Donating blood as an alcoholic

[blahman8000]

I'm not sure if this is the right board to post this in. I'm just most comfortable about talking about this here. I hope I can get some answers.

My friend died back in August 2010, and his birthday was a few days ago. He used to donate blood often to help people, and there is a memorial blood drive in his honor from his birthday until a few weeks from now. I want to donate blood, but I am a drunk. I don't know if my blood will be eligible. Will my alcohol consumption damage my blood to the point that it is not useful?

 

[Dave]

I can virtually guarantee that they won't use your blood if any BAC is detectable. Donating blood is a wonderful thing to do, but if you're drinking enough to consider yourself 'a drunk', then it might be better, both for you and for the hypothetical recipient of your blood, if you pass on it this time, and work on getting sober and healthy. That way, you'll be able to donate blood with a clean conscience next year.

If you've been sober long enough for any alcohol to clear out of your system, and you don't appear (or feel) too ill, then you might be able to donate. I don't know enough about long-term damage to blood from chronic heavy drinking, or what they test for, so I don't know if the blood would get used. However, you could still show solidarity with the other participants, and with your friend's memory, by donating. As long as you've been sober for at least four consecutive days; a week would be better.

 

[dropthatpickle]

Dave's right, they'd take your blood then throw it out when the labs show +ETOH. Drinking, by itself, doesn't do anything to the blood, but many alcoholics are malnourished and take poor care of their health. Their labs will be messed up. Alcohol doesn't target the circulatory system. It's metabolized by the liver, which also filters out toxins. Once damagd, liver functions may decline rapidly with contined abuse. The more impaired it is, the worse the liver functions. The blood is bad bc it's polluted with toxins the liver can't handle. The may take decades of alcohol abuse to cause liver failure. But bear in mind that many drugs are metabolized by the liver and add to alcohol damage.

 

[phactor]

It takes a long time and lots of drinking to damage your organs (sadly I have a relative who has and still won't quit, its not good) but I doubt they take your blood if you are drinking. Do you drink all day or only at nights? If you drink only at nights than try to take it easy and donate later in the afternoon the next day. Better yet try to stay sober for a few days if you can.