Preventing alcohol poisoning at the end of the year.

The end of the year is a time for people to gather, hold parties, celebrate, and eat with family, friends, and colleagues. However, alongside this joyful atmosphere, a hidden danger that few people pay attention to is alcohol poisoning.

The end of the year is a time for people to gather, hold parties, celebrate, and eat with family, friends, and colleagues. However, alongside this joyful atmosphere, a hidden danger that few people pay attention to is alcohol poisoning.

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Potential danger

Symptoms of alcohol poisoning can appear immediately after drinking or some time later, depending on the severity of the poisoning. Common symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and difficulty breathing. In severe cases, the poisoned person may fall into a coma or lose consciousness.

Alcohol poisoning can stem from a variety of causes.

Firstly, excessive alcohol consumption in a short period is the primary cause of acute alcohol poisoning. Consuming a large amount of alcohol overwhelms the body's ability to process it, leading to intoxication, loss of control, and dangerous symptoms such as difficulty breathing and altered consciousness.

Secondly, counterfeit or low-quality alcohol is also a significant cause. These types of alcohol often contain methanol (industrial alcohol) or other toxic substances, which can cause severe poisoning, seriously affecting the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system.

Alcohol abuse or consumption of alcohol contaminated with methanol can have very serious consequences, even death.

A prime example is the incident that occurred during the Lunar New Year in 2023 in several provinces in the Southwestern region of Vietnam, where more than 20 people suffered methanol poisoning after consuming alcohol of unknown origin. As a result, many were hospitalized in critical condition, in a deep coma, with kidney and liver failure.

Furthermore, choosing inappropriate foods to eat while drinking alcohol can also increase the risk of poisoning. Some processed foods or foods that are not guaranteed to be safe can react negatively with alcohol, leading to stomach and digestive problems, or even food poisoning.

Recently, on the afternoon of December 19, 2024, a serious food poisoning incident occurred in Long Bien district ( Hanoi ), resulting in two deaths and many others being hospitalized. Of the 20 hospitalized patients, 14 suffered from septic shock, toxic acidosis, and hyperlactate metabolic acidosis. Authorities determined the cause was poisoning from acetonitrile, a chemical found in the white wine consumed by those attending the party.

Next, on December 22, 2024, Vung Tau Hospital admitted four patients suspected of methanol poisoning. One of these patients was in a coma. This is a prime example of the harm caused by consuming alcohol of unknown origin, which often contains methanol – an extremely dangerous substance.

Alcohol poisoning, especially from unregulated or homemade alcohol, is also a serious problem during the year-end holiday season. Authorities have warned of the increased risk of alcohol poisoning during the holidays, when many people abuse alcohol.

“Alcohol of unknown origin, especially homemade liquor, is often mixed with industrial methanol to increase the alcohol content and reduce production costs. When methanol enters the body, it is metabolized into formic acid and formaldehyde, causing serious damage to the liver, kidneys, and nervous system, and can lead to blindness and death,” said Dr. Nguyen Trung Nguyen, Director of the Poison Control Center (Bach Mai Hospital).

How can we prevent it?

To minimize the risk of alcohol poisoning, especially during holidays, everyone needs to pay attention to some basic principles. It is recommended that people drink alcohol in moderation and not exceed the permitted amount to reduce the risk of alcohol poisoning. One important principle is not to drink alcohol on an empty stomach. Drinking before eating will cause the body to absorb alcohol quickly, increasing the risk of poisoning. In addition, if you feel intoxicated or experience symptoms such as dizziness or nausea, stop drinking immediately and switch to water or non-alcoholic beverages to allow your body to recover.

When choosing alcohol, ensure you only buy it from reputable stores or establishments with clear origins. Avoid buying alcohol of unknown origin, especially counterfeit or low-quality alcohol, as it may contain harmful substances such as methanol. Be sure to check the label and expiration date of the alcohol to avoid consuming expired products.

Furthermore, it is crucial to avoid combining alcohol with other harmful substances. Alcohol can interact with certain medications, leading to dangerous reactions that affect the liver, kidneys, and digestive system. In particular, avoid combining alcohol with unsafe foods, such as raw seafood or undercooked meat, as this can increase the risk of infection or food poisoning.

According to Dr. Nguyen Trung Nguyen, during the year-end period, people should consume alcohol at the lowest possible risk level per drinking session, drinking slowly, combining it with food, and alternating with water.

In particular, family members need to carefully monitor those who are intoxicated. If the person is still conscious, they should be given foods and drinks containing sugar and starch such as rice, corn, potatoes, cassava, milk, sugary fruit juice, broth, or thin porridge... to provide energy, otherwise hypoglycemia may occur. At the same time, the family needs to pay attention to any severe symptoms in their loved one so that they can be taken to the emergency room promptly.

For example, if someone ingests methanol, they will experience headaches, drowsiness, loss of consciousness, vision loss, and coma. These symptoms usually don't occur immediately during the drinking session; most patients become critical after one day. Without timely hospitalization and treatment, the risk of death is very high.

There are severe cases where, even if the patient survives, treatment is very difficult. In addition to mechanical ventilation, patients require continuous hemodialysis along with detoxification solutions, with treatment costs potentially reaching hundreds of millions of VND.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/phong-ngua-ngo-doc-ruou-cuoi-nam-d239509.html