Blackouts 

For people who drink too much alcohol too quickly, blackouts can occur. And when it happens, it’s interesting because of the way our society views it – in some ways, it’s terrifying, while others find it to be quite hilarious.

Drinking too much and too fast can cause blackouts, and they’re incredibly common – especially since our culture condones so much drinking. If blackouts are occurring frequently in a person’s life, this could be a strong sign that they’re struggling with alcoholism or an alcohol use disorder (AUD) – but all too often, people don’t even realize they’re battling this because it’s viewed as a normal thing. As a person’s blood-alcohol level increases, the rate, and length of a person’s memory loss will also increase – and that’s why individuals often find themselves trying to piece together their night the morning after.

The ”day after” or the “morning-after” are often situations filled with humiliating details, but the aftermath effects are serious; along with not remembering what a person is doing while experiencing a blackout, a person may also experience vision problems, impaired judgment, troubles standing, walking and more. For people who have a good idea of the serious effects that can occur from alcoholism, recovery is about understanding not only the harmful effects that these behaviors can cause to our body and to those around us, but also getting a clearer idea of how alcohol affects us in these instances.

Previous reports have explained that blackouts a condition where the ability to form new memories is, temporarily, impaired. It makes sense, then, why people have such difficulties understanding what they did the night they blacket out – because alcohol took over.

Researchers are still trying to discover exactly how blackouts occur – the hippocampus, a part of the brain that is responsible for making and storing memories, is obviously involved; in addition to this, previous research has shown that blackouts can vary in experience depending on who the person is, as well as their gender, weight, age, etc. Further investigations are exploring the types of blackouts that occur depending on not only the person but on the alcohol consumed – altogether, however, it’s very clear to see that people who blackout do face serious consequences – even if for a brief period of time.

It’s not uncommon for people who blackout to want to try and put together the previous night’s events afterward, and with friends. Unfortunately, the information that’s talked about it’s always accurate because they’re often based on another’s person’s memory of the events – which could easily lead to false memories and false representations of what actually happened when alcohol was involved. In these instances, the circumstances could become extremely dangerous – especially if moments of crime, sexual assault, vandalism, and other related activities were present under the influence of alcohol.

Studies report that men are more likely to experience blackouts than women – but with less stringent concerns about drinking, both groups of people are significantly at risk for blackouts. There are a number of health concerns that come with excessive drinking, such as missing work or school, getting behind in grades, finding out that a person said or did something that they wish didn’t happen, arguing with loved ones, overdose, hangovers, increased chances of having an accident, greater risks of getting involved in criminal activity and more.

 When blackouts occur, we’re more likely to put ourselves into risky situations because we’ve lost the capabilities to think clearly and critically about decisions that we’re making.

What we come to find is that people who’ve had blackouts tend to have false ideas about what really happened – and, in some cases, people admit to having followed through with a particular crime when indeed they were really innocent, all because they were under the influence of alcohol and can’t really remember what happened.  

In instances such as these, the false representations that we may come to believe – because we don’t have any other evidence telling us otherwise – can place us at great risk legally, in addition to the risks that come to our health.  

A one-time occurrence may not be a significant sign that help needs to be sought, but if blackouts are occurring often, or if a person is beginning to favor drinking over hobbies, work, family responsibilities and more, help needs to be sought. Blackouts can become a major sign of alcoholism if they occur often – but seeking help early on can help a person develop the tools they need to move forward in their life.

Avalon Malibu focuses on the whole person, and with a personalized treatment plan and a support system, you’ll be well on your way towards healing and rejuvenation. If you’re ready to begin your journey to recovery, speak with a professional from Avalon Malibu today. 

Avalon Malibu is a world-renowned, California state-licensed mental health and substance abuse recovery center. If you are ready to seek treatment to develop the tools you need to overcome life’s obstacles and be on the road towards happiness, health, and well-being, call us today at 844-857-5992 for a consultation. It’s never too late, and there are people here ready to help you.