Have you ever had your teen or young adult tell you they don’t remember part of a night when they were drinking? Or heard friends say, “They seemed fine at the time, but they don’t remember any of it”? That may have been an alcohol blackout.
A blackout is a type of alcohol-related memory loss. It is not the same as passing out. During a blackout, a person can be awake, talking, walking, texting, or even driving—but later, their brain cannot remember what happened.
Blackouts happen because alcohol interferes with the brain’s ability to store memories. They are more common in teens and young adults, whose brains are still developing and who may drink quickly or heavily.
What is a blackout?
There are two main types of blackouts:
Complete blackouts: The person cannot remember anything from a period of time while drinking. These memories are permanently lost and cannot be recovered.
Partial blackouts: The person remembers bits and pieces. With reminders or help from others, they may be able to recall some events.
In both cases, the person may have seemed “normal” to others in the moment—even though their brain was not storing memories.
Can You Tell During a Blackout?
Usually, no.
There is often no clear sign that someone is blacking out while it is happening. A person can:
- Hold conversations
- Laugh and socialize
- Walk and talk without obvious problems
- Follow directions
Because of this, blackouts are often only discovered after the fact, when the person realizes they cannot remember what happened.
Some warning signs may increase concern, but they are not reliable:
- Drinking very quickly
- Repeating the same stories or questions
- Acting more impulsive or emotionally intense
- Poor judgment or risky decisions
Even then, someone can be in a blackout without showing obvious signs.
Why Do Blackouts Happen?
Blackouts are more likely when:
- Alcohol is consumed quickly (shots, chugging, drinking games)
- Drinking happens on an empty stomach
- Strong drinks are involved
- The person is under high stress or sleep-deprived
- There is a genetic sensitivity to alcohol
Female-bodied individuals are at higher risk of blackouts, even when consuming less alcohol, because it affects their bodies differently.
Having one blackout does not automatically mean someone has a problem with alcohol use. Repeated blackouts, however, are a serious warning sign and are strongly linked to alcohol use disorder.
Why Blackouts Are Dangerous
The danger of blackouts is not just memory loss. Research shows that people who black out often later learn they were involved in risky or unsafe situations, including:
- Driving while intoxicated
- Unprotected or nonconsensual sex
- Physical injuries
- Arguments, property damage, or legal trouble
Ways Parents Can Help Reduce Risk
You cannot control every choice your teen or young adult makes—but you can lower risk by staying connected and informed.
Talk early and often
- Keep conversations calm and non-judgmental
- Focus on safety, not punishment
- Ask open-ended questions like, “What do you notice about how alcohol affects you?”
Encourage protective habits
- Eating before drinking
- Avoiding shots and drinking games
- Sipping slowly and spacing drinks out
- Alternating alcohol with water
- Setting a drink limit in advance
Plan for safety
- Arrange safe rides home—no questions asked
- Encourage staying with trusted friends
- Talk about watching out for each other
Name blackouts clearly
- Help your child understand that blackouts are a sign the brain is overwhelmed
- Emphasize that “seeming fine” does not mean they are safe
Pay attention to patterns
- One blackout may happen
- Multiple blackouts are a red flag and deserve professional support
Model healthy coping
- Teens and young adults learn from how parents handle stress, alcohol, and self-care
A Final Note for Parents
Blackouts can be frightening—for both young people and their families. Staying curious, calm, and informed keeps the door open for honest conversations and safer choices. If blackouts are happening repeatedly, it’s important to reach out for help sooner rather than later.
To receive support from our trained, compassionate helpline staff, contact us here. We are here for you.