Alcohol directly affects brain cells, which leads to impaired judgment, trouble making decisions, and loss of insight. In summary, long-term alcohol abuse can occasionally lead to dementia. Nutritional issues, which frequently accompany long-term alcohol abuse, might also contribute to dementia-related symptoms since vitamin deficiencies may adversely affect some areas of the brain. Alcohol abuse can eventually lead to symptoms similar to dementia. It may result in symptoms of dementia, such as forgetfulness, mood swings, and impaired judgment.
Causes for Alcohol Induced Dementia
That can cause permanent changes to your personality and your ability to think and use your body. Unfortunately, stigma surrounding the diagnosis keeps many people from talking to their clinicians when they notice signs of memory loss. Most notably, people who carry copies of the apoE gene in their DNA are at higher risk than others for Alzheimer disease, the most common cause of dementia. This study is not the first to project that the number of Americans with dementia is on the rise. Poorly controlled diabetes can lead to high blood sugar levels, which can damage blood vessels in the brain. If you have diabetes, it is important to ensure it is well managed.
Alcohol-Related Dementia: Causes, Symptoms, Stages & Treatment
Some of the common symptoms of alcohol-related ‘dementia’ may make it harder for a person to take part in an alcohol treatment programme. These symptoms can include denial, lack of insight and being impulsive. In order to make a diagnosis of alcohol-related ‘dementia’, a doctor may ask the person to do a paper-based test to check for problems with memory and thinking. A person with alcohol-related ‘dementia’ may be unsteady on their feet and more likely to fall over – even when they are sober. 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.
- Alcohol consumption at high doses damages brain cells, leading to structural and functional impairments.
- However, it can occur earlier or later depending on the amount of alcohol a person consumes.
- “There are lots of papers that show that non-whites have greater risk of getting dementia,” says Kristine Yaffe, a dementia researcher at the University of California, San Francisco.
Medical conditions associated with dementia
One unit is equivalent to a small glass of wine or a half pint of beer. A large study of 36,678 typically healthy middle-aged and older persons discovered similar associations between can alcoholism cause dementia regular alcohol intake and brain alterations 5. Alzheimer’s and alcohol-related dementia are comparable in that they both impair memory and cognitive function. Alcohol-related dementia can impair memory, learning, judgment, and other cognitive abilities 1.
What are alcohol-related dementia treatments?
If it is not adequately treated, it may lead to Korsakoff syndrome (or Korsakoff psychosis), which involves significant impairments of memory as well as delirium and hallucinations. Sometimes, noticeable personality changes take place, with increased agitation and anger, and a person can become almost unrecognizable to friends and family. Excessive drinking over a period of years may lead to a condition commonly known as alcoholic dementia, or alcohol-related dementia (ARD). In the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR), it is referred to as alcohol-induced major neurocognitive disorder.
It is never too late to start thinking about your brain health and taking steps to reduce your risk of dementia. This allows organs like the brain to get the oxygen and nutrients they need to work properly. When blood vessels are damaged, less blood reaches our brain cells, and over time they may die leading to conditions like vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s. Growing evidence suggests that air pollution, for example from heavy traffic, is an environmental risk factor for dementia.
- All of the information gathered during the diagnostic process will also help them rule out other types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia.
- No matter the duration, rehab can be an essential step toward regaining control over one’s life.
- These factors often work together to exacerbate brain damage over time, emphasizing the importance of addressing alcohol use early to prevent or slow the condition.
- You can also use their online chat feature for more personalised advice, including a self-assessment.
- Setting realistic goals and maintaining open communication with healthcare professionals can help manage expectations and ensure the best possible outcomes.
Along with memory issues, there are a host Alcoholics Anonymous of other cognitive issues. While Alcohol Induced Dementia shares similarities with other types of dementia, there are distinct differences in causes, progression, and treatment. If you or someone you know shows these symptoms, seek professional help promptly. Drinking lots of alcohol makes it harder for our bodies to absorb and store vitamin B1.