Alcohol consumption can have a significant impact on memory retention. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) [2], alcohol can affect both the short-term and long-term memory. The more a person drinks, the more significant the impact on their memory can be. Short-term memory loss can occur after just one or two drinks, while long-term memory loss can result from chronic heavy drinking.

Alcohol impairs the brain's ability to form new memories and retrieve old ones. It can also interfere with the process of memory consolidation, which is the process of transferring short-term memories to long-term storage [2]. This can lead to gaps in memory, difficulty remembering events, and difficulty learning new information.

Additionally, alcohol can also cause blackouts, which are periods of time where a person cannot recall events that occurred while they were intoxicated. Blackouts occur when alcohol interferes with the brain's ability to create new memories [3].

Overall, alcohol can have a significant impact on memory retention. It can impair the brain's ability to form and retrieve memories, and chronic heavy drinking can lead to long-term memory loss. It is important to be aware of the potential effects of alcohol on memory and to drink responsibly.

Sources:
[2] National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2003). Alcohol and Memory. Alcohol Research & Health, 27(2), 186-196. https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh27-2/186-196.htm
[3] Sierra by the Sea. (2021). How Drinking Affects Memory. https://www.sierrabythesea.com/alcohol/articles/how-drinking-affects-memory/