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Blacking Out from Alcohol

Addiction to alcohol is dangerous.
Blacking out from alcohol is deadly.
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Blacking Out from Alcohol: What it means and What to do About it

Deaths Related to Excessive Drinking, Facts about Blackouts, Risk of Having A Blackout, Signs and Symptoms of a Blackout, Challenges and ObstaclesHow to Choose an Inpatient Treatment Center, Outpatient Alcohol Rehab, Rehab is your Best Chance

Addicted individuals and their loved ones should not rush to enlist in a rehab program. Choosing the right approach is a crucial step towards recovery, and so it shouldn’t be treated as a quick decision. For starters, the duration of rehab may vary from one facility to another. There are 30-day rehabs, 60-day rehabs, and 90-day rehabs—all of which have their own set of benefits. If the patient wants to try a 30-day rehab program, there are still a lot of different factors to consider.

It’s no secret that alcoholism is very dangerous. But out of all its potential health effects, blacking out from alcohol is one of the deadliest ones. Not only does it put the drinker at risk of many negative consequences, but it also puts the people around them in danger.
Alcohol-induced blackouts, commonly-referred to as alcohol-induced amnesia, can occur for various reasons. It depends on the individual, as well as various other factors. But whatever the cause or reason, blacking out from alcohol abuse is never a good thing.

Alcohol is one of the leading causes of health issues in the US. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 88,000 people die each year from alcohol-related causes like motor vehicle accidents and health issues like liver disease.

In fact, 1 in 10 deaths among working-age adults aged 20 to 64 is related to excessive drinking, also known as binge drinking. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), binge drinking is a pattern of drinking that brings blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels to 0.08 g/dL., or higher.

For men, this typically occurs after 5 or more drinks during a single occasion or within 2 hours. For women, this typically happens after taking 4 or more drinks during a single occasion or within 2 hours. Binge drinking is most likely to cause blacking out, which involves memory loss due to excessive drinking. It happens due to the rapid consumption of alcohol.

Both binge drinking and blacking out can increase a person’s risk of experiencing alcohol-related injuries as well as health-related problems. When a person blacks out, they become unable to form new long term memories while maintaining other skills like eating, speaking, and even driving.

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Facts about Blackouts

As the amount of alcohol consumed increases, so does the magnitude of memory impairment. There are two main types of blackouts, both of which may be caused by rapid alcohol consumption: partial or fragmentary blackouts, and complete blackouts.

Fragmentary blackouts are when a person’s memory formation is partially blocked. The blockage prevents the transfer of short term memory to long term memory storage. This means the person may only be able to recall some portions of the events during the time they were drinking.

Complete blackouts occur when a person is drinking alcohol in large quantities at rapid rates. This usually makes the person unable to recall entire events during the time they were drinking.

Risk of Having A Blackout

In addition to having high blood alcohol concentration, there are other characteristics that increase the risk of having a blackout. According to the Journal of Drug and Alcohol Dependence, factors that contribute to the likelihood of having a blackout include gender, ethnicity, genetics, alcohol intake, and rate of consumption.

Researchers have found that all alcohol-induced blackout periods occurred after a rapid rise in blood alcohol levels. Recent studies have also revealed that drinking on an empty stomach can also increase the risk of blacking out. This is because it can drastically raise a person’s BAC.

As mentioned earlier, gender is one of the risk factors involving blackouts. Women, in particular, are at greater risk of blacking out than men, even with lower levels of alcohol consumption. This is because women have considerably less water weight than men, which means alcohol is less diluted in the bloodstream.

Women also have much lower concentrations of the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). ADH metabolizes alcohol before it passes into the bloodstream. As a result, women have a higher BAC and experience greater intoxication than men.

Because women also have higher levels of body fat than men, women maintain higher concentrations of alcohol in their bloodstream.

Signs and Symptoms of a Blackout

To avoid the dangers associated with blackouts, it is important to try and spot the signs and symptoms before the person gets into any trouble. Although it may be difficult to identify when someone is having a blackout as they would most likely continue with their regular activities, it is still possible to recognize the warning signs if you know what to look for.

