Recovery from drug-induced alpha coma

A 41-year-old man in deep coma after drug overdosage showed electroencephalographic activity of alpha frequency. He remained comatose for 20 hours, and assisted ventilation was required for 28 hours, but he eventually recovered. Alpha coma has generally been considered to have grave prognostic implications, but acute drug intoxication is an exception to this rule. Intensive supportive therapy is important.