Key Takeaways
- Rubbing Alcohol is Dangerous to Drink: Drinking rubbing alcohol is highly harmful and can cause serious health problems or death.
- Why People Drink Rubbing Alcohol: Some people with alcohol use disorder might drink rubbing alcohol when they can’t access regular alcohol.
- Symptoms of Rubbing Alcohol Poisoning: Drinking rubbing alcohol can lead to poisoning, causing nausea, confusion, or even coma.
- Virtue Recovery Houston Offers Help: Addiction treatment and recovery programs are available to help people struggling with alcoholism and prevent dangerous behaviors.
Introduction
It is hazardous to consume rubbing alcohol, and it can cause severe complications. Although it is a cleaner or disinfectant, some people with alcohol use disorder may use it when they cannot get regular alcohol. But, it is not safe to drink rubbing alcohol, and even a tiny quantity can lead to severe illness or death. If you or your friend is suffering from alcoholism, then it is high time to seek help. At Virtue Recovery Houston, we offer the best addiction treatment services to ensure that people get well and do not engage in dangerous activities such as drinking rubbing alcohol.
What is Rubbing Alcohol?
Isopropyl alcohol is a chemical used to clean surfaces or to clean and treat cuts. It is much more potent than the alcohol in beer, wine, or spirit, and it is not safe to consume. The isopropyl alcohol used in rubbing alcohol is between 70% and 99%, while ethanol used in alcoholic drinks is only between 40% and 60%. Rubbing alcohol is toxic to the body when consumed, and the body metabolizes it differently.
What Happens if You Drink Rubbing Alcohol?
Rubbing alcohol when consumed can lead to severe and life-threatening consequences on the body. Here’s what happens when someone drinks it:
- Severe Stomach Pain: Rubbing alcohol irritates the stomach lining and can cause intense pain, nausea, and vomiting.
- Dizziness and Confusion: Because it’s much stronger than drinking alcohol, rubbing alcohol affects the brain quickly. People may feel dizzy, confused, or disoriented.
- Breathing Problems: At times, rubbing alcohol may reduce the breathing rate, thus depriving the body of the required oxygen.
- Poisoning: Alcohol poisoning can occur even with small quantities of rubbing alcohol, and it is dangerous. Some symptoms include slow heart rate, low blood pressure, and at times, fainting.
Rubbing alcohol is much more dangerous than regular alcohol, and if one has consumed it, then it is advisable to seek medical help.
Why Do Some People Drink Rubbing Alcohol?
Some of the individuals who have alcohol use disorder may resort to drinking rubbing alcohol when they cannot get other alcoholic beverages. This is especially the case when the patient has a severe alcohol dependence disorder and will take any drink that contains alcohol to quench the thirst. But, when a person starts drinking rubbing alcohol, it is evident that the person needs help.
Here’s why this happens:
- Desperation: When people with alcoholism can’t get access to typical alcoholic beverages, they might turn to dangerous alternatives like rubbing alcohol, mouthwash, or other household products.
- Addiction: Alcohol use disorder is a disease that affects the brain and makes a person crave alcohol and drink it even if it is detrimental to their health.
Consuming rubbing alcohol is very dangerous and is a clear indication that the person needs help from an addiction treatment center.
Symptoms of Rubbing Alcohol Poisoning
If a person consumes rubbing alcohol, he or she may have symptoms of poisoning, and this is a condition that needs to be treated as soon as possible. The symptoms of rubbing alcohol poisoning include:
- Nausea and Vomiting: Rubbing alcohol is toxic to the body, and the body’s response is usually to throw up and have stomach cramps.
- Confusion and Dizziness: The person may get lost, forget where they are, or even pass out.
- Slow Breathing: Isopropyl alcohol may cause respiratory depression, which is a condition whereby the breathing rate is reduced, and this may lead to low oxygen levels.
