Experiencing “lost time” after a night of drinking is often portrayed in pop culture as a sign of an epic party. The reality is much more sinister. Memory loss related to alcohol consumption can be an indicator of serious substance abuse issues.
What Is a Blackout?
The term blackout refers to the memory loss that sometimes accompanies alcohol consumption. Blackouts can be either temporary or permanent. Someone with a temporary blackout may later remember what happened with visual or verbal cues from others, but a permanent blackout means that memories are unlikely to be recovered.
Someone who experiences a blackout typically has a BAC of 0.15 or higher—which is high enough that alcohol poisoning is considered a real risk. (Remember, 0.08 BAC is considered legally drunk.) However, age, weight, gender, time of last meal, speed of drinking, and type of alcohol consumed can all affect how a person’s body processes alcohol.
Some researchers suggest that using opioids, benzodiazepines, or marijuana with alcohol increases the risk of blackouts. There is also evidence that certain individuals have a genetic predisposition to blackouts while drinking due to differences in how their bodies process alcohol.
A blackout won’t end until a person’s body has processed the alcohol they’ve consumed, and they are able to once again form new memories in the brain. If someone continues drinking while experiencing a blackout, they could be unable to form memories for hours or even days.
What Are the Signs of a Blackout?
It’s not easy for a casual observer to tell when someone is experiencing an alcohol-related blackout because the person will still be awake and interacting with others. Here are some signs and characteristics associated with a blackout:
- Sudden Onset: Blackouts typically occur suddenly and without warning. The individual may be unable to recall events leading up to the blackout.
- Temporary Memory Loss: The main feature of a blackout is a temporary and complete loss of the ability to form new memories. The person may have difficulty recalling information for a specific period, usually a few hours.
- Repetitive Questions: Individuals experiencing a blackout may ask the same questions repeatedly due to their inability to retain new information.
- Normal Consciousness: Despite the memory loss, people in a blackout state usually remain conscious and aware. They can carry on conversations, perform routine tasks, and interact with their environment.
- Retrograde Amnesia: Blackouts often involve retrograde amnesia, where the person cannot remember events that occurred before the onset of the blackout.
- Duration: Blackouts are typically of short duration, ranging from a few minutes to several hours. The memory loss is temporary, and affected individuals usually recover full cognitive function afterward.
- Trigger Events: Some blackouts may be associated with specific trigger events, such as emotional stress, physical exertion, or exposure to extreme temperatures.
Even the spouses of individuals with severe drinking problems often report that they are unable to tell their partner is experiencing a blackout until they discover the memory lapse as they are discussing events the next day.
Why Are Blackouts Dangerous?
Blackouts are dangerous because they cause injury to the frontal lobe of the brain. Over time, this can lead to changes in personality, mood, and behavior even when a person is sober.
Blackouts also increase the risk of negative behavior, such as:
- Risky Activities: Impaired judgment and memory loss can lead to engaging in risky activities, such as unprotected sex, substance abuse, or reckless driving.
- Confusion and Disorientation: During a blackout, individuals may become confused and disoriented, leading to behaviors that might be out of character or socially inappropriate.
- Agitation or Frustration: Frustration may arise from the inability to remember recent events or understand the current situation. This frustration could lead to agitated or aggressive behavior.
- Repetition of Questions or Actions: Due to the inability to form new memories, individuals may repetitively ask the same questions or perform the same actions, causing frustration for both themselves and those around them.
- Social Isolation: The experience of blackouts may lead to social withdrawal as individuals may become apprehensive about interacting with others due to fear of embarrassment or misunderstanding.
- Depression and Anxiety: The psychological impact of blackouts, along with the uncertainty of not remembering recent events, can contribute to feelings of depression and anxiety.
- Impact on Relationships: Blackouts can strain relationships, as friends, family, and colleagues may find it challenging to understand or cope with the unpredictable nature of memory loss.
- Work or Academic Issues: Memory loss can affect performance at work or school, leading to difficulties in completing tasks, meeting deadlines, or retaining information.
Do Blackouts Indicate a Drinking Problem?
It is hard to say with certainty that someone has a drinking problem based on one factor alone. For example, a blackout that a teenager experiences after experimenting with alcohol at a party could be a one-time case of poor judgment. However, any drinking that progresses to the level where someone is unable to remember the events that have occurred is definitely a cause for concern.
Other signs that suggest an evaluation for a substance use disorder is needed include:
- Ignoring other responsibilities in order to spend more time drinking
- Declining performance at school or work
- Drinking alone or in secret
- Lying to friends and family about the amount of alcohol consumed
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when alcohol consumption stops
- Mixing alcohol with other drugs
- Being unable to self-regulate alcohol consumption
- Having financial problems due to the amount of money spent on alcohol
- Believing that drinking is the only way to feel “normal”
If you are worried about a loved one’s alcohol consumption, do not push your concerns aside. Addressing the issue without shame or judgment can open the door to better understanding. Addiction is a progressive illness, so someone who is in the early stages of alcoholism will not get better without treatment.
How Can Twin Lakes Recovery Center Help?
At Twin Lakes Recovery Center, we believe that recovery is possible for anyone who is ready to change their life for the better. Our Georgia alcohol and drug addiction treatment center uses a holistic approach to heal the body, mind, and spirit. We encourage clients to use group, individual, and family counseling in conjunction with lifestyle coaching, spiritual direction, and holistic detox to address the underlying causes of addiction as well as any other issues that negatively impact their quality of life. Relapse prevention and aftercare services provide continued support long after residential treatment is completed, thus easing the transition back to independent living.
