Passed Out Drunk and Memory

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This might not be the best be the best board to put it on, but I don't know where it'd fit.

How drunk do you have to be to not remember something? If you're passed out and difficult to wake, is it likely you remember?

A little over a week ago, my neighbor reported my grandfather missing. His truck had been missing for two days, and there was no answer at the door. Because I'm the only one who lives in the area, I went over there, let myself in (I have a key) and found him. I thought he was dead at first; he didn't respond to repeated screaming of his name or the fact that his tv volume was unbearably loud. When the neighbor, who's a nurse, took his pulse (it took her a minute or so to find it), he didn't wake up. It was only when I grabbed his arm that he finally woke up, completely clueless to why people were there and definitely annoyed about it. The EMS had all ready been called, so they came in and made him talk to them for a bit before they left. He was very unhappy and angry that he had been woken when he was "acting normally" - all he wanted was to be left alone and go back to sleep. He told them that I was his daughter (I'm his granddaughter, and he's never had a daughter, unless you count in-laws; actually, now that I think about it, it's quite possible that he thought I was my mother). I didn't really say goodbye; I let the EMS out, talked to the police, locked the door up, and left. I'm pretty sure he had passed out again before I left.

How likely would it be that he remembered any of it?

Well, it's hard to say, without actually seeing him myself. Does he recognize you immediately when he's sober? If he does, then he's probably drunk enough to where he won't remember it at all, or just bits and pieces. If you're worried that he'll still be mad because you bothered him...I wouldn't worry about it. If he does remember anything, he should be wise enough to realize that you were only trying to help him, or possibly even laugh about it. He'll probably be more worried about curing his hangover, than anything.

Yeah, he does. I'm the first female in that side of the family in several generations, and it's something that he pointed out a lot. He could hold a grudge for a while, and really, he got drunk every night; I didn't even think about it when I went over that night, because I didn't expect him to be there.

I was wondering if he'd remember because it was definitely an awkward encoutner. I don't know if he'd still be mad or embarrassed, but it'd be one of the two. It's not something I'll ever find out for sure (he died yesterday), but I just wondered the possibility of it.

Oh crap, I wasn't expecting that. Anyway, I'm sorry. That's hard.


If you're sort of regretting the incident, try not to. I'm 99% sure that he wouldn't be mad at you for checking on him, even if he acted that way when he was drunk. I woke up once in a very similar situation(with the EMS and family there), and reacted the same way. I don't even know why i was mad. I think it was to cover up the embarassment. Guys don't like to be thought of as helpless, so I'm guessing that's why he reacted like he did. He only had 2 choices...."yes, please help me" or "get the hell out of here, I can take care of myself". Guess which one any normal guy would pick?

I'm pretty positive that he'd be a tad embarassed by the whole thing, but not mad. You can relax, all is cool between you and him. I guarantee it.

Getting drunk and passing out is exacerbated by memory loss (i.e. a 'blackout') Only alcoholics get blackouts, it is part of the criteria for being a drunk in A.A. There is no guarantee that he will remember a thing.

You did what any 'normal' person would do, to care about life and health of your loved one.
There is more information on the AlAnon website. http://www.ola-is.org/

"Only alcoholics get blackouts"
No, anyone who gets drunk might have trouble remembering "the night before".

that is very true, getting snockered can really get in the way of recalling the activities of the 'night before'! However I am talking about a medical condition anterograde amnesia experienced by alcoholics during episodes of drinking, even when not fully intoxicated; indicative of early, reversible brain damage.

Anterograde means you continue to forget after the damage. Retrograde mean you forget things prior to the damage but not after.

His age might be a factor too. Dementia has symptoms that can be confused with alcoholism, and depression. I take it he has a history of drinking anyway?

it would seem.

i hardley ever get blackouts so this is good news. im mostely a nitetime drinker and fall asleep after drinking. rarely do i wake up and start drinking, wow maybe im not an alcoholic after all

You don't hardly doesn't mean you don't ever right? Ever think maybe your 'falling asleep' is actually passing out and 'waking up' is actually coming to?

Do you ever plan you day around alcohol?

Ever go places where there is going to be alcohol over places that isn't going to be alcohol?

Stuff you used like to do and there was alcohol also now becomes stuff you like to do because there is alcohol?

just askin'

Merlie

I've never passed out but I have blacked out and not remembered sections of the night, and no I am not a heavy or binge drinker.

I never had the luxury of forgetting what I did when drunk or stoned... maybe that's why I don't do either in excess anymore.

I have an allergic reaction to poison oak, I have an allergic reaction to crushed leaf dust in the dry autumn. These allergic reactions are common. I also have an allergic reaction to alcohol, this too is quite common. I stay away from poison oak and wear a mask in the autumn, and even though I worshipped how alcohol made me feel before the love of it was more important than my life, I also stay away from alcohol.

your milage may vary

Merle