- Unconsciousness or Coma: In severe cases, if a person drinks rubbing alcohol, he or she may fall unconscious or even fall into a coma, and if not given medical attention, the person may die.
If you think that someone has ingested rubbing alcohol, then the first thing you should do is to call the emergency services and make sure that the person gets medical attention.
How Virtue Recovery Houston Can Help
If you or your dear ones are using rubbing alcohol or have symptoms of alcohol use disorder, it is high time to turn to a specialist. At Virtue Recovery Houston, we provide a full range of services for the treatment of alcohol addiction and preventing risky actions.
Here’s how we can help:
- Medical Detox: We provide supervised detox to help people safely remove alcohol and harmful substances like rubbing alcohol from their bodies.
- Therapy and Counseling: The treatment options we offer include counseling sessions to help identify and manage the causes of alcohol dependence and develop proper mechanisms of handling stress.
- Long-Term Support: It is a process, and we provide continuing care to ensure that the individuals we treat do not go back to their old ways and fall back into substance abuse.
We want to assist individuals in stopping the use of alcohol and to assist them in getting their lives back together in a protected environment.
Conclusion
Ingesting rubbing alcohol is very hazardous and may result in severe health complications such as alcohol poisoning and death. Alcohol addicts may resort to using rubbing alcohol in their attempts to get intoxicated, and this is a clear indication that they need professional help. At Virtue Recovery Houston, we provide the best addiction treatment services to assist individuals to overcome alcoholism and prevent them from engaging in risky behaviors such as consuming rubbing alcohol. If you or someone you know is suffering from alcohol use disorder, contact Virtue Recovery Houston at 866-457-4811 to get more information about our services and how we can assist you in the process of recovery.
FAQs
Can you die from drinking rubbing alcohol?
Yes, drinking rubbing alcohol is extremely dangerous and can be fatal. Even small amounts can cause poisoning, slow breathing, and death.
What happens if you drink rubbing alcohol?
Consuming rubbing alcohol can lead to stomach aches, disorientation, dizziness, and alcohol poisoning, which may result in life-threatening complications.
Why do people with alcoholism drink rubbing alcohol?
People with alcohol use disorder might drink rubbing alcohol if they can’t get regular alcohol. This is often a sign of severe addiction that requires immediate help.
What are the signs of rubbing alcohol poisoning?
Signs of rubbing alcohol poisoning include nausea, vomiting, confusion, slow breathing, and unconsciousness. If you suspect someone has drunk rubbing alcohol, seek medical help immediately.
How can Virtue Recovery Houston help with alcohol use disorder?
Virtue Recovery Houston is a medical detox, therapy, and long-term support center for those suffering from alcohol use disorder. We provide individualized treatment plans to enable individuals to detox safely and refrain from engaging in dangerous practices such as consuming rubbing alcohol.
Resources
https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/understanding-alcohol-use-disorder
https://medlineplus.gov/alcoholusedisorderaud.html
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alcohol-use-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20369243
- About the Author
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Gigi Price holds licenses as a Master Social Worker and Clinical Drug Counselor. She completed her master’s degree in Social Work at Texas State University. Over the last decade, Gigi has been dedicated to utilizing evidence-based practices to enhance patient care and treatment planning, resulting in positive, long-term outcomes for patients and their families. Her passion lies in creating a treatment environment where professionals collaborate to bring about positive change and provide a safe, trustworthy therapeutic experience. Patients can be confident in receiving top-quality care under her leadership.
In her role as the Clinical Director of Virtue Recovery Houston, Gigi conducted research to identify the most effective approaches for treating patients with acute mental health diagnoses, PTSD, and Substance Use Disorder. She then assembled a team of skilled clinicians who could offer various therapeutic modalities, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
(DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Somatic Exposure, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). Gigi takes pride in overseeing the development and implementation of Virtue Houston’s Treatment Program, which includes two specialized therapeutic curricula tailored to the unique needs of individuals struggling with mental health issues, addiction, and PTSD.
