Blackout Drunk: Signs, Effects, and How to Stop It
In This Article
What are Alcohol Blackouts? Signs & Symptoms
The term blackout refers to an instance of short-term memory loss when intoxicated. Too much alcohol can temporarily inhibit the brain’s transfer of memories from short- to long-term storage. This is known as memory consolidation.
Blackouts are not the same as passing out. Someone who is blackout drunk may still be able to do complex tasks like holding conversations and spending money. This can make it difficult to identify if you or someone you know is blacking out.
Is it Bad to Blackout From Drinking?
While memory blackouts from drinking can happen to anyone, it is dangerous. Blackouts occur because of impaired cognitive abilities, which can lead to:
- Impulsive behavior
- Risky or unsafe behaviors
- Poor decision making
- Self-injury
- Harming others
- Alcohol poisoning
- Death from injury
Short-Term Effects of Blacking Out
In the short-term, drinking enough to blackout means the brain is not making memories or storing them. Instead, it’s significantly impaired. This can cause the person to act impulsively and make bad decisions.
Long-Term Effects of Blacking Out
Blacking out damages the brain’s frontal lobe, which controls cognitive function.
Chronically blacking out is associated with problems to the:
- Brain
- Liver
- Heart
- Pancreas
What Are The Signs of A Blackout?
Potential signs of a blackout include:
- Dizziness
- Trouble balancing or walking
- Headache
- Forgetfulness
- Muscle twitches or spasms
- Distractibility
- Blurry vision
- Impaired speech
People who are blackout drunk are often not in control of their behavior. Their impaired state of mind puts them at higher risk of compulsive behavior, physical injury, alcohol poisoning, and death.
Types of Blackouts
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), there are two types of alcohol-induced blackouts. These are defined by the severity of the alcohol consumer’s memory impairment.
1. Fragmentary Blackout
This is the most common type of blackout, sometimes called a “grayout” or “brownout.” It refers to a spotty recollection of events with “islands” of memories. Typically, a person with a fragmentary blackout can remember some things but miss entire events.
2. Complete Amnesia
Also known as an “en bloc” blackout, this refers to a total blackout that usually spans hours. When this happens, memories do not form or store, so they can’t necessarily be recovered. A person with a total blackout feels like the events that occurred while intoxicated never occurred.
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How to Stop Blacking Out When Drinking
To stop blacking out when drinking, it’s best to keep the BAC level low. Because blacking out tends to occur at 0.16 percent, be conscious of how much you drink and how quickly you drink it.
Moderate alcohol consumption is defined as one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men.
Other tips to follow include:
- Eat and hydrate before, during, and after drinking
- Be cautious of drinking if you’re on sleep or anxiety medication
- Refrain from binge drinking
- Sip or “nurse” your drink rather than “downing” it quickly
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Treatment Options for Alcohol Misuse & Addiction
Addiction treatment programs for alcoholism can take various forms. Approaches depend on the person and may include:
- Inpatient or outpatient rehab to undergo professional medical detoxification and medication-assisted treatment (MAT), if necessary.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to address any underlying disorders behind drug and alcohol use, such as depression and bipolar disorder.
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), a popular option for those who prefer mutual support groups.
If you or someone you know is blacking out often or struggling with alcohol abuse, reach out for professional help. You don’t have to navigate this journey alone.
Who is at Higher Risk for Alcohol Blackouts?
Blackouts can happen to anyone who drinks too much, regardless of age or experience drinking. Some people, however, are at higher risk than others.
College students also binge drink at a higher rate than the general population. Binge drinking is drinking for the purpose of getting drunk.
Women are another group at higher risk for blackouts. Reasons include their brains being more sensitive to alcohol and their higher levels of fat, which leads to higher blood alcohol levels.7
Other groups at increased risk for blackouts include:
- Adolescents
- Those who take anti-anxiety and sleep medications
- Anyone unable to manage stress effectively
- Those with a family history of alcohol abuse
- People with a history of trauma
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Why Do Alcohol Blackouts Happen?
Alcohol blackouts happen when a person consumes large amounts of alcohol and their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) reaches at least 0.16 percent. This is almost twice the legal driving limit, severely impairing:
- Impulse control
- Attention span
- Judgment
Blackouts occur most often when the BAC level rises rapidly. If a person drinks on an empty stomach or quickly consumes a lot of alcohol, their BAC level could increase faster than usual.
Heavy drinking, binge drinking, and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are linked to more frequent blackouts. People may also experience blackouts at a much lower blood alcohol level. This is especially true for those who take sleep or anti-anxiety medications while drinking.
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- “Alcohol Overdose What Should You Do?,” Alcohol Poisoning – What to Do.
- “Alcohol Questions and Answers,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 15 Jan. 2020.
- “Interrupted Memories: Alcohol-Induced Blackouts,” National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
- Marino, Elise N., and Kim Fromme. “Alcohol-Induced Blackouts and Maternal Family History of Problematic Alcohol Use,” Addictive Behaviors, Pergamon, 13 Feb. 2015.
- “Signs of Alcohol Intoxication.” Ada, ada.com/conditions/alcohol-intoxication/.
- Wetherill, Reagan R, and Kim Fromme. “Alcohol-Induced Blackouts: A Review of Recent Clinical Research with Practical Implications and Recommendations for Future Studies,” Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research, U.S. National Library of Medicine, May 2016.
- Paton, Alex. “Alcohol in the body.” BMJ (Clinical research ed.) vol. 330,7482 : 85-7. doi:10.1136/bmj.330.7482.85
