The Truth about Alcohol Related Brain Damage

Have you heard about the effects of alcohol on the brain? Many of us know that alcohol has many different qualities, including the ability to damage our minds. But alcohol is one of the most widely used psychoactive substances globally, and its consumption has been linked to various health problems. One of the most severe health problems is brain damage. Alcohol-Related Brain Damage (ARBD) can manifest itself in various ways, such as impaired memory, attention, and executive functioning, as well as damage to the cerebellum and brainstem.

Let’s discuss what this condition is, how alcohol can cause it, the types, the impact, diagnosis and treatment options to help you manage if you have been diagnosed with ARBD.

Alcohol-related Brain Damage (ARBD): What Is It and Does It Affect?

Alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD) is a general term used to describe the damage caused to the brain as a result of prolonged alcohol consumption. ARBD is a chronic condition that is characterised by a range of symptoms, including impaired memory, attention, and executive functioning, as well as damage to the cerebellum and brainstem.

ARBD can affect anyone who consumes alcohol regularly, regardless of age, gender, or background. It is similar to an addiction – several factors can affect the results on the brain, such as the amount of alcohol consumed, the duration of alcohol consumption, and individual susceptibility, can increase the risk of ARBD.

How Alcohol Causes Brain Damage

The liver plays a crucial role in processing alcohol, but excessive drinking (binge drinking) can overload its ability to process alcohol, leading to spikes in blood alcohol content. As a result, too much alcohol travels to other parts of the body, including the brain. The brain is made up of over 100 billion interconnected neurons that work together to control various bodily functions, such as movement, memory, and cognition. However, as a toxic substance, alcohol can damage, or even kill, these neurons and other brain cells.

Overconsumption of alcoholic beverages, can cause the neurons to shrink and die, leading to a reduction in brain mass. Inflammation in the brain is another possible outcome leading to damage to the blood vessels and increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier. This increased permeability allows harmful substances to enter the brain, leading to further damage. Alcohol can also disrupt the communication between neurons, affecting cognitive and behavioural processes. Chronic or heavy alcohol consumption can lead to changes in brain chemistry, leading to a higher risk of mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety.

Types of Alcohol-Related Brain Disease

There are a number of conditions which can result either from genetic predispositions or other developments within your body and medical history. However, there are clear links that allow us to conclude that alcohol can negatively affect your attempts to heal or delay their onset. Here are some of the conditions often linked to excessive drinking:

Dementia

Dementia is a brain condition that causes problems with memory, language, and reasoning. It usually gets worse over time. Dementia is often associated with getting older, but it can happen to people of any age who have been drinking too much alcohol for a long time. Studies have shown that chronic alcohol abuse can damage the brain’s white matter, which is responsible for transmitting signals between neurons. This damage can lead to problems with memory, executive function, and other cognitive processes. Chronic alcohol abuse can also cause oxidative stress and inflammation, which can further damage brain cells and contribute to the development of dementia.

The specific type of dementia that is associated with alcohol-related brain damage is known as alcoholic dementia. Impairments characterise this type of dementia in memory, learning, attention, and judgement. It can also cause problems with language, visual-spatial abilities, and executive function. In some cases, alcoholic dementia may be accompanied by Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome, a combination of two conditions caused by thiamine deficiency. Research has shown that the risk of developing alcoholic dementia is directly related to the amount and duration of alcohol abuse. Heavy drinking can cause significant damage to the brain over time, leading to irreversible cognitive decline. However, even moderate drinking can increase the risk of developing dementia, especially if other risk factors, such as age or genetics, are present.

It is important to note that alcohol-related dementia can be difficult to diagnose, as the symptoms may be like those of other types of dementia or cognitive impairment. Therefore, a thorough medical evaluation, including your history of alcohol use, is necessary to make an accurate diagnosis.

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (WKS)

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (WKS), also called an amnestic syndrome, is alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD) commonly associated with chronic alcohol abuse. WKS is two separate but connected forms of dementia, Wernicke’s encephalopathy and Korsakoff’s syndrome, which often occur together in patients with an alcohol use disorder (AUD).

