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Acute Alcohol Intoxication in Your Teen: Care Instructions

Overview

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Your teen has had treatment to help their body get rid of alcohol. Too much alcohol upsets the body's fluid balance, so your doctor may have given your teen fluids and vitamins.

For some people, drinking too much alcohol is a one-time event. For others, it is a long-term problem. In either case, it is serious and can be life-threatening.

Follow-up care is a key part of your teen's treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if your teen is having problems. It's also a good idea to know your teen's test results and keep a list of the medicines your teen takes.

How can you care for your teen at home?

  • Be safe with medicines. Have your teen take medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think your teen is having a problem with a medicine.

  • If your teen has been given medicine to prevent nausea, be sure your teen takes it exactly as prescribed.

  • Know that your teen could have some symptoms of a hangover in the next few days.

  • Have your teen drink plenty of liquids in the next few days.

  • Get help for your teen. Counseling and support groups can help your teen stop using alcohol. Family counseling is a good idea too.

When should you call for help?

../images/Call-for-help_icn.jpgCall 911 anytime you think your teen may need emergency care. For example, call if:

 

  • Your teen passes out (loses consciousness).

 

  • Your teen has trouble breathing.

 

  • Your teen feels confused or cannot think clearly.

 

  • Your teen is seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there.

 

  • Your teen has a seizure.

 

  • Your teen vomits blood or what looks like coffee grounds.

 

  • You're worried your teen can't stop from hurting themself or someone else.

Where to get help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

If your teen talks about suicide, self-harm, a mental health crisis, a substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress, get help right away. You can:

 

  • Call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

 

  • Call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).

 

  • Text HOME to 741741 to access the Crisis Text Line.

Consider saving these numbers in your phone.

Go to 988lifeline.org for more information or to chat online.

Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

 

  • Your teen can't stop vomiting.

 

  • Your teen has symptoms of dehydration, such as:

    • Dry eyes and a dry mouth.

    • Passing only a little urine.

    • Feeling thirstier than usual.

 

  • Your teen has new or worse symptoms of alcohol withdrawal such as:

    • Trembling, restlessness, or sweating.

    • Anxiety or feeling tense and edgy.

    • Headache or fast or irregular heartbeats.

Watch closely for changes in your teen's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:

 

  • Your teen does not get better as expected.

 

  • Your teen needs help to stop drinking.

Current as of: November 15, 2023

Content Version: 14.0

Care instructions adapted under license by your healthcare professional. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask your healthcare professional. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.

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