blackouts

[shelleb4]

Hi people,
im wondering if anyone has the answer to why this happens.
Im not a very good alcohol drinker, it usually makes me vomit before it has a chance to make me drunk.
On now 2 occasions, i have been able to get past two drinks without vomitting and have thought, yep, i can see why people drink, its nice and fuzzy and i feel confident. But thats at the start of the evening, on both occasions i have NO recolection of the evenings except the arrival part.
The first time this happened to me, id gone to a bar with a girlfriend, had 4 drinks of vodka and coke over as many hours, 2 before i left and two at the bar, then blank! I stayed in the bar till 2am, my friend reports me being drunk, but not stupidly so, i didnt make a fool of myself or anything. After this night i woke the next morning with not a huge hangover, but no recollection at all of the evening past arriving, and having the first two drinks. I got a little paranoid and worried, thinking perhaps id had my drink spiked.
Last weekend, i went to a friends party, a small gathering of friends, most of which are colleagues and again, i have no recollection of the evening or how i got home. My family were there and again said i was not drunk, id had 3 glasses of wine.
Now i do know that the probable reason ive not been sick on these occasions is that its been on a full stomach.

But i thought black outs were things that happened to alcoholics.
Any ideas people? Has this happened to any others?

 

[Machiavellian]

I have a sister who used to get the same - she'd actually occasionally actually faint, the doctor said that she may have had an allergy to something in the drink.

I'd suggest checking in with a Dr. you never know - it could be something more.. btw - if u are on any meds it could be a conflict with them as well.

 

[Bobmi357]

There are people that cannot stomach drinking. And some, like a friend of my wife's who drinks til she's sick.

Blackouts are a totally different and much more disturbing issue. And I'd suggest that you see a doctor about them. You could have a neurological problem which is being triggered by the drinks. Or worse, in both of the situations you describe you may have been slipped a date rape drug.

It is not normal for someone to experience a blackout after four drinks. My brother, who is epilectic (sp?) is not allowed to drink because the drinks can trigger seizures. And both his petit mal and grand mal seizures do result in memory loss.

Date rape drugs can be slipped into your drink resulting in at best a very vague recollection of what happened after you took the drug. Most people have no memory whatsoever of what occurs once the drug takes effect.

See a doctor. Explain this problem and tell him that (a) you think you should be checked out for possible neurological problems and (b) you want to undergo testing both for STD's and pregnancy.

Its a terrible subject, but the simple fact is that sometimes the ones you trust and call friends, can do things which you do not want them to do.

My own personal inclination is that you've been slipped a drug. After you talk to your doctor, you may need to next talk to the police.

Good Luck!

 

[Maiden-hunter]

have you tryed having a few drinks at home to see it the effects are the same. in a place where you are sure that nothing has been added to your drink. and try swapping what you drink you might have a reaction to vodka or to a particular brand

and as above see a doc and check it out

 

[dollface007]

Blacking out is not normal under any circumstances. I agree with the others, you should see a doc and you might have to stay away from alcohol all together. Alcohol is just a fun diversion for some people, but a killer to others.

 

[SweetErika]

Some people, especially those from certain ethnic groups don't have the right enzymes to metabolize the alcohol. Others have an intolerance or conditions that interact poorly with alcohol (like stomach problems). I agree with seeing your doctor... it could be a serious problem or a genetic condition that could really get you in trouble.

 

[shelleb4]

Thanks for the suggestions guys,
as the events took place more than 10days ago, (the usual sensitivity time for most illicit drugs including Rohipnol so called date rape drug) ive passed the window of opportunity.
Ive just had a medical check on my sexual health and all is clear, and i cant get pregnant having been sterilised, so thats all ok.
Epilepsy- now this one caught my eye as my brother has epilepsy, so that's enough of a thought that im no longer drinking.
Inability to metabolise alcohol- i have part Persian blood, so perhaps this maybe a factor.

I plan to give up alcohol, its rarely worth the effort, so no big deal for me. Im reluctant to go to GP, a diagnosis of epilepsy in this diagnosis happy country called australia would have very serious implications for me and my family. The blackouts have been about 5 months apart, both after alcohol. But im no longer drinking now.
I also dont drive, so that safety factor is not a problem. I know this sounds irresponsible to not go to a Dr. But i would lose my job, im the sole earner in my family, im in a foreign country and have no support network, nor would i be elligable for free medical care, benefits were i to lose my job.
So abstinence is the answer.