ethanol intoxication

Etiology

• binge drinking

Epidemiology

• ethanol is most commonly involved in alcohol intoxication
• ethanol, alone or in combination with benzodiazepines, is responsible for more toxic overdoses than any other agent
• an average of 6 people die of ethanol poisoning each day in the U.S.
• 76% of ethanol poisoning deaths are among adults ages 35-64
• 3 stages during which the brain undergoes substantial changes may be particularly sensitive to neurotoxic effects of alcohol
  • prenatal period, ages 15-19, age > 65 years
• 76% of those who die from ethanol poisoning are men

Pathology

• very high levels of blood alcohol can inhibit brainstem control of respiration & heart rate, & hypothalamic control of body temperature, resulting in death

Clinical manifestations

• behavioral, psychomotor & cognitive changes occur at levels as low as 20-30 mg/dL (1-2 drinks)
• CNS depression
  • narcosis or deep sleep is induced in many people at 160 mg/dL
• death can occur at serum levels of 300-400 mg/dL

Laboratory

• no anion gap
• osmolal gap > 10 mOsm/kg H2O
• blood alcohol of 80 mg/dL (0.08%) is legal level of ethanol intoxication

Complications

• disease interaction(s) of alcohol intoxication with overflow incontinence

Management

• normal saline, thiamine 100 mg, glucose
• supportive care
• naloxone for acute ethanol intoxication (respiratory depression)

More general terms

• alcohol toxicity

Additional terms

• alcohol abuse (includes alcohol use disorder, risky alcohol use)
• alcoholic beverage

Patient information

ethanol intoxication patient information