Alcohol abuse is found in many people presenting with severe hypothermia. It is also a leading cause for hypothermia-related deaths/
Effects of alcohol on body temperature favoring hypothermia:
(1) central thermoregulatory dysfunction, with impaired response to heat or cold (poikilothermic)
(2) impaired perception of cold
(3) peripheral vasodilation
(4) reduced shivering
Factors that may contribute to hypothermia:
(1) greater degree of intoxication
(2) greater severity of the cold
(3) has taken sedatives or other CNS depressants
(4) presence of comorbid conditions
(5) lack of cold acclimation
(6) reduced amount of clothing and/or large amount of exposed skin
(7) a period of unconsciousness
