What Are Some Signs of Alcohol Blackouts?
Alcoholism is a serious condition that can affect anyone, regardless of how old or young a person may be. Alcohol abuse can devastate a person’s life and affect family members and friends. They can lose employment and their health can begin to deteriorate over time. There are several signs of alcoholism that you can use to determine if you or someone else has an alcohol problem.
One of the most serious symptoms of alcoholism is called a blackout. When someone has a blackout from drinking alcohol, they put themselves in a vulnerable position. Their defenses are lowered and they are unaware of the consequences of their actions. Some of the signs of a blackout are engaging in risky sexual behavior, losing the ability to drive, and making poor decisions.
When you drink too much in a brief period, the chances of having a blackout increase. The more you consume alcohol in one sitting makes you more prone to drinking to excess and harming yourself. In some cases, people can harm some else as well. It is recommended to eat a full meal before you drink and remain hydrated when you are drinking alcohol. Due to the fact that blackouts can be dangerous, it’s important to know how to tell if someone is blackout drunk.
What Happens During a Black Out?
During a blackout, your brain loses its ability to make decisions and maintain memories. This can be a dangerous situation because you are still able to walk and talk, but your mind is not coherent. Blackouts inhibit your brain’s ability to remember your behavior when you are out drinking heavily. Sometimes people can recall events but only if someone reminds them.
The night after a blackout can be embarrassing when you have acted out and learned about your conduct. If you behaved poorly, you can feel humiliated the next day. Knowing this may cause you to have anxiety and become worried about your drinking. This is why it’s important to know how to tell if someone is blackout drunk. When you are unable to remember what you do when you are drinking, it can be stressful and problematic. You need to realize that you are putting yourself at risk and in an unsafe situation.
Possible Risks of Black Outs
Many different risks and events can occur during an alcohol blackout. Some people wake up from blackouts in bed with a stranger partner. This can cause you concern about catching a venereal disease which in some cases can be life-threatening. In a blackout, irresponsible sexual activity can lead to unwanted pregnancy and diseases such as HIV, Herpes, Chlamydia, and many others. You also put yourself at risk for being raped and partaking in life-threatening situations. This can create problematic situations that can have life-long effects on a person. Knowing how to tell if someone is blackout drunk can make all the difference.
Drinking heavily and blacking out can make you susceptible to becoming involved in vandalism and getting into verbal and physical altercations. There is a considerable risk of you hurting yourself physically or injuring other people. Under the influence of alcohol, people are much more likely to commit suicide as well. Many injuries and deaths can end up occuring while someone is blacking out. One of the most problematic actions while under the influence of alcohol is driving; individuals can black out on the road, leading to fatal or life-altering accidents.
Since alcohol directly affects the brain, scientists have conducted studies and found that some people are more likely to black out than others. Women are more prone to blacking out than men and have a lower tolerance to alcohol. A man can drink more than a woman because of differences in metabolism, body size, and weight.
How to Tell if Someone is Blackout Drunk
It’s crucial to know how to tell if someone is blackout drunk – for this could save someone’s life, even your own. If you are with someone experiencing a blackout they will appear totally unaware; however, there are signs that will let you know about their condition. It’s important to take the right precautions and get help if needed. It’s important to help those who are experiencing an alcohol blackout. To avoid harming themselves and those around them be sure to get help if needed. Common signs of how to tell if someone is blackout drunk include:
- The individual is easily distracted.
- They do not care about the feelings of others and become disrespectful and rude.
- When out drinking, they lose their train of thought and ramble off the topic of the conversation.
- They are getting into arguments with people and beginning to participate in risky behavior.
- The person is engaging in activities or behavior they wouldn’t partake in if they were sober.
- They consumed large amounts of alcohol in a short time without eating or drinking water at all.
- They are unable to concentrate and repeat what they are saying over and over during the conversation.
A blackout is serious and a sign that you are drinking too much alcohol. A black out means the person is putting their health at risk. You can become ill and hurt yourself or someone else during a blackout. Drinking alcohol in excess can cause brain damage and harm other organs in your body. If you or someone you know is drinking and blacking out frequently, it may be time to get professional help, please do not wait to get help at Coastal Detox in Stuart, Florida.
Are Blackout Drinkers Considered Alcoholics?
If you are drinking alcohol and blacking out, you may have a problem and need help. One of the signs of alcoholism does include blacking out on a regular basis and forgetting what happened when you are drinking. There are other signs of alcoholism such as lying about how much you drink and hiding it from others. Having the compulsion to drink and not being able to stop once you started is another sign.
While blackout drinkers may not be considered alcoholics, it may still be in the cards if it is a constant occurrence. It’s important to know the effects of an alcohol black out as well as how to tell if someone is blackout drunk. Don’t wait until it is too late to get the help you or your loved one needs.
The Short and Long-Term Effects of Black Outs?
Blacking out can create many different problems for a person in the short and long-term. Many people don’t realize how detrimental heavy drinking on a frequent basis can be. Blacking out negatively impairs a person’s inhibitions and overall thought processes. They may act in a risky fashion while putting themselves and others in harm. Always make sure you know how to tell if someone is blackout drunk. Short-term effects can include any of the following:
- Depression
- Physical injury
- Traumatizing encounters
- Financial or legal problems
- Sexually transmitted disease or infection
- Criminal or illegal activity when blacked out
- Behavior or incidents you will regret in the morning
The long-term effects of blacking out constantly typically revolves around memory loss. Those who drink excessively can end up experiencing more black outs as time goes on. Additionally, those who drink constantly and excessively will experience more memory loss. This may escalate so much that it is tough to remember recent events.
Alcohol Use Disorder and Blackouts
Alcohol use disorder is a common condition that involves someone losing control of their drinking. Those who experience blackouts usually binge drink. If someone experiences a blackout, this doesn’t necessarily mean that they have an alcohol use disorder. However, if a person drinks frequently and heavily, this can be a big indicator of alcohol use disorder. Alcohol use disorder usually comes about after a person builds up a tolerance to alcohol.
Tolerance occurs when a person must drink more in order to reach the desired effects of alcohol. By binge drinking to the point of blacking out, a person opens themselves up to more risks and problems down the line. This can end up leading to severe effects such as alcohol poisoning and sometimes even death.
Blackouts are a common symptom of alcohol use disorder. Other common signs of alcohol use disorder include some the following:
- Cravings or urges to drink
- Drinking in isolation
- Withdrawal symptoms when not drinking
- Trouble at school, home, and work
- Lying about alcohol use
- Drinking excessively on a frequent basis
- Stomach issues (as well as kidney disease, weight loss, weight gain etc.)
Not only is it important to know how to tell if someone is blackout drunk but it’s also crucial to know the signs of a much bigger issue. If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol abuse and excessive binge drinking it may be time to get professional help.
Break Free of Alcohol Abuse at Coastal Detox
Now that you know how to tell if someone is blackout drunk, it’s time to talk about getting treatment. At Coastal Detox we provide quality service and support throughout the whole journey. Drug and alcohol addiction can be crippling for everyone involved. So, don’t wait any longer to get help. Contact us today to start your journey towards recovery today!