A recovering alcoholic's stark warning about the dangers of blacking out from drinking has gone viral, sparking a crucial conversation about the UK's relationship with booze.
In a TikTok video viewed over four million times, Corey Warren from Michigan, US, challenged the common perception of memory loss after a heavy night. "I used to think that blacking out was just a part of drinking, a part of having fun," he shared. "What I didn't realise is blacking out is not what happens when I drink too much one time. Blacking out is what happens when my tolerance is so high that I drink past my body's limit."
He concluded with a powerful message: "That's not normal. That's not fun. That's my brain shutting down. So, if you've ever blacked out, even one time, that means your relationship with alcohol is way past casual."
The Science Behind the Blackout
Contrary to being a harmless side effect of a big night, blackouts occur when alcohol disrupts the brain's ability to transfer memories from short-term to long-term storage, a process known as memory consolidation.
This interference can lead to forms of amnesia, leaving empty spaces in your recollection. It's a physical sign of the substance's impact on your brain function.
A Serious UK Health Crisis
Warren's warning comes against a backdrop of deeply concerning statistics in the UK. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) recorded 10,500 alcohol-related deaths in 2023, a 4% rise on 2022 and a staggering 38% increase compared to 2019.
Estimates suggest over 600,000 adults in England had an alcohol dependence between 2019 and 2020, with figures creeping upwards in recent years.
The NHS advises that people should not regularly drink more than 14 units of alcohol per week (equivalent to about six pints of beer or glasses of wine). It states that any regular drinking increases health risks, and persistent misuse can lead to:
- Heart disease and stroke
- Liver disease and pancreatitis
- Several types of cancer
- Brain damage
A study published in September 2024 also found that drinking any level of alcohol can raise the risk of developing dementia.
A Stark Postcode Lottery
The tragic impact of alcohol is not evenly spread across the country. ONS data reveals a stark postcode lottery in alcohol-related fatalities.
Sunderland in the North East had the highest death rate in Britain, with almost 30 deaths per 100,000 people—double the national rate for England. Neighbouring South Tyneside and Lincoln followed.
In stark contrast, South Hams in Devon recorded the lowest rate, with fewer than five deaths per 100,000 residents—six times lower than Sunderland. Other areas with low rates included Waverley in Surrey and Wealden in East Sussex.
Despite the sobering facts shared in the viral video, many commenters missed the point, with some joking they had hoped for "tips on how to not black out." This reaction underscores the normalisation of dangerous drinking behaviours that experts and campaigners are desperately trying to combat.
