Alcohol_Poisoning_Overdose

Unconscious or semi consciousness.
Slow respiration (breaths) of eight or less per minute or lapses between breaths of more than eight seconds.
Cold, clammy, pale or bluish skin. In the event of alcohol poisoning, these signs and symptoms will most likely be accompanied by a strong odor of alcohol. While these are obvious signs of alcohol poisoning, the list is certainly not all inclusive.

If you encounter a person who exhibits one or more of the signs and symptoms CALL 911.
Do what you would do in any medical emergency--call immediately.
While waiting for 911 emergency transport, gently turn the intoxicated person on his/her side and maintain that position by placing a pillow in the small of the person's back. This is important to prevent aspiration (choking) should the person vomit. Stay with the person until medical help arrives.

If a person appears to be "sleeping it off" it is important to realize that even though a person may be semi-conscious, alcohol already in the stomach may continue to enter the bloodstream and circulate throughout the body.

The person's life may still be in danger. If you are having difficulty in determining whether an individual is acutely intoxicated, contact a health professional immediately--you cannot afford to guess.

Reprinted from National Council on Drug and Alcohol Dependence, Inc