Expert: Clyde - 1/4/2011

Question
Hi

I am not alcohol dependent, but often when i drink more than two drinks have memory loss. Recently i experienced such a memory loss and would like to know if/how i could retrieve this memory. It is so important for my piece of mind that i can retrieve this if at all possible! My new years resolution is not to put myself in this position again....so no more alcohol for me:)

Answer
Evelyn,
   Thank you for your question.  This is the proverbial "Alcoholic blackout."  My experience is that you will never recover that memory but that is just my experience.  Chances are that if you are serious about your commitment you may be able to find out more about it but it will mean abstinence from all forms of alcohol.

   Perhaps you will also be able to ask someone who may have been around during your memory loss period and find out from them their perception of your actions.

   You may not know this, but people can be allergic to alcohol in very strange ways as the body builds up a sensitization to the substance.  I do not know how this may affect memory loss but it is significant to look into the phenomenon by internet perhaps.

   I hope this may have helped.

Grace and Peace,
Clyde