Alcohol Poisoning

Alcohol poisoning happens when there’s so much alcohol in your bloodstream that it starts shutting down life-supporting areas of your brain. These areas control your breathing, heart rate and temperature. Alcohol poisoning is life-threatening.

Alcohol poisoning typically happens when you consume a large amount of alcohol in a short amount of time. It often happens from drinking excess alcohol-containing beverages, like beer, wine and/or liquor. But it can also occur due to non-beverage alcohol (ethanol), which is in things like mouthwash, cologne and cough medicine.

If you think someone has alcohol poisoning, get them medical help as soon as possible.

Other names for alcohol poisoning include alcohol overdose and ethanol toxicity.