When you consume alcohol, it affects your body and brain in numerous ways, and consuming it in excess can lead to a state known as a blackout. Blackouts are amnesic episodes during which you are awake and functioning but have no memory of what occurred.

Blackouts can be significantly dangerous for several reasons, most especially because of memory loss and the inability to control your actions. 

This not only can cause severe problems at the moment, but it also may have detrimental long-term effects for those who find themselves blacking out often. 

How does blacking out work?

Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant known for slowing down and even inhibiting cognitive and motor functions. When you consume alcohol, it enters your bloodstream through the stomach and small intestine and then travels to various organs, including the brain. 

The liver metabolizes alcohol, but it can only process a certain amount per hour. When you drink more quickly than your liver can metabolize, your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) rises.

Alcohol affects neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate. GABA has an inhibitory effect on the brain, which, when heightened by alcohol, stimulates sedation and relaxation. 

On the other hand, alcohol suppresses glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter, causing slowed brain activity and impaired cognitive function.

When BAC reaches a critical level, typically around 0.16 percent or higher, the hippocampus—the part of the brain responsible for forming new memories—barely functions properly. This impairment disrupts transferring information from short-term to long-term memory, resulting in a blackout. 

During a blackout, you may still be able to carry on conversations, perform tasks and do certain activities, but you will have little to no recollection of these events later.

Short-term effects of drinking until a blackout 

Immediately following a blackout, you may experience a range of short-term effects, including:

• Memory loss — Blackouts are characterized by the inability to recall events that occurred while intoxicated. This can range from fragmented memories to complete amnesia for several hours
• Impaired judgment — During a blackout, your decision-making abilities are severely compromised, making you more likely to engage in risky behaviors
• Loss of coordination — High levels of alcohol impair motor functions, leading to difficulties with balance and coordination, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries
• Speech impediments — Slurred speech is common during a blackout, as the central nervous system cannot adequately control the muscles involved in speaking

Because of the loss of cohesive functions that occur when blacking out, it can become hazardous, as seen above. Violent behavior, risky promiscuity and fatal motor vehicle accidents can and do happen when one tries to function through a blackout. 

Long-term effects of blackout drinking 

While the immediate consequences of a blackout can be alarming, the long-term effects of frequent blackouts raise even more concern. Chronic heavy drinking can lead to ongoing mental and physical health issues. 

Brain Damage 

Repeated blackouts can cause long-term damage to the brain, particularly the hippocampus, leading to memory problems that extend way past a blackout, as well as impairments in learning and cognition. 

Chronic alcohol abuse can also result in a condition known as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, “a brain and memory disorder that … happens due to a severe lack of thiamine (vitamin B1), which causes damage to your brain.” It is characterized by confusion, lack of coordination and persistent memory issues.

Liver disease

The liver is responsible for metabolizing alcohol, but excessive drinking can overwhelm and damage it permanently. Chronic heavy drinking can lead to liver diseases, including fatty liver, hepatitis, and cirrhosis.

Cardiovascular problems 

Long-term alcohol abuse is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular problems like high blood pressure, cardiomyopathy (a disease of the heart muscle) and increased risk of stroke.

Mental health conditions

There is a strong link between chronic heavy drinking and mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. The interplay between alcohol use and mental health can create a vicious cycle where individuals drink to cope with mental health issues, which, in turn, are exacerbated by alcohol use. 

Addiction treatment and mental health counseling are often required to help address this vicious loop. 

Addiction

Frequent blackouts can be a sign of alcohol use disorder (AUD), a chronic disease characterized by the inability to control or stop drinking despite the consequences. 

AUD can devastate an individual’s personal and professional life, and overcoming it often requires significant effort and support. 

Prevention and treatment 

Preventing blackouts begins with responsible drinking practices. Strategies for reducing the risk of blackouts include:

• Pacing yourself— Drinking slowly and spacing out alcoholic beverages with non-alcoholic drinks can help keep your BAC at a safer level
• Avoiding drinking on an empty stomach — Consuming food can slow the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream, reducing the likelihood of a rapid spike in BAC
• Setting limits — Establishing a limit on the number of drinks you consume can help prevent excessive drinking
• Finding an accountability partner — Having someone who helps remind you of your set limits and only drinks that much can offer a valuable level of support
• Knowing when you need to stop — Paying attention to your body’s tolerance to alcohol and recognizing the signs that you need to stop drinking can prevent overconsumption

Additionally, suppose you feel like your likelihood of over-drinking is out of hand and a habit of blacking out is forming. In that case, it may be time to consider additional treatment options. 

Mental health counseling services, as well as addiction treatment programs, can help you overcome unhealthy habits and learn new coping mechanisms to get you back to healthy, balanced living. 

Are you seeking recovery?

If you or a loved one need alcohol addiction treatment, reach out to Silver Ridge Recovery by calling 855-945-7788 or fill out an online contact form to get in touch with a counselor today.