Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is a critical measure of the amount of alcohol present in an individual’s bloodstream, expressed as a percentage. When discussing alcohol-induced blackouts, BAC levels typically exceeding 0.16% are a significant factor. At this level, the brain’s ability to form new memories is severely impaired, leading to a condition known as an alcohol-induced blackout.

Blackouts and Your Brain: How To Avoid Memory Loss

Alcohol-induced blackouts are characterized by an inability to recall events that occurred while intoxicated. But sometimes, alcohol-related blackouts auditory or visual cues can help a person piece together memories of what happened during a blackout. These cues could come in the form of texts, pictures or conversations with people who were present while you were blacked out. The most obvious factor that contributes to alcohol-related amnesia is the amount of alcohol consumed.

Regardless of age, recent studies show more frequent blackout experiences are related to an increase in memory lapse and cognitive difficulties even after alcohol misuse is corrected. This means that even after a blackout occurs, you can continue to experience memory loss and other difficulties recalling memories. Alcohol blackouts are more than just a hazy memory or a “wild night” story—they are a serious indication of excessive drinking and its impact on brain function. Understanding the science behind alcohol-induced blackouts can empower individuals to make healthier choices and, when necessary, seek addiction recovery. Another complicating factor for research on blackouts is the potentialuse of other drugs (illicit or prescription) that might also contribute tomemory loss. Although several research studies statistically control for orexclude individuals who report co-occurring illicit drug use, research clearlyindicates that some individuals who report blackouts also report other drug use(Baldwin et al., 2011; Haas et al., 2015).

Background

• How much alcohol or substance use is needed to cause a blackout varies based on a person’s height, weight, sensitivity and sex.
• Rapid consumption, genetic predispositions, lower body weight, and drinking on an empty stomach all contribute to elevated BAC levels, which impair memory formation.
• According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), there are two types of alcohol-induced blackouts.
• This is similar to the factthat one cannot know whether another person has a headache; the experience ishappening inside that person’s brain, with no clear observable indices.
• In summary, blackouts from alcohol are influenced by a combination of factors, including drinking speed, genetics, body weight, and lack of food intake.
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Our multidisciplinary team of experts has a proven record of helping people with alcohol use disorders succeed in recovery. A good rule of thumb is to have no more than one standard drink per hour and to drink water in between alcoholic beverages. In the short-term, drinking enough to blackout means the brain is not making memories or storing them. Consultation with healthcare providers is essential for individuals who have experienced blackouts. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), even a single blackout episode warrants medical attention and could prompt a reassessment of one’s relationship with alcohol. A blackout ends when your body has absorbed the alcohol you consumed and your brain is able to make memories again.

Understanding the types of blackouts can empower individuals to make informed decisions about alcohol consumption and seek intervention if they or someone they know is experiencing these episodes regularly. Addressing the underlying causes of blackouts, such as binge drinking or alcohol dependency, is critical for preventing long-term cognitive damage and improving overall well-being. It is crucial for individuals who experience blackouts to reevaluate their drinking habits and consider seeking advice from healthcare professionals.

Surprisingly,30% of the adolescents reported experiencing an alcohol-induced blackoutat the age of 15, which increased to 74% at age 19. It’s important to note that individuals experiencing a blackout are not unconscious; they appear awake and functional, which can be misleading. They may carry on conversations, drive, or make decisions, but these actions are not being stored in memory.

Finding Treatment for Alcohol Addiction

Intrinsic factors like genetics, weight and nourishment play a role, as do extrinsic factors like alcohol tolerance, the presence of other drugs and exercise frequency. Surround yourself with friends and trusted individuals who will hold you accountable. A blackout is not the same as “passing out,” which means either falling asleep or losing consciousness from drinking too much. If you think you’ve been injured, sexually or physically assaulted, it’s important that you get medical attention immediately and talk to the police about everything you can remember. While it’s important to understand the science, it’s vital to address prevention strategies to safeguard your health and well-being. If you or someone you know is blacking out often or struggling with alcohol abuse, reach out for professional help.