Individuals with AUD are at risk of developing WKS due to a poor diet, which often leads to a thiamine deficiency. Alcohol blocks the body’s ability to absorb or use thiamine, a vital nutrient for the brain’s proper functioning. Nearly 80% of people with an AUD have a thiamine deficiency, and after years of heavy drinking, many will develop brain damage like WKS. Wernicke’s encephalopathy is the acute form of WKS, characterised by symptoms such as confusion, loss of muscle coordination, and vision changes. If left untreated, it can progress to Korsakoff’s syndrome, a chronic form of WKS, which can cause severe memory problems, confabulation, and a lack of insight.

Confabulation is a condition where a person makes up stories or experiences to fill in memory gaps. In the case of Korsakoff’s syndrome, this happens because the person cannot remember recent events or conversations. A lack of insight refers to the inability to recognise or understand one’s condition, making treating alcohol conditions more challenging.

Unfortunately, WKS is a progressive disease that can lead to severe disability and death. At the Providence Project, we focus on helping you reclaim your health and life to the best possible condition you can achieve. This means we will fully collaborate with your treatment specialists who care for ongoing brain conditions. Our alcoholism treatment, which also considers WKS, typically involves thiamine replacement therapy to correct the deficiency and supportive care to manage symptoms and complications. However, please provide us with the contacts of your current treatment provider upon your admission, so we can discuss our collaborative efforts with them.

More Common Brain Conditions Linked to Drinking

1. Increased Risk of Head Injuries: Drinking can increase the risk of head injuries due to impaired balance, coordination, and judgement. Consequentially, it can also lead to falls, which can cause head injuries that may result in long-term brain damage.
2. Low Levels of Thiamine (Vitamin B1): Thiamine is an essential vitamin that plays a crucial role in the proper functioning of the brain and nervous system. Drinking too much alcoholic beverages can cause low levels of thiamine, leading to a variety of neurological problems such as memory loss, confusion, and muscle weakness.
3. Damage to Blood Vessels: Heavy drinking can damage blood vessels in the brain, leading to reduced blood flow and oxygen supply. This can cause cognitive impairment, including problems with memory, attention, and decision-making.
4. Damage to Nerve Cells: Alcohol is a toxic substance that can damage nerve cells in the brain. This can cause a variety of neurological problems, including memory loss, difficulty with speech and language, and problems with balance and coordination. Over time, alcohol-related brain damage can become permanent and irreversible.

Diagnosing the Condition

Diagnosing ARBD can be challenging, as the symptoms of ARBD can be similar to those of other conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. However, several tests can be used to diagnose ARBD, including neurological exams, blood tests, toxicology exams and brain imaging scans.

If you are struggling with alcohol consumption, contact the Providence Project. We have helped thousands of people get better and take control over their drinking. We can help you and your GP discover underlying health conditions and indicate any ongoing processes that are due to the amount of alcohol in your blood. We understand that many still put stigma over the subject of alcohol rehabilitation, but your health is more important than these people. We want to assure you that our centre is here for you, and your loved ones, and we can admit you as soon as today.

Treatment for Alcohol-Related Brain Damage

Alcohol detox is the most effective way to prevent further damage and begin the healing process. Detoxification is necessary to rid the body of harmful substances, and it should be done under the guidance of medical professionals. It can also help your trauma specialist, radiologist or another medical speciality doctor define your current condition’s causes and consequences.

Once the detox process is complete, we offer rehabilitative treatment for alcoholism. While you and your medical doctors focus on diagnosing the harm alcohol has done to your physique, the Providence team can help you get a new point of view on the causes of your drinking. We also provide accessibility rooms and activities in case your ARBD obstructs your movement or can lead to sudden changes in your health.

For those with alcohol-related dementia, hepatic encephalopathy, or Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), early diagnosis and lifestyle changes may even reverse the deterioration. Our addiction experts are ready to work with you to help you heal from the harmful habit while supporting your MD’s efforts to stop the early onset of long-term ARBD.