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What Is Blackout Drunk?

You may have heard the term “blackout drunk” but not fully understand what it means. Some people believe it’s the same as passing out or falling asleep after a night of heavy drinking, but it’s not. A person who is blackout drunk can actually be fully conscious and even appear aware of their surroundings during the episode.

Blackouts can happen accidentally, often after binge drinking or mixing drinks with high alcohol content. In some cases, people may drink with the intention of reaching this state, unaware of how dangerous it can be.

Here, we’ll clear up common myths about blackout drinking and explain what it is, how it happens, how it affects the body, and what to do if you notice someone experiencing a blackout.

Key Points

• Blackout drunk is not the same as passing out.
• A person who is blackout drunk will experience memory loss that can range from mild to severe.
• There are two types of blackout drunk: fragmentary and en bloc.
• A person who is blackout drunk can suffer from alcohol induced poisoning, also known as an overdose.

What Are the Signs of Being Blackout Drunk?

Most people think being blackout drunk is the same as passing out, but they aren’t the same thing. During an alcohol-induced blackout, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), the person is still awake, but their brain has stopped creating new memories.[1] In contrast, a person who has passed out is either asleep or has lost consciousness from drinking too much.[1] It’s also possible for someone who has blacked out to pass out.

An alcohol blackout impairs your memory of events that occur while you’re intoxicated and significantly increases the risk of injury and other potential harm.[1] Anyone can experience a blackout when drinking, regardless of age or drinking experience.

Blackout Types

There are two types of blackouts, each with distinct effects.[2]

• Fragmentary: The first type, called a fragmentary blackout, is characterized by spotty memories of events or missing periods of time. This is sometimes referred to as a “grayout” or “brownout.”
• En Bloc: The second type, called an en bloc blackout, involves complete amnesia that can last for hours. This form of blackout is the most dangerous, as memory cannot be recovered.

Why Do People Get Blackout Drunk?

According to the Journal of Alcohol Research and Health, a significant minority of the population abuses alcohol.[3] This is mainly due to its easy accessibility, which makes it available to anyone regardless of age.

Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center found that people with alcohol use disorder, also known as unhealthy alcohol use, often struggle to predict how much they will drink, when they will stop, or what they will do while drinking.[4] This unpredictability significantly increases the risk of drinking to the point of blacking out.

Unhealthy alcohol use can occur at any age, and there is no way to predict when or if it will start. Certain factors can increase the likelihood of drinking until drunk. These include major life changes that often lead to mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, or feelings of isolation and boredom.[4] Some people turn to alcohol to cope with daily stresses, fit in with their social circle, or conform to peer pressure.[4]

Someone who gets blackout drunk regularly may also display the following signs of having a drinking problem:[4]

• Frequent uncontrolled drinking episodes
• Drinking until drunk
• Driving while drunk
• Going to work drunk
• Taking more risks under the influence
• Having problems with law enforcement
• Using alcohol to suppress uncomfortable emotions such as anxiety or grief
• Having more difficulty at school or in their social relationships
• Regularly drinking two or more drinks a day for men or one drink a day for women
• Needing more alcohol to feel its effects
• Developing health, social, or financial problems stemming from drinking

What Causes Someone to Black Out After Drinking?

Your body can process approximately half an ounce of alcohol per hour.[5] Drinking more than this can lead to a buildup of alcohol in the bloodstream, resulting in intoxication. Since the liver metabolizes alcohol at a fixed rate each hour, consuming more than it can handle can cause blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels to rise.

As alcohol begins to accumulate, you may notice impairments in motor coordination, decision-making, impulse control, and other functions.[5] This occurs because alcohol is a central nervous system depressant (CNS).[5] Drinking in moderation may make you feel relaxed or “tipsy,” but consuming too much can significantly slow the central nervous system, impairing vital life support functions such as breathing, heart rate, and temperature regulation. Continuing to drink beyond this point can result in alcohol poisoning or overdose.[6]

Does Getting Blackout Drunk Indicate Alcohol Dependence or Addiction?

Addiction is the most severe form of a substance use disorder, and a person who engages in heavy drinking regularly may be diagnosed with alcohol use disorder (AUD).[7] According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), alcohol use disorder is characterized by a problematic pattern of alcohol consumption that leads to clinically significant impairment or distress.[7] The severity of the disorder is designated as mild, moderate, or severe and is based on the number of symptoms experienced in the past 12 months out of a possible 11.

The signs of AUD are:[7]

1. Drinking larger amounts of alcohol or over a longer period than intended
2. Having a persistent desire to cut down on alcohol use without success
3. Spending a great deal of time trying to obtain alcohol or recover from its effects
4. Having a strong craving to drink alcohol
5. Drinking so much alcohol that it impacts obligations at work, school, or home
6. Continuing to drink alcohol despite it causing social or interpersonal problems
7. Failing to meet important obligations due to alcohol use
8. Repeatedly drinking alcohol in hazardous situations
9. Continuing to drink alcohol despite the physical or psychological harm it causes
10. Needing more alcohol to achieve intoxication or having a diminished effect with continued use
11. Developing withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop drinking.

