'I'm a rehab doctor and here's what getting blackout drunk can do to your body'
Many Brits enjoy an alcoholic tipple after a stressful week at work, but as the drinks start flowing, so do the chances of you getting ‘blackout drunk’.
The term ‘blackout drunk’ describes the gaps in a person’s memory for events that took place while they were under the influence of alcohol.
Dr Catherine Carney from Private Rehab Clinic, Delamere, has warned Brits that the concerning side effect could be a sign of alcohol addiction or dependency. She said: “It’s not uncommon for people to wake up the morning after a night of heavy drinking to have no recollection of the events that took place the previous evening.
“This is often referred to as being ‘blackout drunk’ and despite how common it may be amongst social drinkers, it can in fact be a sign of alcohol addiction or dependency.”
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Alcohol-related blackouts can cause people to engage in dangerous behaviours (Getty Images)The expert said that the number of units it takes for a person to reach a state of being ‘blacked out’ can vary from person to person, as some have a higher tolerance for alcohol, while others can become intoxicated more quickly. In most cases, blackouts occur when an individual consumes a large amount of alcohol in a short space of time.
“This intake of alcohol in such quick succession doesn’t allow the body enough time to process the substance out of its system, causing an overload of alcohol in the bloodstream,” explained Dr Carney.
She added: “Blackouts can also be caused by a high level of alcohol preventing your brain from transferring memories from short to long term.”
When someone is in a ‘blackout’ state, they will engage in common behaviours like walking, or even interacting with others, but will not remember doing so the following day. But this could suggest that a person has a problem with alcohol, warns Dr Carney.
She said: “If you frequently experience periods of memory loss when intoxicated, then it's important to reevaluate your relationship with alcohol and its potential impact on your mental and physical health.”
According to the drink expert, there is a difference between being ‘blackout drunk’ and ‘passing out’ - which happens when someone loses consciousness from consuming excessive amounts of alcohol.
However, it's not uncommon for an individual in a blackout state to pass out or lose consciousness, which is often a result of an alcohol overdose.
Dr Carney points out that alcohol-related blackouts can cause people to engage in dangerous behaviours, as they are not in control of their actions. This can include engaging in sexual activity that they otherwise wouldn’t consent to, getting behind a wheel while over the limit, or spending large amounts of money.
“This type of behaviour can not only impact your short-term health and well-being, but it can also have a catastrophic impact on your long-term health,” highlighted the doctor.
“Excessive use of alcohol and entering into this blackout state may lead to long-term cognitive and memory loss issues.”
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She said that an individual in a ‘blackout’ state will often appear completely normal to those around them.
“If you or someone you know may often experience blackouts, be vigilant of the signs of heavy intoxication, for instance, dizziness, headaches, impaired vision, and judgement and difficulty forming a conversation and walking,” Dr Carney said.
The expert says the best way to avoid these memory ‘glitches’ is to live an alcohol-free lifestyle. She has highlighted the main benefits of removing beverages from your diet.
What are the benefits of an alcohol-free lifestyle?
Improved sleep pattern
Alcohol is often used as a sleeping aid to help you drift off, but despite helping to relax you, drinking in excess can affect the quality and pattern of your sleep due to headaches, dehydration and the increased need to urinate.
When you give up or reduce your alcohol intake, you will often find that your quality of sleep will be better, without frequent interruptions. This in turn will mean you have more energy to spend on other activities instead of waking up feeling groggy after heavy drinking the night before.
Reduced blood pressure
Dr Carney explains that excessive drinking for long periods of time can increase your blood pressure to unhealthy levels, which can lead to health problems down the line.
“Cutting down or abstaining from alcohol for good will help lower your blood pressure to a much healthier level, and could even help reduce the risk of other health issues that are associated with high blood pressure and alcohol consumption, such as strokes, heart disease and chronic kidney disease,” she said.
Reduced levels of anxiety and depression
Alcohol is a deceiving depressant - while you may feel excited and relaxed during consumption, it can actually negatively affect your mental health.
This is because alcohol can interfere with chemicals in the brain that maintains good mental health, meaning that after drinking, you may experience feelings of depression and anxiety, sometimes referred to as “beer fear” or “hang-xiety”
But reducing or cutting out alcohol from your lifestyle, the chemicals in your brain will no longer be affected, meaning overall mental health can improve.
You may lose weight
One major issue that comes with drinking alcohol is the number of calories it contains. Drinks such as beer and wine are particularly calorific, meaning that you are more likely to gain weight by drinking them regularly.
By reducing the amount of alcohol you drink, or becoming fully sober, you may find you begin to lose weight, inevitably leading to added health benefits such as the reduction of high blood pressure.
Healthier looking skin
A minor benefit to cutting your alcohol intake is the look of your skin. Alcohol causes your body to become dehydrated more quickly, which can lead to dry and scaly skin when drunk in excess. Not only that, but the consumption of sugary drinks like cocktails can also lead to outbreaks due to increased hormone levels.
Those who embark on their sober curious journey might notice spots or dry skin patches start to clear up when they don’t drink alcohol.
You’ll feel generally better
Drinking in excess can often lead to feeling groggy, lethargic and generally unwell the next day because it interferes with the day-to-day functioning of the body.
During the periods that you choose not to drink, whether it's occasionally or for good, you may find that you have more energy to do things that you normally wouldn’t, like being more active or spending more time out of the house with friends.
Dr Carney concluded: “If you find yourself craving an alcoholic beverage during your sobriety, perhaps opt for a soft drink or non-alcoholic version - you are guaranteed to feel better having slept well and waking up with no hangover.”
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