Alcohol poisoning and vomiting blood

Call the local ambulance service. Blood may be bright red, dark, clotted, or resemble coffee grounds. Do not wait to see whether the vomiting stops, and do not let an intoxicated person sleep without monitoring while help is coming.

Forceful retching can tear tissue where the food pipe meets the stomach. Alcohol can inflame the stomach lining, and advanced liver disease can create enlarged veins that bleed heavily. An ulcer or another upper digestive tract problem may also be responsible.

Oesophageal cancer and stomach cancer can present with upper digestive bleeding, but a single episode does not reveal the cause. Emergency clinicians first stabilise breathing and circulation, then investigate where the blood came from.

Keep the person away from further alcohol, food, coffee, and medicines unless emergency staff instruct otherwise. If awake, keep them sitting upright and calm. If they are unconscious but breathing, place them on their side so vomit can drain, keep the airway clear, and stay with them.

Tell responders what was consumed, roughly when, whether other drugs or medicines were involved, and whether the person has liver disease, ulcers, or takes blood-thinning medicine. Save containers or packaging if this can be done safely.

Emergency help is essential for vomiting any amount of blood in this setting. Slow or irregular breathing, blue or pale skin, inability to wake, seizures, collapse, confusion, cold clammy skin, severe abdominal pain, or black stools add to the concern. Start cardiopulmonary resuscitation if the person is not breathing normally and follow the call handler's instructions.

Once the immediate danger is controlled, ask where the bleeding started, whether an endoscopy is needed, whether liver injury or enlarged veins were found, and which medicines should be avoided. A clinician can also arrange support for alcohol dependence and a safe withdrawal plan.