Expert: Druideck - 11/5/2009

Question
Hello, and thank you for being so generous with your expertise!

My son says his high school friends claim that someone is not in danger of alcohol poisoning if they have thrown up and are still conscious because the alcohol is then out of their body -- is this generally true? Also, one of his friends threw up after binging and was conscious and rational afterwards, although he continued having "dry heaves" for hours -- he's fine now, but does a situation like this call for medical attention? My son is a responsible kid with a sane approach to alcohol, but frankly I'm worried about situations like "beach week," where he might find himself feeling responsible for friends.

Answer
Elizabeth,

the odd thing about the answers your son's friends
are giving him is that vomiting is one of the signs
of alcohol poisoning. Also irregular breathing,
paleness and mental confusion.

Often victims of alcohol poisoning choke
on their own vomit so I don't see that
as the solution to prevent poisoning.
Vomiting can also cause severe dehydration
which can cause brain damage as well.
Death is always a possibility in these cases.

Alcohol in fast high doses can depress the
involuntary nerve systems such as breathing and
the gag reflex.

Once the alcohol is in the bloodstream
only time can remove it.
Even throwing up does not remove it.
If the person passes out the alcohol
level in the blood stream continues
to rise as it is in the intestines.

If the person throws up the remaining
alcohol in their stomach and they feel
okay it means the alcohol never reached
their bloodstream and nervous system anyway.
If they are drunk then it is too late
for throwing up to do much good as the
alcohol has already been absorbed.

Fast binge drinking can cause alcohol
poisoning before the person even passes
out. Then it is too late and brain
damage can result.

Of course your son cannot be responsible for
all his friends behaviours.
If he sees someone acting very confused
or their breathing seems irregular
and they look pale or clammy,
or refuse to wake up then
he should call 911 and let
professionals check the person out.

Alcohol is a chemical and like most
chemicals if ingested quickly in
large amounts it poisons the body.
That is common sense.
Unfortunately many kids are playing
russian roulette with their lives.
Many people have died from alcohol
poisoning, it is not just a theory.

I see no problem in drinking sensibly
to a point where it lessens
inhibitions and creates some
euphoria. It is the uncontrolled
binging that leads to problems
and deaths.

So to sum up I do not believe a
severely drunk person can avoid alcohol
poisoning by throwing up.
It is too late at that point
as the alcohol is past the stomach.

And yes if you are having severe
reactions due to drinking
then seek medical attention.

I hope this helps you form a reasonable
attitude toward drinking and it's dangers.

Take care!