Alcoholic hangover and performance: a review

Abstract

The study of alcoholic hangover is reviewed, with particular concern given to its effects upon skills performance. Different models of hangover, and the evidence gathered in their support, are surveyed. Several factors appear to contribute to hangover, and individuals may be differentially susceptible to these influences. The severity of hangover is affected by dose, coproducts of manufacture, and a number of psychological variables. Hangover is differentiated from post-intoxication effects on performance, and the results of a variety of studies on these effects are considered. Post-intoxication effects have been found in a variety of tasks, but no tasks have been consistently affected in a number of studies. This may reflect the fact that few studies have used the same tasks to assess performance. Proposed mechanisms of post-intoxication effects are considered, and the most consistent symptom accompanying impaired performance is found to be fatigue. This notion finds some support in electroencephalographic data collected during the period following intoxication.