This article covers the distinctions between brownout and blackout drinking. Brownouts are only temporary memory lapses where you retain partial memories of the night before. Blackouts are a full loss of memory caused by your brain “shutting off” its memory-producing areas due to alcohol misuse.
If you’ve experienced either partial memory loss or full memory lapses after binge drinking, this could be a sign of alcohol dependence or addiction.
This article focuses on:
- The distinction between brownouts and blackouts
- The dangers of binge drinking
- Some tips for preventing blackouts
- Discovering whether or not your binge drinking behaviour is a sign of a deeper problem with alcohol
While drinking too much alcohol and not remembering what happened might seem harmless, it can cause brain damage, fatal injuries, or even dependence and addiction.
Read on to learn about key distinctions between these two conditions, tips for preventing them from happening, and where to get help if you have an alcohol problem.
Key Takeaways:
What’s the Difference Between Brownout and Blackout Drinking?
The main difference between brownout and blackout drinking is the degree of memory loss experienced. Blackouts involve complete memory loss for periods of time while drinking, whereas brownouts cause partial or fragmented memory loss where the person can recall some details.
Both conditions are dangerous signs of harmful drinking patterns, though brownouts are somewhat less severe. Brownouts still indicate problematic alcohol use that can lead to risky behaviour and health concerns, but they don’t represent the same level of acute alcohol poisoning risk that complete blackouts do.
However, recurring brownouts can progress to blackouts if your drinking habits continue unchanged. In other words, they are a sign that your relationship with alcohol has become problematic, and you should consider re-evaluating your habits.
What is Blackout Drinking?
A blackout occurs when alcohol consumption severely disrupts the brain’s ability to form new memories. The individual will have complete amnesia for the entire night after they’ve reached a certain level of intoxication. It typically occurs after a full night of heavy drinking.
During a blackout, a person may appear conscious and functional to others but later have no recollection whatsoever of what happened during that time period. This complete memory gap happens when blood alcohol content rises rapidly, typically from consuming large amounts of alcohol quickly.
What is Brownout Drinking?
A brownout, on the other hand, involves spotty or hazy memories of your drinking episode. Someone experiencing a brownout might remember certain moments or be able to recall events when given cues or reminders by friends, but in general, they don’t remember very much. These partial memory gaps are less severe than blackouts but still indicate excessive alcohol consumption.
Are Blackouts and Brownouts Dangerous?
Yes, both alcohol-related blackouts and brownouts are dangerous warning signs of excessive drinking that can lead to serious health risks and indicate problematic drinking patterns.
It’s easy to think that a little memory loss or forgetting the night before is normal, but these memory gaps actually signal that alcohol has temporarily impaired your brain’s ability to form new memories. This is your body’s way of telling you something is wrong.
The most dangerous side effect of excessive alcohol use is the damage it does to your mental and physical health, especially the brain.
When you drink heavily, alcohol specifically targets your hippocampus, the region of the brain responsible for creating new memories. During brownouts and blackouts, the hippocampus becomes temporarily unable to transfer short-term memories into long-term storage. Repeated episodes of binge drinking can cause lasting damage to your hippocampus and could even make it difficult for you to form new memories.
So, while drinking alcohol doesn’t directly kill brain cells, it can cause brain damage.
Other dangers of alcohol abuse include:
- Increased risk of accidents and injuries
- Poor decision-making and risky behaviours (like engaging in unprotected sex)
- Potential for alcohol poisoning
- Long-term brain damage (especially to your long-term memory)
- Liver disease and other health problems
Another side effect you must be aware of is that binge drinking increases your risk of developing dependence or addiction.
What starts as occasional brownouts can progress to more frequent alcohol blackouts, which could easily lead to alcohol dependence or alcoholism. These memory disruptions are warning signs that your relationship with alcohol needs attention.
Tips for Preventing Brownouts and Blackouts
The best way to prevent blackouts and brownouts is to be aware of your drinking and commit to not getting too drunk. This can be difficult in a society that glorifies binge drinking behaviour and party culture, but you’re already halfway there.
You’ve already acknowledged that drinking too much is a problem. That’s why you’re reading this article. Now you just need some practical guidance to help you stay on track and enjoy socialising safely.
Here are some of the best tips for preventing brownouts and blackouts:
Track Your Drinks
Keep a simple count of how many drinks you’ve had throughout the night. This will prevent you from losing track of your drinks and risking memory loss.
You can use a phone app, make notes, or even keep the bottle caps in your pocket. Set a personal limit before heading out based on what you know about your body, and stick to it.
When you hit that limit, it’s time to switch to water or other non-alcoholic options. If not, you are at risk of losing consciousness again and perpetuating the cycle.
Alternate Between Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Drinks
After each alcoholic drink, have a full glass of water or another non-alcoholic beverage. This “one-for-one” approach slows down your drinking, keeps you hydrated, and gives your body time to process alcohol. The main reason that people experience blackouts is that they drink too much too quickly. Alternating drinks and keeping hydrated helps you avoid that issue.
If plain water feels boring, try:
- Sparkling water with lime – gives the same crisp, refreshing feel as a cocktail.
- Mocktails – many bars offer alcohol-free versions of classic drinks.
- Coconut water or electrolyte drinks – these drinks help replenish lost fluids and reduce next-day grogginess.
We suggest that you keep a drink in your hand most of the time you’re at an event. Holding a non-alcoholic drink in social settings helps you avoid peer pressure to keep drinking.
Do Not Drink on an Empty Stomach
One of the main causes of brownouts and blackouts is drinking on an empty stomach, especially among young adults. Some people do this to save calories because they’re too busy, or because they want to feel the effects faster.
Do not do it. It’s a major risk factor for suffering alcohol-induced blackouts. This drastically increases the risks of a blackout because food (especially proteins and carbohydrates) slows down the absorption of alcohol. That’s why you should always eat a good meal before drinking.
Think of food as a buffer that gives your body more time to handle the alcohol. If you’re out for several hours, grab some snacks throughout the evening to keep that buffer working.
Do Not Mix Alcohol With Other Substances
Mixing alcohol with medications, recreational drugs, or even energy drinks can increase your chances of memory loss, risk behaviours, physical injury, and even overdose and death.
When you mix alcohol with other substances, it creates a chain reaction in your body that can lead to surprising and unpredictable consequences.
The reactions go both ways. Alcohol can alter the pharmacological effects of medications and drugs. And many drugs and medications can alter the effects of alcohol. It’s a dangerous game.
In fact, the National Institute on Alcohol and Alcoholism states on their page Alcohol-Medication Interactions: Potentially Dangerous Mixes:
Alcohol plays a role in about 1 in 5 overdose deaths related to both prescription opioids (22.1%) and benzodiazepines (21.4%) each year. Any combination of alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines is particularly dangerous because they may have synergistic rather than additive effects on brain circuits involved in vital physiological functions.
In other words, about 20% of overdose deaths from common prescription medications are due to mixing them with alcohol. If you’re taking other medications, including antidepressants, benzodiazepines, or opioids, do not drink alcohol. It could be fatal.
Are Blackouts a Sign of Alcoholism?
A blackout alone doesn’t necessarily mean you have alcoholism (alcohol use disorder), but repeated blackouts and an inability to control your drinking are clear signs that you have a problematic relationship with alcohol.
When blackouts happen frequently, it suggests you’re either drinking more than you should or that you are not in control of your intake. Either way, it’s a problem (and it could get worse as time goes on).
It’s important to understand this key distinction: Blackouts are just one symptom of a problem, whereas alcoholism is a chronic condition with multiple symptoms that affect your daily life.
The following list contains some common signs and symptoms of alcohol use disorder:
- Inability to control drinking
- Drinking despite negative consequences
- Increased tolerance
- Withdrawal symptoms when not drinking
- Neglecting responsibilities
- Spending significant time thinking about alcohol, procuring it, or recovering from drinking
- Frequent high-intensity drinking
If you’re noticing more frequent blackouts or finding yourself drinking more (or more often) than you’d like, it might be time to reach out for support from a healthcare professional or counsellor who specialises in alcohol use. They can help you understand what’s happening and explore options that work for your situation.
There are plenty of treatment options available for all budgets and any type of dependence or mental health issues. If you’re struggling, all you have to do is reach out for help.
How the Cabin Can Get You Help For Alcohol Addiction
When you’re struggling with frequent blackouts, it can be emotionally and physically exhausting. This is especially true if you’ve experienced multiple unsuccessful attempts to quit or cut down.
We know because we’ve helped countless thousands of people overcome their substance abuse issues, maintain sobriety, and lead a fulfilling sober lifestyle.
At The Cabin Chiang Mai, we know what you’re going through. It’s frustrating when you promise yourself that you’re never going to drink too much again, only to do it all again at the next opportunity.
We want you to know that life doesn’t have to be this way. There’s help. If you’re experiencing frequent blackouts or spotty memories, negative consequences, and an inability to control your drinking, reach out to us for help.
We are Asia’s longest-running and most respected alcohol addiction treatment clinic. We offer a world-class rehabilitation experience unlike anything in the Western World (and at a fraction of the price you’d pay back home). Here, you can recover in a peaceful setting away from the worries of home under the care of professionals dedicated to your well-being. You’ll be surrounded by temples, mountains, and serene rivers and lakes while starting your recovery journey. You might even like it so much that you’d like to stay forever.
Contact us now for your free intake call. We can get you help even if it’s not with our clinic. We can also help you figure out things with your insurance provider.
