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What Causes Blackouts When Drinking?

Television sitcoms and movies have long portrayed excessive drinking in a joking manner. The star character emerges from a stupor after a night of drinking, only to find he can't remember what took place or how he got in a pile of rubble in a back alley. Audiences find it entertaining as is evident in the opener of Hangover Part II. Movieweb reports the movie grossed $200 million at the box office during its 2011 Memorial Day weekend. The truth is; blackouts are not funny; they are dangerous. Blackouts are also an indicator of alcoholism, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

  1. What are Blackouts?

    • Alcohol consumption can cause "amnesia," known as blackouts. The brain becomes impaired in producing new memories while a person is intoxicated. It does not eliminate memories prior to intoxication. The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports that blackouts are more likely to take place when a person becomes intoxicated quickly and the blood alcohol rises to high levels. A quick rise in the body's blood alcohol level seems to be the best indicator for blackouts. Subjects that consume alcohol over a longer period of time avoid blackouts.

    Behavior During Blackouts

    • Intoxication leads to risky behavior that can result in injury and death. An example of impaired judgment is driving an automobile. Other activities that have lead to death during blackouts are swimming, jumping from bridges, consuming drugs, suicide and crime. A report by the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, 2004, shows a correlation between blackouts and crime. The most common factor during a blackout and committing a crime, is the blood alcohol level, which must be high in order to cause a legitimate blackout. Blood alcohol high enough to cause a blackout is 250mg/100mL.

    Who's Involved?

    • The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports a trend that shows social drinkers, especially younger people, are involved in binge drinking that leads to quick intoxication and blackouts. It was reported that blackouts were associated with only alcoholics in the past, but this new trend brings to light the dangers of occasional, excessive drinking.

    Dangers

    • Blackouts are memory loss, not unconsciousness; however, high alcohol levels can cause a person to loose consciousness. During states of unconsciousness, reflux of stomach content can occur causing the person to inhale the substance. This can lead to pneumonia and even suffocation or death. Another danger associated with binge drinking and blackouts, is alcohol poisoning. Signs of the condition include confusion, seizures, slow or irregular breathing, vomiting, low body temperature, pale or blue skin coloring. Never walk away from a person in this condition. Seek medical attention immediately.

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