is often when alcohol is combined with other drugs... as @nothingleft pointed out, benzos and alcohol are particularly deadly, as they potentiate the effects of each other and can lead to respiratory arrest; the same is true for opiates.
Then too, we've all heard stories about famous folks like John Bonham, who drank 40 shots of vodka and died after he aspirated his own vomit while he was unconscious and choked to death.
In that awful, tragic story about the fraternity hazing, the article stated that antidepressants contributed to his intoxication. I'm not sure about this, unless he was taking a drug like Trazodone that causes drowsiness. Otherwise, I doubt SSRIs or SNRIs would really have any significant effect on intoxication. He didn't die from acute alcohol intoxication per se; he died from the traumatic brain injuries he sustained from falling. However, his BAC was 0.4, which can also be lethal.
As far as withdrawl goes, yeah, you can die from DT's, but you hafta be a really dedicated drinker for some time... really heavy drinking for a really protracted time. Withdrawl from that can cause hallucinations ( hello, pink elephants!) and potentially lethal seizures.
Delirium tremens: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
Delirium tremens is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal. It involves sudden and severe mental or nervous system changes.
Long story short, there's a lot of variables for actual blood alcohol poisoning, but death becomes a lot more certain once your BAC is >0.4. There are calculators online to determine BAC using your weight and # of drinks.
Blood Alcohol Concentration | Aware Awake Alive
We are a non-profit with a serious mission to prevent the senseless loss of young adult lives from alcohol poisoning.
awareawakealive.org
Fentanyl can be reversed with Narcan (naloxone), but there's no way to reverse acute alcohol intoxication. All they can do is pump you full of IV fluids and, in extreme cases, emergently dialyze the individual to filter the alcohol out of their blood.I just find it so interesting. I've heard of people being revived after taking F, so hearing that some accidentally catch the bus from alcohol is new to me7 Crazy Binge Drinking Deaths Caused By Alcohol - Project Know
You may have thought binge drinking in college was all fun and games, but it’s important to be aware of what can happen when it takes a turn for the worst. When you’re new to university life and get suckered in by peer pressure, you might not realize the dangers of binge drinking. But it’s […]www.projectknow.com
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Everyone I know (like 5 people) that have died from alcohol related deaths were from aspirating on their own vomit, and one from a prolonged seizure caused by the alcohol.
TowerUpright
Disillusioned
- May 26, 2019
- 602
What makes binge drinking lethal is often when alcohol is combined with other drugs... as @nothingleft pointed out, benzos and alcohol are particularly deadly, as they potentiate the effects of each other and can lead to respiratory arrest; the same is true for opiates.
Then too, we've all heard stories about famous folks like John Bonham, who drank 40 shots of vodka and died after he aspirated his own vomit while he was unconscious and choked to death.
In that awful, tragic story about the fraternity hazing, the article stated that antidepressants contributed to his intoxication. I'm not sure about this, unless he was taking a drug like Trazodone that causes drowsiness. Otherwise, I doubt SSRIs or SNRIs would really have any significant effect on intoxication. He didn't die from acute alcohol intoxication per se; he died from the traumatic brain injuries he sustained from falling. However, his BAC was 0.4, which can also be lethal.
As far as withdrawl goes, yeah, you can die from DT's, but you hafta be a really dedicated drinker for some time... really heavy drinking for a really protracted time. Withdrawl from that will cause hallucinations ( hello, pink elephants!) and potentially lethal seizures.
Delirium tremens: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
Delirium tremens is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal. It involves sudden and severe mental or nervous system changes.medlineplus.gov
Long story short, there's a lot of variables for actual blood alcohol poisoning, but death becomes a lot more certain once your BAC is >0.4. There are calculators online to determine BAC using your weight and # of drinks.
Blood Alcohol Concentration | Aware Awake Alive
We are a non-profit with a serious mission to prevent the senseless loss of young adult lives from alcohol poisoning.awareawakealive.org
Fentanyl can be reversed with Narcan (naloxone), but there's no way to reverse acute alcohol intoxication. All they can do is pump you full of IV fluids and, in extreme cases, emergently dialyze the individual to filter the alcohol out of their blood.
What's up with Trazadone? I thought that was a "Safe" sleeping agent.
Ive read somewhere that Gastric Lavage (Stomach pumping) has fallen out of favor by doctors, due to negligible benefits and more likely to cause damage.
Anyone else hear that? Or am I just crazy(er)?
gingerplum
Enlightened
- Nov 5, 2018
- 1,450
Well sure, it's a pretty benign drug until you get blackout drunk on it, then it's going to intensify all the effects of the alcohol.
I feel like this day in age the Dr.s will do anything to save a life even if it cost the patient pain for the rest of their lives.
