tiredblondy
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[Tiredblondy]The above sounds like a black out to me...[/quote]
[Twinkiesmom] quote [I agree.
Blackouts represent episodes of amnesia, during which subjects are capable of participating even in salient, emotionally charged events—as well as more mundane events—that they later cannot remember (Goodwin 1995). Like milder alcohol–induced memory impairments, these periods of amnesia are primarily “anterograde,” meaning that alcohol impairs the ability to form new memories while the person is intoxicated, but does not typically erase memories formed before intoxication. Formal research into the nature of alcohol–induced blackouts began in the 1940s with the work of E.M. Jellinek (1946). Jellinek’s initial characterization of blackouts was based on data collected from a survey of Alcoholics Anonymous members. Noting that recovering alcoholics frequently reported having experienced alcohol–induced amnesia while they were drinking, Jellinek concluded that the occurrence of blackouts is a powerful indicator of alcoholism.
In 1969, Goodwin and colleagues published two of the most influential studies in the literature on blackouts (Goodwin et al. 1969a,b). Based on interviews with 100 hospitalized alcoholics, 64 of whom had a history of blackouts, the authors posited the existence of two qualitatively different types of blackouts: en bloc and fragmentary blackouts. People experiencing en bloc blackouts are unable to recall any details whatsoever from events that occurred while they were intoxicated, despite all efforts by the drinkers or others to cue recall. Referring back to our general model of memory formation, it is as if the process of transferring information from short–term to long–term storage has been completely blocked. En bloc memory impairments tend to have a distinct onset. It is usually less clear when these blackouts end because people typically fall asleep before they are over. Interestingly, people appear able to keep information active in short–term memory for at least a few seconds. As a result, they can often carry on conversations, drive automobiles, and engage in other complicated behaviors. Information pertaining to these events is simply not transferred into long–term storage. Ryback (1970) wrote that intoxicated subjects in one of his studies “could carry on conversations during the amnesic state, but could not remember what they said or did 5 minutes earlier. Their immediate and remote memory were intact” (p. 1003). Similarly, in their study of memory impairments in intoxicated alcoholics, Goodwin and colleagues (1970) reported that subjects who experienced blackouts for testing sessions showed intact memory for up to 2 minutes while the sessions were taking place.]
http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh27-2/186-196.htm[/quote]
Thank you so much Twinkiesmom. I knew someone in college who had blackouts due to drinking. They could function regarding some things but not remember anything they did. If I had not observed this I wouldn't believe it.
What is so amazing is that when she was in a blackout those of us who knew her could only tell by asking her what she'd done shortly before. She had no idea she'd had 20 drinks and thought it was her 4th or 5th. She walked and talked fine.
Another thing she did in these states is she'd steal things from us and we'd find them in her room the next day and she had no idea how they got there! (Needless to say we stopped going in stores when she was drinking.) She was a wonderful person but when drinking she did not know what had gone on 10 minutes before. She would ask what and how did she get where we where. It was a learning experience for all of us. I've often wondered what happened to her.
The reason I thought that it was blackout behavior is there was no reaction to the other cars trying to get her attention or that she was going the wrong way. She was driving apparently staying in her lane focused ahead without seeing or reacting to what was happening around her!
[Twinkiesmom] quote [I agree.
Blackouts represent episodes of amnesia, during which subjects are capable of participating even in salient, emotionally charged events—as well as more mundane events—that they later cannot remember (Goodwin 1995). Like milder alcohol–induced memory impairments, these periods of amnesia are primarily “anterograde,” meaning that alcohol impairs the ability to form new memories while the person is intoxicated, but does not typically erase memories formed before intoxication. Formal research into the nature of alcohol–induced blackouts began in the 1940s with the work of E.M. Jellinek (1946). Jellinek’s initial characterization of blackouts was based on data collected from a survey of Alcoholics Anonymous members. Noting that recovering alcoholics frequently reported having experienced alcohol–induced amnesia while they were drinking, Jellinek concluded that the occurrence of blackouts is a powerful indicator of alcoholism.
In 1969, Goodwin and colleagues published two of the most influential studies in the literature on blackouts (Goodwin et al. 1969a,b). Based on interviews with 100 hospitalized alcoholics, 64 of whom had a history of blackouts, the authors posited the existence of two qualitatively different types of blackouts: en bloc and fragmentary blackouts. People experiencing en bloc blackouts are unable to recall any details whatsoever from events that occurred while they were intoxicated, despite all efforts by the drinkers or others to cue recall. Referring back to our general model of memory formation, it is as if the process of transferring information from short–term to long–term storage has been completely blocked. En bloc memory impairments tend to have a distinct onset. It is usually less clear when these blackouts end because people typically fall asleep before they are over. Interestingly, people appear able to keep information active in short–term memory for at least a few seconds. As a result, they can often carry on conversations, drive automobiles, and engage in other complicated behaviors. Information pertaining to these events is simply not transferred into long–term storage. Ryback (1970) wrote that intoxicated subjects in one of his studies “could carry on conversations during the amnesic state, but could not remember what they said or did 5 minutes earlier. Their immediate and remote memory were intact” (p. 1003). Similarly, in their study of memory impairments in intoxicated alcoholics, Goodwin and colleagues (1970) reported that subjects who experienced blackouts for testing sessions showed intact memory for up to 2 minutes while the sessions were taking place.]
http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh27-2/186-196.htm[/quote]
Thank you so much Twinkiesmom. I knew someone in college who had blackouts due to drinking. They could function regarding some things but not remember anything they did. If I had not observed this I wouldn't believe it.
What is so amazing is that when she was in a blackout those of us who knew her could only tell by asking her what she'd done shortly before. She had no idea she'd had 20 drinks and thought it was her 4th or 5th. She walked and talked fine.
Another thing she did in these states is she'd steal things from us and we'd find them in her room the next day and she had no idea how they got there! (Needless to say we stopped going in stores when she was drinking.) She was a wonderful person but when drinking she did not know what had gone on 10 minutes before. She would ask what and how did she get where we where. It was a learning experience for all of us. I've often wondered what happened to her.
The reason I thought that it was blackout behavior is there was no reaction to the other cars trying to get her attention or that she was going the wrong way. She was driving apparently staying in her lane focused ahead without seeing or reacting to what was happening around her!
