Teens Death Exposes Danger of Binge Drinking

Teens Death Exposes Danger of Binge Drinking Addiction Alcohol Use Binge Drinking Print Story of Teens Death Exposes Danger of Binge Drinking Know signs of alcohol poisoning and when to call 9-1-1 By Buddy T facebook twitter Buddy T is an anonymous writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Learn about our editorial policy Buddy T Updated on June 01, 2019 Family Photo More in Addiction Alcohol Use Binge Drinking Withdrawal and Relapse Children of Alcoholics Drunk Driving Addictive Behaviors Drug Use Nicotine Use Coping and Recovery The acute alcohol poisoning death of 16-year-old Julia Gonzalez shook the nation in 2008 when she was found dead in a park. The coroner said her blood-alcohol content showed the equivalent of 16 drinks consumed in one hour. An average-sized, healthy person generally can safely process one drink in one hour.   Gonzalezs death was ruled accidental. Although no one has come forward to say what happened that night, it is assumed her death was the result of binge drinking gone terribly wrong. Although, her death highlights clearly the dangers of binge drinking for others. It is very important to know the signs of alcohol poisoning, you can save a persons life. Signs of Acute Alcohol Poisoning There is a difference between sleeping it off and alcohol poisoning. It is important to know the signs of acute alcohol poisoning:Mental confusionPerson cannot be woken upVomitingSeizuresSlow breathing (fewer than eight breaths per minute)Irregular breathing (10 seconds or more between breaths)Hypothermia (low body temperature), bluish skin color, paleness? Death by Alcohol The toxicology report showed Gonzalezs  blood-alcohol content  at the time of her death was 0.52, more than six times the legal limit for adult intoxication in California. At 5 feet 2 inches tall and about 100 pounds, Julia would have had to drink the equivalent of one pint of 86-proof whiskey in an hour to register that high, said the deputy coroner. Were not saying thats what she drank, but thats what youd have to drink at that weight to get to that level. How to Identify Acute Alcohol Poisoning A Tragic, But Common, Binge Drinking Story Unfortunately, Gonzalezs story happens way too frequently to young, inexperienced drinkers who engage in  extreme binge drinking. They get far too intoxicated to function, and then their friends think they are just drunk and passed out. Or, in another case, everyone is underage, drinking illegally and hesitant to call for help. The legal consequences of underage drinking pale in comparison to a friend losing their life because no one called 9-1-1. In the case of Gonzalez, it was known that she was meeting up with friends that night, but none of her friends would talk about what happened between the time Gonzalez said goodbye to her grandmother the night before at 7 p.m. and when her body was found at 5 a.m. the next morning. What detectives piece together is that when she got into trouble that night by drinking too much, too quickly and began to exhibit symptoms of acute alcohol poisoning, her friends did not call 9-1-1. Call For Help, Save a Life If you feel a person may have alcohol poisoning, call 9-1-1. It could be a matter of life or death. If you are not sure, some signs would be that the person will not wake up if you try to wake them, or if the person is breathing too slowly and is cold to the touch. If the person is vomiting, stay with the person and do not leave. It may be unpleasant, but staying could save the persons life. Try to sit the person up. If the person cannot stay upright, lay the person on their side, with their head turned to one side. Watch for signs of choking. Do not give the person anything to eat or drink to try to sober them up. Do not put them in a cold shower. Only time can sober a person up or medical help. Critical Ways Binge Drinking Can Affect Your Brain and Memory