Patient education: Alcohol intoxication – ED discharge instructions (The Basics)

What are discharge instructions? — 

Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").

What should I know? — 

You came to the ED for alcohol intoxication (being drunk). This happens when someone drinks too much alcohol in a short amount of time.

Severe alcohol intoxication is known as alcohol poisoning. It can make you pass out. This can be life-threatening if you stop breathing or choke on your own vomit.

Any amount of alcohol is harmful to a child. Children can get alcohol poisoning even if they only drink a little.

How do I care for myself at home? — 

Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

You should also do the following:

●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to. Your doctor can help you figure out if you have a problem with alcohol and what kind of help you might need.

●To help you figure out if your drinking is a problem, think about these questions:

•Have you lost control of your drinking? Do you sometimes drink more than you meant to?

•Do you need to drink more and more to feel an effect? Do you feel sick or uncomfortable if you cut back on drinking?

•Has your drinking caused you to lose your job, get into legal trouble, or have relationship problems?

●If you do think you have a problem with alcohol, your doctor can talk to you about treatments. There are also things you can do on your own:

•Keep a drink journal. Write down how much you drink, where you were, and things that might have triggered you to drink. This can help you learn more about your drinking patterns and make changes.

•Some people choose to stop drinking completely. If you drink often, check with your doctor before you stop completely. Stopping or cutting back suddenly can be harmful for people who are used to drinking a lot. This is called "alcohol withdrawal."

•You can go to a group program to help people stop drinking, like Alcoholics Anonymous ("AA"). Or you can seek help from a counselor. Talking to others can help you figure out better ways to handle stress or other problems you are having.

•If you do drink, there are things you can do to stay safe and avoid getting alcohol intoxication again:

-Limit how much you drink, or alternate your drinks with a glass of water or other non-alcoholic drink.

-Do not drink on an empty stomach. Food can help your body absorb alcohol more slowly.

-Do not drive if you have been drinking.

When should I get emergency help?

●Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:

•You or someone else has been drinking alcohol and has signs of alcohol poisoning, such as:

-Very slow, shallow, or irregular breathing. Slow breathing means fewer than 8 breaths in a minute. Irregular breathing includes pauses of 10 or more seconds between breaths.

-Choking

-Slurred speech, or speech that makes no sense

-Skin that looks blue or pale or feels cool to the touch

-Not being able to wake up

-Seizures

●Return to the ED if:

•You have milder signs of alcohol withdrawal, like:

-Feeling anxious or restless, or having trouble sleeping

-Shaking, sweating, or feeling like your heart is racing

-Headache

-Craving alcohol

-Loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting

When should I call the doctor? — 

Call for advice if you:

●Cannot remember periods of time after drinking, or black out when you drink

●Feel like you need to cut down on your drinking, or feel guilty about drinking, but don't know how to stop

●Have new or worsening symptoms

More on this topic

Patient education: Alcohol use – When is drinking a problem? (The Basics)
Patient education: Alcohol poisoning (The Basics)
Patient education: Alcohol withdrawal (The Basics)
Patient education: Alcohol and your health (The Basics)
Patient education: Alcohol and drug use in pregnancy (The Basics)
Patient education: Substance use disorder (The Basics)

Patient education: Alcohol use — when is drinking a problem? (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Risks and benefits of alcohol (Beyond the Basics)