Alcohol-Induced Blackouts and Other Negative Outcomes During the Transition Out of College

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Objective:There is considerable debate about the prospective association between alcohol-dependence symptoms and alcohol-related blackouts. The goal of this study was to examine the associations among alcohol-dependence symptoms, blackouts, and social and emotional consequences during the transition out of college. Method: Participants (N = 829; 66% female) were part of a 6-year longitudinal study designed to explore alcohol use and risky behaviors during and after college. Data for these analyses were from Years 4 and 5 of data collection, which most closely corresponded to the transition out of college. Using cross-lagged models, we tested the prospective associations of alcohol-dependence symptoms, blackout frequency, and social and emotional consequences. Results: Alcohol-dependence symptoms in Year 4 predicted increased frequency of blackouts and social and emotional consequences during the subsequent year. Blackouts during Year 4 also significantly predicted increased alcohol-related social and emotional consequences, but not dependence symptoms, in Year 5. Conclusions: Although blackouts do not predict the development of alcohol-dependence symptoms, they increase the risk for less severe alcohol-related consequences during the transition out of college. This may result from the cognitive reconciliation of negative behaviors that occur during these episodes of amnesia. (J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs, 76, 516-524, 2015)

Alcohol-Induced Amnesia and Personalized Drinking Feedback: Blackouts Predict Intervention Response

“…A number of researchers have suggested that ‘blackout’ screening questions could be used to identify individuals at risk for alcohol-related consequences who, ostensibly, may benefit from intervention (Hingson, Zha, Simons-Morton, & White, 2016; Merrill et al, 2016; Mundt et al, 2012). Wilhite and Fromme (2015) took these recommendations a step further, suggesting that interventions emphasizing use of protective behavioral strategies may reduce alcohol problems among individuals with a history of alcohol-induced amnesia because use of these strategies may prevent rapid rise in BAC. However, studies to date have not examined whether drinkers with a history of alcohol-induced amnesia respond differently to intervention or the role that use of protective behavioral strategies and peak BAC may play in those outcomes.…”

Comparing the predictive validity of the four-factor and five-factor (bifactor) measurement structures of the drinking motives questionnaire

“…Alcohol consumption can produce problematic consequences including compromised work productivity (Rehm et al, 2009), distressing withdrawal symptoms (Hashimoto and Wiren, 2008), behavioral disinhibition and negative emotions (Hicks et al, 2012), and memory impairment and blackouts (Wilhite and Fromme, 2015). Drinking motives, or reasons for consuming alcohol, are important proximal determinants of the amount of alcohol consumed (Cox and Klinger, 1988).…”

Ungdom og alkohol - normalutvikling og senere problemer

“…Naert beslektet til hyppig beruselse, er å drikke så mye at man blir beruset i den grad at man får hukommelsestap ('black out') (White, 2003). Man tenkte tidligere at om man hadde episoder med 'black out', så var det en genetisk markør for utvikling av alkoholrelaterte problemer senere i livet, og dermed en saerlig viktig indikator (Wilhite & Fromme, 2015). Nyere studier har dog vist at mange ungdommer rapporterer 'black out'.…”

“…Nyere studier har dog vist at mange ungdommer rapporterer 'black out'. Noen beregner forekomsten til å vaere over 50 prosent (Marino & Fromme, 2015;Schuckit et al, 2015;Wilhite & Fromme, 2015). Siden forekomsten av alkoholproblemer i befolkningen er langt fra så høy, innebaerer dette at de fleste av disse personene ikke vil utvikle alkoholproblemer senere i livet.…”

“…Siden forekomsten av alkoholproblemer i befolkningen er langt fra så høy, innebaerer dette at de fleste av disse personene ikke vil utvikle alkoholproblemer senere i livet. Det er likevel klart at episoder med et så stort alkoholforbruk at man opplever 'black out', har potensialet i seg til å øke risikoen for ulykker, uønskete hendelser og gir økte psykiske plager og bekymringer hos personene det gjelder (Wilhite & Fromme, 2015). Studier har vist at et forbruksmønster karakterisert av hyppig beruselse er der hvor man ser størst nedgang i overgangen fra ungdomstid til voksen alder (Lee et al, 2013).…”