Drowsiness and impaired cognitive functioning are the two dominant features of alcohol hangover.

Alcohol-induced hangover, defined by a series of symptoms, is the most commonly reported consequence of excessive alcohol consumption. Alcohol hangovers contribute to workplace absenteeism, impaired job performance, reduced productivity, poor academic achievement, and may compromise potentially dangerous daily activities such as driving a car or operating heavy machinery. These socioeconomic consequences and health risks of alcohol hangover are much higher when compared to various common diseases and other health risk factors. Nevertheless, unlike alcohol intoxication the hangover has received very little scientific attention and studies have often yielded inconclusive results. Systematic research is important to increase our knowledge on alcohol hangover and its consequences. This consensus paper of the Alcohol Hangover Research Group discusses methodological issues that should be taken into account when performing future alcohol hangover research. Future research should aim to (1) further determine the pathology of alcohol hangover, (2) examine the role of genetics, (3) determine the economic costs of alcohol hangover, (4) examine sex and age differences, (5) develop common research tools and methodologies to study hangover effects, (6) focus on factor that aggravate hangover severity (e.g., congeners), and (7) develop effective hangover remedies.

The AHS, HSS, and AHSS all seem appropriate for application in hangover research. The use of a one-item hangover scale is not recommended.

Memory and psychomotor performance is impaired on the morning after heavy 'social' drinking.

No abstract

Heavy alcohol consumption lowers mood, disrupts sleep, increases anxiety and produces physical symptoms, emotional symptoms and symptoms of fatigue throughout the next morning.

Alcohol consumption has a negative impact on some but not all facets of attentional processing the morning after a normal nights drinking.

Driving with a hangover is a common phenomenon, and professional drivers acknowledge that their driving is impaired. Therefore, future experimental research should examine the magnitude of impairment while driving with an alcohol hangover.