Most of us who have ever experienced a night of heavy drinking have woken up the next morning, glared at the sun, and chugged a couple glasses of water and some aspirin before going about our day. We think that the alcohol must be out of our systems by then, so we have no compunctions about driving, going to work or school, and making important decisions. According to a new study published in the journal Addiction by psychologists at the University of Bath, cognitive impairment from heavy drinking can linger well into the next day, even if little or no alcohol is left in the body.
The researchers examined 19 other studies and discovered that hangovers can impair psychomotor speed (an individual’s ability to detect and respond to rapid changes in the environment or stimuli), short and long-term memory, attention, concentration and focus, and reaction times. This can be problematic for people in all fields of work. Imagine driving a forklift or a crane, thinking you’re over your night of drinking, only to discover that you’re having trouble focusing or even remembering how to operate the equipment. Or you’re a doctor, and someone else’s life is literally in your hands, but your concentration isn’t up to par and when something goes wrong, you’re at a loss for how to quickly deal with it.
Doctors at Johns Hopkins University say that hangovers can last up to 72 hours after drinking, although most are shorter. How long the hangover lasts can depend on how much alcohol was consumed, how dehydrated you are, whether you’re malnourished or have good nutrition, your ethnicity, your gender, the state of your liver, any medications you take, and more. Despite the plethora of products out there that claim to cure you of hangover symptoms, there are no substances that have been scientifically proven to be effective.
If you do drink too much the night before, don’t try the “hair of the dog” the next day – it will only make you feel worse and further dehydrate you. Drink plenty of liquids and eat liquid foods like soup. Don’t take acetaminophen, as it can damage your already overworked liver. The best way to avoid a hangover, of course, is to not drink.
According to the study, hangovers are estimated to cost the economy in the United Kingdom £1.9 billion ($2,441,532,300 U.S. dollars) a year. Per the Centers for Disease Control, the cost to the United States is a staggering $249 billion. While many businesses have rules about drinking on the job, not many have any policies regarding the day after a drinking binge. The researchers suggesting that workplaces should consider altering their guidelines not only to combat the lost productivity but to increase safety.
If you or a loved one need help with quitting drugs or alcohol, consider Asana Recovery. We offer medical detox, along with both residential and outpatient programs, and you’ll be supervised by a highly trained staff of medical professionals, counselors, and therapists. Call us any time at (949) 438-4504 to get started.
