The common St Patrick’s Day tradition could see some revellers overdo it
St Patrick’s Day on 17 March will witness people worldwide honouring the legacy of Ireland’s patron saint. Yet one of the holiday’s most widespread customs can swiftly land celebrants in A&E if they fail to take a safety precaution.
Those marking St Patrick’s Day have been known to engage in heavy drinking sessions as part of the festivities, with whiskey, Guinness, and Irish coffees proving especially popular choices. However, this custom can rapidly escalate into alcohol poisoning, a serious medical condition that may necessitate hospital intervention.
Alcohol poisoning develops when an individual consumes alcohol faster than their body can metabolise it, resulting in excessive levels of unprocessed alcohol in the bloodstream. As this metabolic rate varies between individuals, there’s no universal ‘safe’ rate for consuming large quantities of alcohol.
Excessive blood alcohol levels can trigger numerous problems and impair essential bodily functions. In severe instances, without proper medical attention, it can prove fatal.
The symptoms of alcohol poisoning can closely resemble ordinary intoxication, but four distinct indicators differentiate these conditions. With alcohol poisoning, an individual’s skin, lips, gums, or nails may turn pale or take on a bluish tint, and they might also suffer loss of consciousness, seizures, and erratic breathing patterns.
Other symptoms of alcohol poisoning according to the NHS:
- Confusion
- Slurring words or being unable to speak
- Being unable to coordinate movement, for example, being unable to stand, walk, or pick things up
- Being sick
- Peeing or pooing yourself
Alcohol poisoning typically requires hospital treatment, with patients under close observation due to the risk of severe complications like liver and heart failure, which can be life-threatening. Treatment may involve administering fluids via an IV drip and providing breathing assistance until the alcohol’s effects subside.
If you suspect someone is suffering from alcohol poisoning, it’s important to stay with them until they can be taken to hospital or the effects of the alcohol begin to diminish. Until then, there’s a danger they could choke on their own vomit or cease breathing.
The NHS advises sitting the affected individual upright if they’re conscious or positioning them in the recovery position if they’ve lost consciousness, ensuring they are breathing correctly. If they can swallow, offer them small sips of water and keep them warm with a coat or blanket.
In light of St Patrick’s Day, Ireland is altering its licensing regulations for alcohol sales. According to Citizens Information, alcohol sales can only commence at 12.30pm instead of 10.30am nationwide.
In Dublin, where the St Patrick’s Day parade will take place, alcohol sales are voluntarily deferred until after the parade concludes at 4pm.
This alteration in regulations forms part of the gardai’s public safety strategy for the festival, aiming to maintain a family-friendly environment during the daytime celebrations.