Dear Dr. Carol:
I know someone who is about to turn 21 and wants to drink 21 shots of some alcoholic drink on the birthday – says it’s a “right of passage”. I said I thought that was dangerous and she’s mad at me now. Would you please give an answer about this and I’ll share with her? She does like your column and might listen to you. Thanks!
Worried Friend
Dear Worried Friend:
You have a right to be worried! I want ALL of my readers to take note of this – 21 drinks are not just at, but OVER the LETHAL DOSE of alcohol! Do you read that? IT IS OVER the lethal dose. For someone who is not heavy – say 110 lbs or under, it could take only 9 or 10 drinks in an hour to kill them, let alone drinking 21 shots! It also takes 30-90 minutes AFTER the person has ingested their “shots” for their body to have processed the alcohol to reach the highest level of intoxication.
A person just can’t process that much alcohol. It is a CNS (Central Nervous System) Depressant. It affects the part of your brain called the Cerebrum first – that is where vision, reasoning, and emotion are at. You probably can identify or have seen cases where a person drinks – not all that much – but they are more emotional, or do things they’d not ordinarily do (and usually sorry afterward), etc.
The next area of the brain to be affected is the Cerebellum which is where a person has trouble with their balance, coordination and reflexes. So, a person who drinks very little might be having vision problems and be more uninhibited – but then the more then drink, they are unable to walk straight, and can be off-balance. This is why police officers have people that they stop for possible intoxication try to walk heel-to-toe. If they have consumed enough to have affected the Cerebellum, they will not be able to have that coordination. Often, the person still thinks they can drive; most people are NOT aware of how drunk they are – although others can easily identify it! (So…I would remind people to have a designated driver for ALL times when alcohol is being used).
But then, we have to look at when a person drinks “too much”, because this is when their medulla is affected – this is the area of the brain that controls your breathing, consciousness, and your heart. If a person has drunk enough alcohol to affect the medulla, their heart rate may drop and their breathing can cease which could put them into a coma and death could occur. They may pass out and die from vomiting and not being conscious enough to keep from choking, or simply that their heart will stop.
Oftentimes, the person will have “passed out” so others take them in a room to “sleep it off” – not realizing that they are still processing the alcohol. This is why young people are often found dead after a long period of time has passed and no one understands why they died. There is also the problem that most high school, college aged and even some older people believe that “it can’t happen to me”. Sorry – these are FACTS about the effects of alcohol – you risk it, you might die! And, deaths from alcohol occur in just as many deaths as deaths from overdosing on other drugs – that’s a fact! Let’s even look at the word intoxication – toxic means “poison” and therefore could mean deadly!
Nausea and vomiting may remove unabsorbed alcohol enough to prevent the alcohol poisoning, (which is probably why there aren’t a thousand percentile more deaths from it) but not always. (Vomiting does not occur from “mixing drinks” but from your body trying to rid itself from the poison). Even if a person gets sick and starts vomiting that doesn’t mean they aren’t still be processing the already consumed alcohol for the next 30-90 minutes. They may still have a lethal dose being processed even after ridding themselves of further alcohol.
For your friend and all of my readers; DO get help if a person has consumed too much alcohol. Unfortunately, all too often, the reason people don’t get help is that their friends are fearful that the person will be “mad” at them – or they all will get “into trouble”. We’re not just speaking of trouble here – better to have some “trouble” then live with the fact that the friend died and nothing was done.
For what to watch for – first – these 21 shots at 21 are more than Russian Roulette with your life because it is over the lethal dose. But, the signs of alcohol poisoning are:
• Vomiting
• Passed out
• Difficult to awaken
• Slow, shallow breathing
If you suspect that they have consumed too much alcohol, try to awaken them. Call their name. Are they responsive? Pinch them – remember that being a CNS depressant, the more pinching it takes for them to notice, the worse they are. If you are not getting a good reaction – call 911! Better safe than sorry!
Check their skin color – if they are pale, cold and clammy, or bluish – call 911!
If they are reacting and their color is OK, but not able to be “up”, turn them on their side (so if they vomit, they will not choke) and do no leave them! If they get worse, do what has already been mentioned.
The person who is experiencing alcohol poisoning may or may not have any or all of these symptoms – if you’re at all concerned, you should play it safe, but preferably – DON’T DO IT IN THE FIRST PLACE!
Most of my readers know I’m no fan of drinking at all – I see what it can do, and have said many times that I’ve never seen alcohol improve a life or a marriage. But, this is not about marriage – it truly is about LIFE. If this helps even one person NOT binge, do the 21 shots at 21, etc. I will feel every bit of time I’ve ever taken writing this column was well worth it!
And, to the dear person who wrote this question in caring about her friend, I pray that your friend will pay attention and not do this, and bless you for caring enough to take the time to write in and try!!!
In fact, I really hope that parents will clip this out and share with your kids – and I hope that teachers will read it to your students… lives are at stake! (Thanks)!!!
Dear Dr. Carol:
I have a steak dinner riding on your answer – what is the boundary between appropriate and inappropriate for a married person regarding someone of the opposite sex that is not the spouse?
Sure I’ll Win
Dear SIW (Maybe):
Firstly, if a married person has an “attraction” to anyone outside the marriage, they should never be alone with that person, and probably should try not to be around them to protect things going further. Secondly, the boundary is that if you do or say anything you wouldn’t do or say in front of the spouse, you’ve crossed the boundary. Better to not put oneself in such a position!
So, did you win?
Send your questions to: “Ask Dr. Carol” at either bewell@bendnet.com or PO Box 11, Mitchell, OR 97750. Be sure to mention Wheeler County News by name. Carol Humphreys, Th.D., ChPs, MSW has offices in Prineville and Mitchell . www.askdrcarol.net
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