Title: Blackouts | healthdirect
Headings: 
Blackouts
On this page
What is a blackout?
What causes a blackout?
How are blackouts prevented and treated?
Blackouts caused by alcohol
When should I seek help for a blackout?
Was this article helpful?

Content: A blackout is a temporary loss of consciousness. In a blackout, you experience a loss of memory. There are many different causes of blackout – it might be an effect of drugs or alcohol, a problem with circulation, or a problem within the brain, such as epilepsy. It may not be serious, but it is important to see your doctor and try to establish the underlying cause. If you have a blackout, you lose consciousness temporarily. Before that, you might fall down, have blurred-vision, or be confused. Sometimes, people experience memory loss and describe this as a blackout – for example, after they have drunk a lot of alcohol or taken illicit drugs. What causes a blackout? One common cause of a blackout is fainting. Fainting occurs when your heart rate drops and your blood vessels widen, resulting in low blood pressure.