Editing Alcohol intoxication (section)

{{Short description|Behavioural and physical changes due to the consumption of alcohol}}
{{Redirect|Drunk}}
{{Redirect|Buzzed|the TV episode|Buzzed (Entourage)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox medical condition (new)
| name = Alcohol intoxication
| synonyms =  Inebriation, drunkenness, ethanol intoxication, internal damage by alcohol<ref name=Gar2007/><ref name="Gup2016">{{cite book |last=Gupta |first=P. K. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=u3mLCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA226 |title=Fundamentals of Toxicology: Essential Concepts and Applications |date=2016 |publisher=Academic Press |isbn=978-0-12-805403-1|quote=Alcohol poisoning presents in two forms, acute and chronic. However, these are most often referred to as alcohol intoxication and alcohol addiction respectively.}}</ref>
| image = Michelangelo drunken Noah.jpg
| caption = ''The Drunkenness of Noah'' by [[Michelangelo]], 1509
| field = [[Toxicology]], [[psychiatry]]
| symptoms = '''Mild''': Mild [[sedation]], decreased coordination<ref name=Mer2018/><br />'''Moderate''': [[Dysarthria|Slurred speech]], trouble walking, vomiting<ref name=Mer2018/><br />'''Severe''': [[Hypoventilation|Decreased effort to breathe]], coma<ref name=Mer2018/>
| complications = [[Seizures]], [[aspiration pneumonia]], injuries, [[hypoglycemia|low blood sugar]]<ref name=Mer2018/><ref name=NHS2018/>
| onset = Over minutes to hours<ref name=DSM5/>
| duration = Several hours<ref name=DSM5/>
| types = 
| causes = [[alcohol (drug)|Alcohol]] ([[ethanol]])<ref name=Jun2014/>
| risks = Social environment, [[impulsivity]], [[anxiety]], alcoholism<ref name=DSM5/><ref name="Mayo2019">{{cite web |title=Alcohol use disorder – Symptoms and causes |url=https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alcohol-use-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20369243 |access-date=26 November 2019 |website=Mayo Clinic}}</ref>
| diagnosis = Typically based on history of events and [[physical examination]]<ref name=Jun2014/>
| differential = [[Hepatic encephalopathy]], [[Wernicke encephalopathy]], [[methanol toxicity]], [[meningitis]], [[traumatic brain injury]]<ref name=Jun2014/>
| prevention = 
| treatment = [[Supportive care]]<ref name=Jun2014/>
| medication = 
| prognosis = 
| frequency = Very common
| deaths = {{circa}} 2,200 per year (U.S.)<ref name=Kan2015/>
}}
<!-- Definition and symptoms -->
'''Alcohol intoxication''', commonly described in higher doses as '''drunkenness''' or '''inebriation''',<ref>{{cite web |title=Meaning of inebriation in English |url=https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/inebriation |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210624152658/https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/inebriation |archive-date=24 June 2021 |access-date=24 June 2021 |website=dictionary.cambridge.org [[Cambridge University Press]]}}</ref> and known in [[overdose]] as '''alcohol poisoning''',<ref name="Gar2007">{{cite book |last1=Garfunkel |first1=Lynn C. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pwajBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA13 |title=Pediatric Clinical Advisor E-Book: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment |last2=Kaczorowski |first2=Jeffrey |last3=Christy |first3=Cynthia |date=2007 |publisher=Elsevier Health Sciences |isbn=9780323070584 |page=13}}</ref> is the behavior and physical effects caused by recent consumption of [[Alcohol (drug)|alcohol]].<ref name="Jun2014">{{cite book |last1=Jung |first1=YC |title=Alcohol and the Nervous System |last2=Namkoong |first2=K |chapter=Alcohol |date=2014 |series=Handbook of Clinical Neurology |isbn=9780444626196 |volume=125 |pages=115–21 |doi=10.1016/B978-0-444-62619-6.00007-0 |pmid=25307571}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=Acute intoxication |url=https://www.who.int/substance_abuse/terminology/acute_intox/en/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040704055527/http://www.who.int/substance_abuse/terminology/acute_intox/en/ |archive-date=4 July 2004 |access-date=24 May 2018 |publisher=World Health Organization}}</ref> The technical term ''intoxication'' in common speech may suggest that a large amount of alcohol has been consumed, leading to accompanying physical symptoms and deleterious health effects. Mild intoxication is mostly referred to by slang terms such as ''tipsy'' or ''buzzed''. In addition to the [[toxicity]] of [[ethanol]], the main [[Psychoactive drug|psychoactive]] component of alcoholic beverages, other physiological symptoms may arise from the activity of [[acetaldehyde]], a [[metabolite]] of alcohol.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Zakhari|first=Samir|year=2006|title=Overview: how is alcohol metabolized by the body?|journal=Alcohol Research & Health|volume=29|issue=4|pages=245–254|issn=1535-7414|pmc=6527027|pmid=17718403}}</ref> These effects may not arise until hours after ingestion and may contribute to a condition colloquially known as a [[hangover]]. 

