Last reviewed
Short-term effects of alcohol: hangovers, blackouts and next-day anxiety
What alcohol does to your body and mood in the hours and days after drinking, including hangxiety, blackouts and poor sleep.
Earl Johns, MSN, PMHNP-BC
Board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner and founder of Wellthy Psychiatry & Wellness
✓ Medically reviewed by Earl Johns, MSN, PMHNP-BC
Photos are illustrative and don’t show actual patients.
Alcohol affects your body and mood for longer than the night itself. Knowing what’s normal, and what isn’t, can help you decide how much to drink.
In the moment
Alcohol slows the brain, which can feel relaxing at first. As levels rise, it affects judgment, coordination, reaction time and memory. Drinking quickly or on an empty stomach makes these effects stronger.
Blackouts
A blackout is a gap in memory caused by blood alcohol rising quickly. You can still walk and talk during one, which is part of what makes them risky. Regular blackouts are a sign to look closely at your drinking.
Hangovers and hangxiety
Hangovers bring headache, nausea, fatigue and dehydration. Many people also feel next-day anxiety, sometimes called hangxiety, as the brain rebounds from alcohol’s calming effect. People with anxiety or depression often feel this more strongly.
Sleep
Alcohol can help you fall asleep, but it disrupts deep and REM sleep later in the night, so you wake up less rested.
When it’s an emergency
Call 911 if someone can’t be woken, is breathing slowly or irregularly, has a seizure, is vomiting while passed out, or has cold, clammy or bluish skin. These can be signs of alcohol poisoning. Never leave them alone to sleep it off.
A gentle next step
Wellthy Psychiatry offers judgment-free, LGBTQ+ affirming care by telehealth across California. A free 15-minute phone consult is an easy way to see if we’re a good fit.
This article is for general education and isn’t medical advice. If you’re in crisis, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or call 911.
About the author
Earl Johns, MSN, PMHNP-BC
Board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner · UCSF-trained · Founder of Wellthy Psychiatry & Wellness
Earl provides LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent-affirming psychiatric care, blending medication management, therapy and whole-person approaches. His background includes inpatient psychiatry and community mental health at Glenn County Behavioral Health and Equity Health, a federally qualified health center. He sees clients in San Francisco and by telehealth across California.
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