Alcohol First Aid

Severe intoxication, or alcohol poisoning, can be quite dangerous. It can be caused by drinking large amounts of alcohol too quickly in a short period of time. This is known as binge drinking: five (5) or more drinks at a time for men and four (4) or more drinks for women. Binge drinking can also result in depression of the central nervous system and possibly unconsciousness (passing out), coma, or even death.

Here are some basic guidelines to help you size up the scene and decide how to help a drunken friend.

Do

1. Assist the person to a comfortable and safe place.
2. Use a calm, strong voice. Be firm.
3. Assess if the person is in a life-threatening situation and GET HELP IF YOU NEED IT.
4. Lie the intoxicated person down on his or her side with knees up so he or she won’t choke if he or she vomits.
5. Check breathing every 15 minutes. Do not leave person alone.
6. Allow for time. Only time will sober a person up.

Don’t

1. Don’t give cold showers– the shock may make the person pass out.
2. Don’t try to walk him or her around.
3. Don’t provoke a fight by arguing with or laughing at the person who is drunk.
4. Don’t try to counsel the person– confront the behavior later.
5. Don’t give him or anything to eat or drink—coffee and food will not help, and the person may choke.
6. Don’t give the person any drugs (PAINKILLERS, SLEEPING PILLS and ESPECIALLY NOT DEPRESSANT–TYPE DRUGS SUCH AS VALIUM OR XANAX) These will not help the person sober up. The combination of these drugs with alcohol may be fatal.
7. Don’t induce vomiting

GET HELP IMMEDIATELY IF:

• The person cannot be aroused by shaking or shouting
• The person’s breathing rate is shallow, irregular, or slowed to less than 6 –7 breaths per minute
• The person drank alcohol in combination with any medications
• The person sustained a blow to the head or any injury which caused bleeding
• The person drank a large quantity (1/2 quart of liquor) within a short period and then collapsed.

IF YOU ARE NOT SURE WHAT TO DO, BUT THINK THE PERSON NEEDS HELP, CALL 911.

It is better to call for unnecessary help than not to call for help that is needed

Tips for Trouble Free Parties….

• Remember FOOD! It helps slow down alcohol’s absorption rate and gives your guests something to do besides drink.
• Dancing at parties is fun, energizing, and promotes interaction—clear enough floor space and play good music.
• Keep guests circulating-set up the party space so that drinks and food are at various places around the room.
• Provide options– serve creative and refreshing non-alcoholic drinks and display them as attractively as the alcoholic ones.

AT ALL COSTS, don’t let people drive drunk. Arrange a ride with someone sober, call a cab, or allow them to spend the night.

Morgan State University DRUG (ALCOHOL) EDUCATION, PREVENTION, AND REFERRAL SERVICES

The Counseling Center provides information, prevention-education, consultation, and referrals designed to enhance Drug/Alcohol awareness. Intervention efforts consist of drug/alcohol and psycho-educational workshops and referrals to substance abuse treatment centers, agencies and support groups located on campus and in the community.

BACCHUS (Boost Alcohol Consciousness Concerning the Health of University Students) is a student volunteer organization, training students to educate their peers about substance use and abuse. 

Peer Education for Drug/Alcohol Prevention
Phone: (443) 885-3130

Numbers TO KEEP NEARBY

MSU Campus Police: 443-885-3103

MSU Counseling Center: 443-885-3130

MSU Health Center: 443-885-3236

COMMUNITY RESOURCES:

Alcoholics Anonymous:  410-663-1922

Cocaine Anonymous:  301-368-3202

Al-Anon: 410-832-7094

Harbel Prevention and Recovery Center: 410-444-2100