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Dementia describes several diseases that affect memory, thoughts and the ability to carry out everyday tasks. In the United States, approximately 10.9% of people are affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other memory-related illnesses. While dementia is often linked with aging, it can also be caused by alcoholism. Alcohol-induced dementia (AID) results from years of heavy drinking, which leads to brain damage. Unlike Alzheimer’s, AID is preventable and partially reversible if caught early. Once severe brain damage happens, the effects are usually permanent. For those struggling with addiction, it’s important to understand the connection between alcohol and brain damage, including conditions like Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
How Alcohol Affects the Brain: Causes and Mechanisms
Long-term alcohol use can cause both physical and mental impairments within the brain. Several of these can lead to alcohol-induced dementia.
- Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome
Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (WKS) is a severe neurological disorder that affects about 2% of the population. Caused by two different medical conditions, WKS is the result of brain damage due to excessive alcohol use and vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency. Alcohol use disorder reduces the stomach’s ability to absorb thiamine from food, which increases the chances of developing WKS. WKS causes confusion, memory loss and lack of coordination. - Neurotoxicity
Neurotoxicity is damage caused to the brain or peripheral nervous system when it’s exposed to something toxic, such as alcohol abuse. Someone who drinks too much may experience a loss of white and gray matter in the brain, especially in the frontal lobe, which is responsible for problem-solving, impulse control and decision-making. - Disruption of Neurotransmitters
Chemical messengers in the brain, such as GABA, serotonin, dopamine and glutamate, help regulate multiple bodily functions, including memory and cognition. The effects of long-term alcohol use include disrupting the balance of these neurotransmitters, which can interfere with short-term and long-term memory. - Brain Inflammation
Alcohol use disorder leads to inflammation in several areas of the brain, including the prefrontal cortex, which helps with decision-making. Inflammation can accelerate cell damage, which causes problems with memory. - Cerebrovascular Damage
Cerebrovascular refers to the brain, arteries and veins. Excessive alcohol use can cause high blood pressure and other cardiovascular issues that reduce blood flow to the brain. Reduced blood flow can lead to cerebrovascular damage, including stroke and cognitive impairment.
Symptoms of Alcohol-Induced Dementia
Alcohol-induced dementia can cause a number of mental and physical symptoms. Depending on the level of brain damage, they can vary in severity and may often mimic other conditions:
- Memory loss
- Increase in risky behaviors
- Poor decision-making
- Difficulty solving problems
- Lack of impulse control
- Language problems and comprehension
- Loss of coordination and motor skills
- Hallucinations
- Delusional thoughts
Long-Term Effects: The Link Between Alcohol and Brain Damage
Having an occasional drink after work with friends or a glass of wine after dinner likely won’t cause any lasting damage if you’re in good health. However, if you’re a regular heavy drinker, you’re at risk of a wide range of physical and mental illnesses. A heavy drinker is a woman who has eight or more drinks per week or a man who has 15 or more drinks per week.
- Alcohol and Brain Damage
Over time, heavy alcohol use can cause brain cells to die and tissues to shrink. This can lead to permanent and irreversible brain damage. - Mental Health Issues
Approximately 40% of all individuals who struggle with mental health disorders also have AUD. This includes depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts, which can lead to feelings of isolation and despair. - Memory Disorders
Prolonged alcohol use can increase the likelihood of dementia and other memory-related diseases, such as Alzheimer’s. - Liver Damage
The main role of your liver is to remove toxins from your body. If you drink excessively, your liver may not be able to remove toxins fast enough. This can eventually destroy your liver cells and lead to cirrhosis or scarring. - Cancer
When alcohol is metabolized in the body, it produces acetaldehyde, which damages DNA. The destruction of normal DNA can cause cell mutations that lead to cancer. Alcohol damages cells in your mouth and esophagus, as well as throughout the body and into the intestines. - Weakened Immune System
Studies have shown that drinking five to six drinks in a single night weakens the immune system for approximately 24 hours. This puts you at risk of colds, flu and infections. When you get sick, it can also make it much harder to recover from the illness.
Treatment and Management: How to Address Alcohol-Induced Dementia
Dealing with alcohol-induced dementia can be extremely tough. If you learn to recognize the symptoms and take action early, you can slow down and even reverse some of the symptoms. Consider some of the following treatment methods.
- Stop Drinking
The first step to recovery from alcohol abuse and AID is to stop drinking and seek help from a professional or a treatment facility. Depending on how long you’ve been drinking, you may need to go through medical detox and inpatient treatment to safely manage your withdrawal symptoms. - Focus on Diet and Nutrition
Because AID is caused in part by a lack of thiamine, proper nutrition is important. Be sure to eat a balanced diet that’s rich in thiamine sources, such as pork, eggs, liver and fish. - Cognitive and Speech Therapy
Cognitive and speech therapy is a program that helps address the areas of the brain responsible for memory, problem-solving and attention. This type of treatment has been very effective at treating individuals with brain injuries, Alzheimer’s, stroke and other neurological diseases. - Use of Medications
Several medications, such as donanemab and lecanemab, have been approved for the treatment of Alzheimer’s and other cognitive impairments. These medications might help alleviate some of the symptoms. Sometimes, these medications are prescribed along with antidepressants and antipsychotics, which may be used for behavioral issues. - Support Groups and Counseling
Individuals struggling with substance abuse and AID can benefit from counseling and support groups. These treatment options allow individuals to share experiences and speak to others who are going through similar circumstances.
Choosing FHE Health
If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol addiction or you suspect alcohol-induced dementia, contact one of our counselors at FHE Health to find out how we can help. We offer multiple treatment options to help get you on the path to recovery and can provide information on the link between alcohol and brain damage.