Experiencing two to three of these symptoms indicates a mild AUD, four to five symptoms suggest a moderate level, and six or more symptoms are classified as severe AUD.[7]

What Are the Dangers of Getting Blackout Drunk?        

While physical injury is a major risk of blackout drinking, alcohol overdose is also dangerous.[6] An overdose happens when levels of alcohol in your blood become so high that your brain can’t regulate your heart, lungs, and temperature properly. This can cause severe confusion, unconsciousness, vomiting, and seizures. In some cases, it can lead to permanent brain damage or death.[6]

Being blackout drunk also increases your risk of assaults, car accidents, loss of memory, and injuries.

What Is the Treatment for Someone Who Is Blackout Drunk?

A person who is blackout drunk may appear unconscious or have difficulty paying attention. If you suspect someone is in this state, try to wake them by calling their name, lightly shaking their shoulders, or rubbing their sternum with your knuckles.[8]

If they do not respond, call 911 immediately.

Keep in mind that their blood alcohol concentration may continue to rise even after they stop drinking. Without prompt help, they could suffer from serious complications such as permanent brain damage or liver damage. [8]

While you wait for help to arrive:[8]

• Roll them on their side with one ear to the ground to prevent them from choking
• Give emergency responders as much information as you can
• Keep them warm and calm
• Do not give them any drugs to try to sober them up with black coffee

If the person has overdosed on alcohol, they will receive treatment in the hospital for ethanol poisoning.[9]

This can include:[9]

• Laboratory analysis to determine electrolyte balance and liver functions
• An EKG
• A CT scan
• Airway protection
• Intravenous fluids
• IV multivitamins if necessary

The prognosis for alcohol overdose, also known as ethanol toxicity, depends on several factors, including the degree of intoxication and organ damage.[9] Most patients with uncomplicated alcohol toxicity have a good prognosis and only require counseling on abstinence. However, patients with chronic complications may need further treatment, especially those with multiple organ system failure or brain damage.

Getting Help for Alcohol Use Disorder

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, the treatment for alcohol use disorder includes several key components.[10]

Detoxification is the first step, which allows for complete abstinence from alcohol. Following detox, treatment often involves medications that manage cravings, support abstinence, and reduce the risk of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.

Common medications include naltrexone and acamprosate, which are typically administered alongside behavioral treatments. These behavioral treatments help manage triggers and provide ongoing support throughout recovery. Additionally, support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) play a vital role in maintaining sobriety.

If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol abuse, you’re not alone. Many people feel trapped in a cycle of binge drinking and alcohol misuse, but there is hope.

Contact Southeast Addiction Center GA to learn about our alcohol addiction treatment programs and start your journey to recovery today.

Sources

[1] National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). (2025 Jun). Alcohol’s Effects on Health. Retrieved from https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/interrupted-memories-alcohol-induced-blackouts on 2025 Oct 20.

[2] Addiction Policy. (2024 Jul 18). The Biology of a Blackout. Retrieved from https://www.addictionpolicy.org/post/the-biology-of-a-blackout on 2025 Oct 20.

[3] National Library of Medicine. (2000). Why Do People Drink Too Much? Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6713001/ on 2025 Oct 20.

[4] University of Rochester Medical Center. (n.d.). Social Drinking vs. Problem Drinking. Retrieved from https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content?contenttypeid=1&contentid=870 on 2025 Oct 20.

[5] California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. (n.d.). Alcohol Facts. Retrieved from https://www.abc.ca.gov/education/licensee-education/alcohol-facts/ on 2025 Oct 20.

[6] National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). (2024 Dec). Understanding the Dangers of Alcohol Overdose. Retrieved from https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/understanding-dangers-of-alcohol-overdose on 2025 Oct 20.

[7] National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). (2025 May 8). Alcohol Use Disorder: From Risk to Diagnosis to Recovery. Retrieved from https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/health-professionals-communities/core-resource-on-alcohol/alcohol-use-disorder-risk-diagnosis-recovery#:~:text=Alcohol%20use%20disorder%20(AUD)%20is,a%20possible%2011%2C%20in%20the on 2025 Oct 20.

[8] Healthline. (2020 Dec 14). Friend Passed Out Drunk? Here’s What to Do? Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/alcohol/passed-out-drunk#if-they-wake-up on 2025 Oct 20.

[9] StatPearls. (2023 Jun 21). Ethanol Toxicity. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557381/ on 2025 Oct 20.

[10] JAMA. (2021 Feb 9). Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder. Retrieved from  https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2776202  on 2025 Oct 20.

FAQs

What is blackout drunk?

Blackout drunk happens when someone drinks so heavily that their body struggles to process the alcohol as quickly as it’s consumed. This can lead to memory gaps (short-term memory loss) or total amnesia (long-term memory loss).

Why do people get blackout drunk?

Some people get blackout drunk to forget their problems, while others do so accidentally by mixing drinks or drinking heavily.

Does getting blackout drunk mean I have an alcohol addiction?

Not necessarily. However, repeated episodes of being blackout drunk can indicate a problem such as alcohol abuse or alcohol use disorder.

What is binge drinking?

Binge drinking is marked by excessive alcohol consumption over a short period of time. Large amounts of alcohol cannot be processed by the body, so the effects of alcohol are more pronounced and can cause blackouts.