A groundbreaking study shows that heavy drinking sessions impair cognition longer than many realize. Even the day after intoxication—when little to no alcohol remains in the bloodstream—deficits in attention, memory, and psychomotor skills like coordination and reaction speed persist compared to sober baselines. Experts emphasize the risks for post-hangover activities, including driving.
People often wait to drive until they think alcohol has cleared their system. Yet, these findings indicate cognitive functions critical for safe driving remain compromised. Moreover, while workplaces typically ban intoxication, few policies address next-day hangover effects.
This meta-analysis reviewed 770 articles on the topic.
