Blacking out can be an accident from not knowing your “limit”. Students in college might go through this or people who go out drinking a lot. But it can also occur frequently with alcoholics, at bars or at their house. A blackout is an alcohol-induced amnesia. This means the person who’s blacked out can’t recall some or all the events that happened during their intoxication. The person can be conscious and awake, go to bed that night and wake up not remembering anything. There are many dangers involved in being blackout drunk. Some dangers include sexual assault, emotional/physical abuse, overdosing, trouble with the law, drunk driving, household dangers and more.
When you think about household dangers, you might be wondering what exactly could happen. Falling down the stairs, prank calling people, ordering 5 boxes of Dominos… But the reality is, there are a lot of dangerous things that can happen when you’re blacked out. It can be really scary because you have no recollection of what you’re doing when you’re drinking.
Blacking out is more relatable to the rapid consumption you drink than the amount you drink. A scary factor about blacking out is that there’s no specific number or drinks needed to do so. Everyone is different and has a different tolerance. It can depend on a number of factors, such as your mood, what you ate that night, who you’re with, if you pre-gammed, or if you’re drinking cocktails, beer or taking shots.
Household Dangers When You’re Blacked Out
1. Stove Fires
When you’re drunk and someone offers fries or ramen noodles, it’s really hard to say no. We have the urge to eat food when we’re drunk, whether that be ordering out, going somewhere or cooking at home. But there can be dangers from each of those things. When you’re drunk, you don’t really care about anything but having fun and letting loose. Your responsibilities and maturity go down the drain. So when you feel the urge to cook something, you can easily forget what you’re doing in 2 seconds. And once you wait for the water to boil or the oven to preheat, you’re already onto the next adventure. This can be extremely dangerous and cause a fire or a very smokey house.
2. Gas Leaks
If your oven, water heater, or other appliances are powered by natural gas, it can cause a leak. There are certain levels of leakage that could even kill you. That’s why it’s so important to stay attentive enough to understand gas leaks. If you’re in the home, you can smell a gas leak by smelling what’s described as a “rotten egg”. You can also hear a gas leak by listening to a hissing sound coming from the gas appliance. If you’re outside, you can see a gas leak by the air. If there’s dirt being thrown in the air or plants blowing in a breeze, it’s a common indicator of a gas leak. Also: plants dying, fire coming from the ground, and observing a dry spot in a moist field. You definitely don’t want to experience a gas leak when you’re blackout drunk.
3. Unlocked Doors
Safety is important, but when you’re belligerent you really don’t care what’s happening. Unlocked doors are a biggie for household dangers. When you’re home and drunk, and you leave your doors unlocked, you’re allowing people to enter your house. Depending on the crime rate where you live, it can be a very dangerous thing to do. People are able to walk in and out of your house, you may experience unwanted guests or people trying to steal. You can also experience people who want to hurt you.
4. Situation Gone Bad
When people are drunk, they want to have fun and chill. But when you’re blacked out, you’ll have basically no memory of your night drinking. If you invite your friends over when you’re drunk, and they are drinking too, it can bring a lot of tense and chaos to the house. Especially with people you’re attracted to. If your crush is getting drunk with you, it can turn into a night of regret. And when I mentioned that drunkness and abuse relate together, it wasn’t an exaggeration. One disagreement or fight can lead to an abusive night. Whether it’s you or someone else, it can lead to physical and emotional abuse, as well as rape. And when you’re blacked out, it can be a very dangerous situation to remember or be told in the morning.
4. Alcohol Poisoning
Alcohol poisoning can occur to anyone who drinks more than the recommended in a short period of time. If you’re alone, it can be super dangerous. And when you’re with other friends who are drinking, it can be just as dangerous. If you experience vomiting, seizures, choking, cold or clammy skin, and the inability to stay conscious, you’re likely having alcohol poisoning. It is super dangerous to self-medicate, and it’s highly recommended to call 911. If you’re in this situation, you should not have/give coffee or caffeine, food, medications, more alcohol, or sleep it off. You shouldn’t be alone if you’re experiencing the symptoms, and you should get medical and professional help ASAP.
It’s Okay to Ask for Help
There are so many household dangers that can occur when you’re wasted and blackout drunk. Take precaution and get help if you’re in a dangerous situation. If you are blackout drunk or get drunk almost all the time, it’s highly likely you’re dependent on alcohol. New Start wants to help you get your life back. Call us at 855-737-7363 so we can help you! You can also use the live chat feature on our website to talk with our admissions online.