TowerUpright
Disillusioned
- May 26, 2019
- 602
Possibly, but not at the cost of a lawsuit. Consider the docs position. Someone came in who has attempted suicide. They know the family will be distraught (just cause a family member isn't there, doesn't mean they aren't in their way). The docs will do everything they can to save the patient, but not at the cost of a lawsuit and negative social media publicity.
gingerplum
Enlightened
- Nov 5, 2018
- 1,450
I don't think they'd use gastric lavage & suctioning for alcohol toxicity; alcohol absorbs too fast, there wouldn't be any real point. Also, introducing water to the stomach to try to wash it out would increase risk for vomiting and potential aspiration.
Qbert
Arcanist
- Jan 6, 2019
- 456
Looks like he aspirated and maybe had an enlarged heart. I defer to the wise @gingerplum in interpreting this.
gingerplum
Enlightened
- Nov 5, 2018
- 1,450
Qbert, that kind of flattery will get you everywhere
.The autopsy report found fluid in Davis' lungs, an abnormal enlargement of his liver and spleen, and slightly dilated chambers of the heart.
This actually kinda floored me, because it indicates the kid was an alcoholic at age 16. The enlargement of the liver & spleen, plus the cardiomyopathy all point to chronic, heavy alcohol use... these are cumulative symptoms, not from a weekend binge or two.
It's interesting that he died with a BAC of 0.297, because that's not typically in the lethal range, much less for someone who had a tolerance, as he likely did.
To me, the fluid in his lungs indicates it was vomiting and aspiration that killed him rather than level of alcohol, but that's chicken-and-the-egg type stuff.
Wow, I would of never factor all of that. It's so interesting that you can gather all of that based off the article. So in conclusion people never die from binge drinking/ fatal doses alone.There has to be a underlying factor like benzos, chronic drinking, & other health factors.Qbert, that kind of flattery will get you everywhere
The autopsy report found fluid in Davis' lungs, an abnormal enlargement of his liver and spleen, and slightly dilated chambers of the heart.
This actually kinda floored me, because it indicates the kid was an alcoholic at age 16. The enlargement of the liver & spleen, plus the cardiomyopathy all point to chronic, heavy alcohol use... these are cumulative symptoms, not from a weekend binge or two.
It's interesting that he died with a BAC of 0.297, because that's not typically in the lethal range, much less for someone who had a tolerance, as he likely did.
To me, the fluid in his lungs indicates it was vomiting and aspiration that killed him rather than level of alcohol, but that's chicken-and-the-egg type stuff.
gingerplum
Enlightened
- Nov 5, 2018
- 1,450
Oh no, sorry, I didn't mean to suggest that. Enough alcohol alone will cause you to go into respiratory arrest and die, even a first-time drinker, even without aspiration or adding meds; usually around a BAC of 0.4... 0.40% is the accepted lethal dose for about 50% of adults. In rare cases, however, it's not unheard of for chronic alcoholics to survive more than double that number.
Of course, I'm just speculating on that article, but yeah, all signs point to chronic alcohol abuse. Spend enough time in a medical-surgical ward and you'll pick up a thing or two
.
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Trainwreck
Student
- Sep 11, 2019
- 196
I think you're right, I feel like a read a study about stomach pumping not working very well, and that the current protocol is to have the patient consume some sort of charcoal solution.
gingerplum
Enlightened
- Nov 5, 2018
- 1,450
Very sad, I don't think anyone expected that. I've seen countless of videos where people chug bottles of alcohol and make it. This was also in the Dominican Republic. They've been known for their tainted alcohol.
gingerplum
Enlightened
- Nov 5, 2018
- 1,450
Body mass and tolerance are definitely huge factors. I'm sure that guy and his friends were just ignorant and completely reckless, but it's just such a senseless waste.
woxihuanni
Illuminated
- Aug 19, 2019
- 3,299
I have no idea how people hold down enough alcohol to die. The vomiting is brutal. Getting drunk is brutal, it's living hell.
gingerplum
Enlightened
- Nov 5, 2018
- 1,450
woxihuanni
Illuminated
- Aug 19, 2019
- 3,299
I drink about every day, but I suppose wine-sipping does not do the trick. :P
gingerplum
Enlightened
- Nov 5, 2018
- 1,450
Not unless you're sipping down 2-3 bottles, my friend
woxihuanni
Illuminated
- Aug 19, 2019
- 3,299
Not unless you're sipping down 2-3 bottles, my friend
The sheer thought gives me a black-out.
gingerplum
Enlightened
- Nov 5, 2018
- 1,450
Tag! You're now the designated driver.The sheer thought gives me a black-out.
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