I Blacked Out: Do I Need Help for Alcohol Abuse?

If you experienced a blackout, there is a possibility that you may need to seek help for alcohol abuse. Call 800-481-6965 (Who Answers?) now to find rehab centers that will help you end your dangerous drinking habits and recover from the effects of your substance abuse.

What Is a Blackout and Why Is It Dangerous?

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, blackouts “are periods of memory loss for events that transpired while a person was drinking.”

If you black out regularly when you drink, you should consider getting help.

Experiencing a blackout can be frightening and very upsetting, and while it may seem like a temporary issue, there is some significance to its long-term dangers.

• Alcohol abuse can cause severe memory problems, in that a person who drinks consistently is likely to struggle with making new memories or remembering recent events but will have perfectly preserved established memories from earlier in life.
• Blackouts are, unfortunately, much more common than most people believe, especially among social drinkers and college students.
• The memory loss associated with a blackout can range from forgetting a conversation to forgetting major acts, like driving somewhere, having a sexual encounter, or getting into a fight.

This level of memory loss can be problematic, and the more it occurs, the more dangerous it becomes. While blacking out once is not necessarily a sign that an individual needs immediate professional treatment, it is important to consider your situation when an issue like this occurs and to ask yourself if you may actually require long-term help in a rehab center.

Do I need Help for Alcohol Abuse?

Blacking out is not the only sign that your alcohol abuse has gotten out of control, but it can strongly point to an issue with your behavior that may need to be rectified. Ask yourself the questions below in order to find out if your alcohol use has become extremely problematic and if you should seek professional help.

• Have I blacked out before?
• Am I used to blacking out every time or almost every time I drink?
• Have I ever done something during a black out that seriously affected my life?
• Have others expressed discomfort about drinking with me?
• When I start drinking, do I find it hard to stop or do I often drink beyond the point I meant to stop? (National Library of Medicine)
• Have I experienced one or more of the following:
  • Tolerance toward alcohol use?
  • Dependence and withdrawal symptoms?
  • Loss of control over my drinking?
  • Cravings for alcohol?

If you answered yes to the questions above, you will require some sort of professional treatment, as it is likely that you are an alcoholic or consistently abusing alcohol.

Blacking out often or even expecting to black out as part of your drinking is definitely a dangerous sign, and any of these other symptoms of alcohol abuse should not be ignored.

Do You Need Help for Substance Abuse?

Call 800-481-6965 (Who Answers?) now to find a rehab center where you can begin treatment and safely recover from alcohol abuse. We will help you find the right program for your needs.

Physical Signs of Alcoholism