Blacking out is more common than most people think. For starters, the person may be easily distracted. They may exhibit a lack of concern for others’ thoughts and feelings—or simply exhibit a lack of awareness of their surroundings.

People who have blacked out are more likely to repeat the same thing over and over again without memory of repeating themselves. In general, they are more forgetful, sometimes forgetting what they are talking about or what they are doing.

Blacking out also makes a person engage in risky behaviors that are uncharacteristic.
Lastly, the most important thing to watch out for is whether or not the person has consumed large quantities of alcohol over a short period of time.

Challenges and obstracles

Knowing the signs and symptoms of a blackout can help identify a person struggling with alcohol abuse. The best way to prevent blacking out is, of course, total abstinence from alcohol. Blacking out is not considered a sign of having an alcohol use disorder, but they are at a higher risk of developing the condition.

Alcohol-induced blackouts can be avoided by drinking moderately and eating food before and while drinking alcohol. It is also important to stay hydrated by drinking water between each alcoholic beverage. Also, slow down your drinking speed, as rapid consumption is a primary factor that can cause a blackout.

Finally, avoid mixing alcohol with medications or any other drugs, as this not only increases intoxication and increases the risk of blackouts, it also makes the drinker more likely to suffer from a fatal overdose.

If someone in the family is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, it is important to seek help. A combination of medical detox and behavioral therapy can go a long way in the fight against drug abuse. But because every individual is affected by addiction differently, a comprehensive program tailored to their specific needs is necessary. Look for a nearby addiction treatment facility today and find out how drug treatment programs work.

How to Choose an inpatient treatment center

While finding the right addiction rehab can seem overwhelming, help is available. There are plenty of resources available to help with the search. Finding the right one can go a long way in ensuring the success of the treatment. Visiting local rehabs and paying attention to the surroundings and the staff first-hand is a great idea to get a feel for the rehab facility’s atmosphere.

Asking about treatment methods, policies, and payment options can give the patient a solid idea on how things work in that facility. This will help them choose the right fit later on. There are facilities for certain demographics and preferences. There are programs designed for patients with co-occurring mental or physical illnesses. Loved ones can also try looking for online resources that provide the necessary information on different rehabs.

Most rehab facilities nowadays have websites or just hotlines people can dial to get more information. Admitting that there is a substance problem or addiction is never easy. Getting started on rehab can even be scary. But the short-term commitment that 30-day rehabs provide is one of its biggest benefits, and can really get one foot in the door for patients who are afraid of treatment. A rehab program lasting only 28 or 30 days is a relatively short time commitment, but the rewards of sobriety can be lifelong. If someone in the family is struggling with alcohol addiction, it is important to seek help.

A combination of medical detox and behavioral therapy can go a long way in the fight against alcohol abuse. But because every individual is affected by addiction differently, a comprehensive program tailored to their specific needs is necessary. Look for a nearby addiction treatment facility today and find out how drug treatment programs work.

Outpatient alcohol rehab

Outpatient alcohol rehab is less focused, but more flexible. This means it has a higher chance of relapse, and that is why it is not recommended for those with long term addictions or severe dependence. It is perfect for those with more manageable conditions who want to continue working or could not stay in a treatment facility for 30 days for any reason. Because it is an outpatient program, it requires frequent visits to the treatment facility. Patients are encouraged to stay sober. Because it does not take the person away from their environment, they are still exposed to all the temptations and issues they were previously dealing with.

Rehab Is your best Chance

Treatment is an addicted individualʼs best option if they want to recover. Beating an addiction not only requires eliminating the physical dependence, but also addressing the behavioral factors that prevent them from wanting to get better. Simply quitting may not change the psychological aspect of addiction. Some people quit for a while, and then take alcohol again, only to overdose because they did not detox properly. Recovery involves changing the way the patient feels, thinks, and behaves.

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