Heavy Alcohol Use Causes Long-Term Brain Damage

People in this stage have more severe memory loss and find daily tasks to be more difficult. People may start to forget family members and close friends and may find it harder to communicate. They may also start to hear, see or believe things that are not true. Long-term alcohol misuse can damage the cerebellum, the part of the brain responsible for coordination and balance. As a result, unsteady gait, frequent stumbling, and difficulty with tasks requiring fine motor skills are common.

Heavy Drinking and Risk of Dementia

This is because alcohol damages the part of the brain that controls balance, co-ordination and posture. The symptoms of alcohol-related ‘dementia’ can change a lot from person to person. If a person with the condition has a brain scan, it will often show that some areas of the brain have shrunk much more than others. The person may have memory loss and difficulty thinking things through. They may have problems with more complex tasks, such as managing their finances. Prompt treatment with thiamine (vitamin B1) for people with Wernicke encephalopathy can potentially prevent or lessen the development of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

Diagnosis

Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of preventable sight loss among people in mid-life. It damages the retina — the part of the eye which turns light into electrical signals for our brains to process. Metformin, which is a medication typically taken for type 2 diabetes, is thought to reduce the risk of developing dementia. This is probably because when type 2 diabetes is well controlled, there is less chance of developing heart disease or having a stroke, both of which are linked to dementia. Some people with Huntington’s disease go on to develop dementia in the later stages. Diets that are high in unhealthy fats, sugar and processed foods increase the risk of heart disease, high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease, which are all linked to dementia.

Which questions should I ask my healthcare provider?

• Despite some claims, drinking alcohol in moderation has not been shown to offer significant protection against developing dementia.
• Some experts think that a person can be assessed for alcohol-related ‘dementia’ while they are still drinking too much, as long as they aren’t intoxicated at the time of the assessment.
• They will also take a patient’s history, perform a physical exam, and conduct lab tests.

While normal aging causes mild cognitive decline, alcohol misuse accelerates and exacerbates these changes, leading to severe memory loss and cognitive impairments. Chronic drinking increases the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia. It often includes physical therapy for coordination issues, cognitive exercises for memory improvement, and psychological counseling to support emotional well-being.

Seeking Alcoholism Treatment

Participants’ brains in the study were found with reduced white and grey matter following moderate alcohol consumption, drinking three units of alcohol per day over a month. Research indicates a strong link between heavy drinking and increased risk of cognitive decline. A balanced diet supports brain health and helps Alcohol Use Disorder repair damage caused by alcohol misuse. Accessing rehab typically starts with a consultation with a healthcare professional or an addiction specialist. They can provide referrals to reputable facilities, whether they are inpatient or outpatient programs.

What are alcohol-related dementia treatments?

Prevention is the key to reducing the risk of any major health problems and psychosocial consequences of heavy drinking. If you have difficulty controlling your alcohol use and want help, there are many treatment options and resources to help you through your journey toward sobriety and wellness. Quitting drinking will prevent additional loss of brain function and damage.

Rehabilitation methods to change behaviors and lower the risks

But there’s no way to reverse the brain damage from alcohol-related dementia. The best way to prevent alcohol-related dementia is to avoid drinking too much alcohol. Talk can alcohol cause dementia to a healthcare provider or a loved one if you’re worried you’re drinking too much. Alcohol-related dementia usually affects people between the ages of 40 and 50 who have been drinking heavily for years.

• People who are addicted to alcohol are also much less likely to have a balanced diet.
• Neither of these are actual types of dementia, because you cannot get better from dementia, and there is some chance of recovery in both of these conditions.
• Thiamine is essential for brain health, and a thiamine deficiency can lead to permanent brain damage.
• We depend on being able to hear what is said or happening around us for our thought processes and memory formation.
• Insufficient sleep and poor sleep quality can lead to a build-up of proteins called amyloids in the brain, which may increase the risk of dementia.

Risk factors for developing dementia

Alcohol consumption and addiction can pose a variety of health problems, including memory and cognitive issues that mimic the symptoms of dementia. According to the Alzheimer’s society, Excessive alcohol consumption over a lengthy time period can lead to brain damage, and may increase your risk of developing dementia. Dementia from alcohol, often referred to as alcohol-related dementia (ARD), is a condition caused by long-term alcohol misuse. It falls under the category of alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD) and is characterized by cognitive impairments that resemble other forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia. This guide explores the damaging effects of alcohol on the brain, the symptoms, causes, and treatment options, and offers practical advice for prevention and support. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals.