Alcohol Intoxication

The symptoms of acute alcohol intoxication can vary from person to person and depend on how much an individual has had to drink. When someone is intoxicated, it can be clear to see from their physical symptoms, such as:

• Facial flushing
• Slurred speech or raised voice
• Stumbling
• Bloodshot eyes
• Drowsiness
• Delayed reflexes

Alcohol consumption affects people differently based on size, gender, alcohol tolerance,² and other factors. For example, people who are small in stature may become intoxicated with fewer alcoholic beverages than people of larger stature. Below are some of the primary symptoms of this condition, from mild intoxication to alcohol poisoning. 

When someone is mildly intoxicated, they may show few or no symptoms of alcohol intoxication. Mild alcohol intoxication occurs when someone has had one or fewer drinks in an hour. Individuals who are mildly intoxicated may seem slightly more talkative and confident than usual. At this stage, a person’s blood alcohol content is likely to be between 0.01% to 0.05%. 

When someone is moderately intoxicated, they may show more signs of alcohol intoxication. Moderate intoxication occurs when a person is consuming two to five drinks per hour. These symptoms include delayed reactions, decreased inhibitions, and increased friendliness and confidence. 

People at this stage may experience vision problems, loss of balance, and dizziness. An individual who is moderately intoxicated might have a blood alcohol content of 0.05% to 0.25%. 

Severe alcohol intoxication symptoms occur when an individual is consuming more than five drinks per hour. Symptoms of this stage include confusion, emotional changes, and motor impairment, which may consist of staggering, stumbling, and slurring speech. A person’s blood alcohol content may fall between 0.18% to 0.30%. 

Alcohol poisoning, also referred to as alcohol toxicity, can occur when the alcohol concentration in an individual’s blood causes certain mental and physical changes. Someone who has consumed a significant amount of alcohol in a short amount of time is at risk for alcohol poisoning. Symptoms of alcohol poisoning in an individual include vomiting, slowed respiration, pale or clammy skin, confusion, loss of consciousness, and seizures. 

Someone with alcohol poisoning may have a blood alcohol content between 0.25% and 0.45%. Seek medical help immediately if you or someone you know is exhibiting symptoms of alcohol poisoning. Left untreated, alcohol poisoning can lead to death.

Some individuals enjoy the sensation of alcohol intoxication because drinking alcohol can cause the brain to release increased levels of dopamine, also known as a “feel-good” chemical. 

For some people, alcohol use is an occasional or social activity that does not cause problems in their day-to-day lives. Others develop alcohol use disorder,³ which involves symptoms like the following: 

• Struggling to control drinking habits
• Continuing to drink even when alcohol causes problems
• Drinking when it is not safe to do so, such as when one has to drive
• A sense of “needing” to drink increasingly more significant amounts of alcohol to feel the same effects one previously felt while drinking smaller amounts

The causes of alcohol use disorder can be genetic, environmental, and biological. Research suggests that there is a genetic component to alcoholism and that it can “run in families.” However, genetics are only responsible for about half of the likelihood of developing alcohol use disorder. The other factors that can contribute to alcoholism include social and biological factors, like spending time with others who drink frequently or experiencing a mental health condition. 

Risk factors for alcohol use disorder include:

• Family history
• History of trauma
• Drinking over a long period
• Starting drinking at an early age
• Having certain mental health conditions 

Although treatment is not necessarily required for alcohol intoxication, treatment can be helpful for those with alcohol use disorder. Treatment or other interventions may also be beneficial for individuals who suspect they have unhealthy habits around drinking alcohol.

Medication

Several approved medications in the United States may help individuals stop drinking. These medications can be prescribed by a psychiatrist or a primary care physician and can be taken alone or used in addition to therapy or counseling. Consult your primary care physician or psychiatrist before starting, changing, or stopping a medication. 

Other treatment options

Support groups may be a helpful resource for those struggling with alcohol use disorder or people worried they may develop an alcohol problem. The most popular support group for people with alcohol use disorder is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). 

People in AA meet regularly in a group setting, working with a group leader and following specific guidelines to help them stay sober. AA can offer practical steps for maintaining sobriety and allow people to connect with others who can relate to their challenges. Additionally, support groups can help individuals stay accountable for their sobriety.

Self-care

For anyone struggling with alcohol use disorder or a potential alcohol problem, prioritizing self-care can be an essential part of healing. Self-care includes cultivating habits like:

• Exercising regularly
• Getting at least seven to nine hours of sleep 
• Eating a nutritious diet
• Managing stress
• Spending time partaking in activities you love 
• Maintaining boundaries

Self-care can be an integral part of alcohol use disorder recovery because, when individuals care for their mental and physical health, it allows them to focus on healing and learning new, healthy ways to process emotions and deal with life’s ups and downs. 

For anyone who has a problematic relationship with alcohol, therapy can be a helpful tool. Research indicates that therapeutic interventions like cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational enhancement therapy can be effective forms of treatment for alcohol use disorder. 

If you face barriers to receiving in-person care, such as anxiety, financial struggles, or a lack of options in your area, you might also try online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp. Online therapy allows clients to connect with a provider from home via phone, video, or live chat sessions. In addition, you can match with a therapist experienced in supporting clients with substance use disorders.⁴  

Whether you have alcohol use disorder, know someone who has alcohol use disorder, or are worried about your drinking habits becoming a problem, resources are available to you. On top of therapy and medication, you can find helpful information from the following online resources:

• SAMHSA
• CDC
• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

You may also wish to consider joining a support group such as AA or Al-Anon. Studies indicate that 12-step groups (like AA) can be as effective at treating AUD as cognitive-behavioral therapy. Support groups can be sources of encouragement, accountability, and connection, which can all be components of healing from alcohol use disorder. Other support groups to consider include:

• Women for Sobriety
• LifeRing Secular Recovery
• Moderation Management
• SMART Recovery

For help with substance use, contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Both recreational alcohol use and alcohol addiction are common. Because of their commonality, ongoing research is essential in understanding the effects of alcohol, as well as discovering treatments for alcohol use disorder.

Studies show that even small amounts of alcohol can be unhealthy 

The research around the long-term effects of alcohol intoxication has not been a significant focus in research until recently. Most research on long-term alcohol consumption focused on the impact of alcoholism over time. The results of these studies showed that prolonged alcohol use can have devastating effects on the mind and body, with the potential to cause damage to the heart, brain, nervous system, pancreas, and liver; it can also increase your risk for several cancers. 

Breakthrough research in the past few years has revealed that even drinking a small amount of alcohol can have negative health consequences. Ten drinks or fewer used to be considered a “low-risk” amount of alcohol to consume per week, but new studies indicate that the number should be much lower—around two drinks per week. 

Promising treatment options for alcohol use disorder

The mainstays for alcohol use disorder treatment are medications, therapy, and support groups. New research into medications to treat alcohol use disorder is particularly promising. Currently, there are only three FDA-approved medications to treat AUD. Consult your doctor to learn more about medication options. 

219.2 million people in the US have consumed alcohol

Over 219.2 million Americans aged 12 and over (78.3%) have consumed alcohol at least once. In addition 23.5% of adults reported binge drinking in the last month.¹

¹National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Below are more key statistics on alcohol use and alcohol use disorder:

• Nearly one-third of adults in the United States experience alcohol use disorder at some point in their lives. 
• Each day, 385 Americans die due to excessive alcohol use.
• Research indicates that medications and therapy can be effective interventions in treating alcohol use disorder.