Symptoms of [[Substance intoxication|intoxication]] at lower doses may include mild [[sedation]] and poor coordination.<ref name=Mer2018/> At higher doses, there may be slurred speech, [[Ataxia#Exogenous substances (metabolic ataxia)|trouble walking]], impaired vision, mood swings and vomiting.<ref name=Mer2018/> Extreme doses may result in a [[Hypoventilation|respiratory depression]], coma, or death.<ref name="Mer2018">{{cite web |title=Alcohol Toxicity and Withdrawal |url=https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/special-subjects/recreational-drugs-and-intoxicants/alcohol-toxicity-and-withdrawal |access-date=24 May 2018 |website=Merck Manuals Professional Edition}}</ref> Complications may include [[seizures]], [[aspiration pneumonia]], [[hypoglycemia|low blood sugar]], and injuries or self-harm such as [[suicide]].<ref name=Mer2018/><ref name=NHS2018/> Alcohol intoxication can lead to [[alcohol-related crime]] with perpetrators more likely to be intoxicated than victims.<ref name=":1">{{Citation |last=Sung |first=Hung-En |title=Alcohol and Crime |year=2016 |encyclopedia=The Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology |pages=1–2 |entry=Alcohol and Crime |publisher=Wiley|doi=10.1002/9781405165518.wbeosa039.pub2 |isbn=978-1-4051-6551-8}}</ref>

<!-- Cause and diagnosis -->
Alcohol intoxication typically begins after two or more [[alcoholic drink]]s.<ref name=DSM5/> Alcohol has the potential for abuse.  Risk factors include a social situation where heavy drinking is common and a person having an impulsive personality.<ref name=DSM5/> Diagnosis is usually based on the history of events and physical examination.<ref name=Jun2014/> Verification of events by witnesses may be useful.<ref name=Jun2014/> Legally, alcohol intoxication is often defined as a [[blood alcohol concentration]] (BAC) of greater than 5.4–17.4&nbsp;mmol/L (25–80&nbsp;mg/dL or 0.025–0.080%).<ref>{{cite journal |date=22 April 2018 |title=Ethanol Level: Reference Range, Interpretation, Collection and Panels |url=https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2090019-overview?pa=tZlaRqU6qrJZktQC5WWvdZUn3AyA7274pd4Hf2zSCvNL1t86c9tryKJmi8Xcaw5t8SIvl8zjYv73GUyW5rsbWA%3D%3D |access-date=24 May 2018 |website=Medscape}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite journal |last1=Canfield |first1=DV |last2=Dubowski |first2=KM |last3=Cowan |first3=M |last4=Harding |first4=PM |date=January 2014 |title=Alcohol Limits and Public Safety. |journal=Forensic Science Review |volume=26 |issue=1 |pages=9–22 |pmid=26226968}}</ref> This can be measured by blood or [[breathalyzer|breath testing]].<ref name="DSM5">{{Citation |title=Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.) |url=https://archive.org/details/diagnosticstatis0005unse/page/497 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/diagnosticstatis0005unse/page/497 497–499] |year=2013 |place=Arlington |publisher=American Psychiatric Publishing |isbn=978-0890425558}}</ref> Alcohol is broken down in the human body at a rate of about 3.3&nbsp;mmol/L (15&nbsp;mg/dL) per hour,<ref name=Jun2014/> depending on an individual's [[metabolic rate]] ([[metabolism]]).<ref name=":3">{{cite web |title=Alcohol Alert |url=https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/AA72/AA72.htm |access-date=24 June 2021 |website=pubs.niaaa.nih.gov |archive-date=28 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228215303/https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/AA72/AA72.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[DSM-5]] defines alcohol intoxication as at least one of the following symptoms that developed during or close after alcohol ingestion: slurred speech, incoordination, unsteady walking/movement, nystagmus (uncontrolled eye movement), attention or memory impairment, or near unconsciousness or coma.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book |last=American Psychiatric Association |url=https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/book/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596 |title=Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders |date=2013-05-22 |publisher=American Psychiatric Association |isbn=978-0-89042-555-8 |edition=5th|doi=10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596}}</ref>

<!-- Treatment -->
Management of alcohol intoxication involves supportive care.<ref name=Jun2014/> Typically this includes putting the person in the recovery position, keeping the person warm, and making sure breathing is sufficient.<ref name="NHS2018">{{cite web |date=17 October 2017 |title=Alcohol poisoning |url=https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/alcohol-poisoning/ |access-date=24 May 2018 |website=nhs.uk}}</ref> [[Gastric lavage]] and [[activated charcoal]] have not been found to be useful.<ref name=Jun2014/> Repeated assessments may be required to rule out other potential causes of a person's symptoms.<ref name=Jun2014/>

<!-- Culture -->
Acute intoxication has been documented throughout history, and alcohol remains one of the world's most widespread [[recreational drug]]s.<ref name=":5">{{cite book |last1=Belenko |first1=Steven |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w3pZDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT21 |title=Drugs, Crime, and Justice |last2=Spohn |first2=Cassia |date=2014 |publisher=SAGE Publications |isbn=9781483355429 |page=PT21}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Martin |first=Scott C. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R9i5BgAAQBAJ&pg=PT1382 |title=The SAGE Encyclopedia of Alcohol: Social, Cultural, and Historical Perspectives |date=2014 |publisher=SAGE Publications |isbn=9781483374383 |page=PT1382}}</ref> Some religions, such as Islam, consider alcohol intoxication to be a sin.<ref name=DSM5/><ref>{{cite book |last=Kolig |first=Erich |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=c3iEBiWQOBwC&pg=PA101 |title=Conservative Islam: A Cultural Anthropology |date=2012 |publisher=Lexington Books |isbn=9780739174258 |page=101}}</ref>