Effects of hangover 'can remain after alcohol detox'

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by Change | 21 Dec 2009

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Hangovers are related to chemicals found in drinks rather than the alcohol itself, meaning people could suffer from impaired judgement after drinking even if they feel ok.

Heavy drinkers have impaired judgement for a significant amount of time after drinking alcohol, even if they do not feel the effects of a hangover, it has been claimed.

According to research from Brown University, the severity of a hangover is dependent on the type of chemicals contained within a drink - with darker beverages tending to cause more severe effects the next day.

However, the team of scientists, led by Dr Damaris Rohsenow, explained that the impaired judgement and performance that follow a night of heavy drinking are caused by the alcohol itself - meaning that people will do badly for a prolonged period after drinking, even if they have not suffered from a hangover.

The research team studied the sleeping patterns of 95 participants who were given alcoholic beverages to consume in the evening. Their ability to function was then tested the following morning.

Those given alcohol did much worse on impairment tests compared to participants who did not drink, regardless of the extent of their hangovers, which varied depending on the beverage that had been consumed.

Dr Rohsenow said: "While alcohol in the beverage did increase how hung over people reported feeling the next morning compared to drinking a placebo, bourbon made people feel even worse than vodka did."

According to charity Alcohol Concern, people in the UK tend to drink much more than they think they do, with the average person drinking a bottle of wine a week more than they admit.

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