For example, information might be obtained from aresearch observer, posing as a confederate, who is not drinking but is presentat the drinking event. Also, because short-term memory remains intact, use ofecological momentary assessment with smart phones might also be useful forgathering information about the drinker’s experiences while he or she isin a blackout state. Subsequent interviews could then determine what aspects ofthose events were remembered and whether they were remembered in the same waythat they were reported during the drinking event. Alcohol blackouts are caused by high levels of alcohol in the bloodstream, which interfere with the brain’s ability to transfer short-term memories into long-term storage.

• Memory impairment during an alcohol blackout specifically refers to the inability to form new memories while intoxicated, not the erasure of existing ones.
• This spike in BAC can impair the brain’s ability to form new memories, resulting in a blackout.
• As a result, lighter individuals are at greater risk of blackouts if they consume alcohol at the same rate as someone heavier.
• Unlike en bloc blackouts, some memory formation is possible, but it remains impaired.
• The occurrence of blackouts should be taken seriously as they may signal problematic drinking habits and increase the risk of injury and negative social consequences.
• Outpatient treatment is best for mild alcohol addictions, and it allows patients to attend doctor and therapy visits while still living at home.

If you’re experiencing a blackout or brownout, you’re at higher risk for falling, injury and unwanted or unsafe sexual experiences. A person who is blacked out may also throw up while sleeping, which could lead to an increased risk of choking or suffocating. Psychiatrist and addiction specialist David Streem, MD, discusses how alcohol and substance use aren’t the only pathways to memory loss and shares what’s really happening when you’re blacked out. The Recovery Village Ridgefield is equipped to address every stage of alcohol recovery.

Mental Health

BrACs of 20g/dl and above are typically required to induce a blackout, thereby limiting theability to safely dose research participants to the point of blackout. Finally,given the growing literature on alcohol-induced memory impairments andblackouts, a standardized assessment for alcohol-induced blackouts is sorelyneeded. Most of the existing research on alcohol-induced blackouts either uses asingle item from the Rutgers Alcohol Problem Index or the investigator’sown description/definition of an alcohol-induced blackout. Optimally, actual BrACs orblood draws could be collected to back-extrapolate peak BACs to the time ofblackout. This information will enable researchers to statistically control forthe direct effects of alcohol consumption and examine factors that influencealcohol-induced blackouts over and beyond the amount of alcohol consumed.

Behavioral genetic research suggests that there is a heritablecomponent to experiencing alcohol-induced blackouts (Luczak et al., 2006; Nelson et al., 2004; Slutske et al., 1999). Two recent studiesexplored genetic influences by examining the potential effects of familyhistory of alcohol problems on blackout occurrence (LaBrie et al., 2011; Marino and Fromme, 2015). In a study of 2,546college students, LaBrie and colleagues(2011) found that a family history of alcohol problems increasedthe likelihood of blacking out.

The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper provides a full continuum of care, from medical detox and inpatient rehab to aftercare. We are here to help you and those you love recover from addiction and begin a healthier, alcohol-free future. Contact us to learn more about alcohol addiction treatment programs that can work well for your needs in recovery.

These findings contradictJellinek’s theory of alcoholism, which posits that alcohol-inducedblackouts are a precursor of alcoholism (Jellinek, 1952). Fifteenstudies examined prevalence and/or predictors of alcohol-induced blackouts.Six publications described consequences of alcohol-induced blackouts, andfive studies explored potential cognitive and neurobiological mechanismsunderlying alcohol-induced blackouts. 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.

Health Risks – Potential brain damage, accidents, and increased risk of alcohol dependence

Despite the increase in research on and our understanding ofalcohol-induced blackouts, additional rigorous research is still needed. Studiesexamining potential genetic and environmental influences, as well as theirinteractions, are clearly warranted given recent research findings of Marino and Fromme (2015). In summary, blackouts from alcohol are influenced by a combination of factors, including drinking speed, genetics, body weight, and lack of food intake. Rapid consumption, genetic predispositions, lower body weight, and drinking on an empty stomach all contribute to elevated BAC levels, which impair memory formation. Awareness of these risk factors and adopting strategies such as pacing alcohol consumption, understanding genetic risks, considering body weight, and eating before drinking can help mitigate the danger of alcohol-induced blackouts.