Can alcohol cause dementia? Heavy drinking is well known for its negative effects on both the mind and body, but its impact on brain health is particularly concerning. Research shows that excessive alcohol consumption can increase the risk of cognitive decline and conditions like alcohol-related dementia (ARD) and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Over time, chronic alcohol use may damage brain cells, impair memory, and lead to long-term neurological issues. Understanding the connection between alcohol and dementia is crucial for making informed choices about brain health.
If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction, Live Oaks Wellness is here to help. Call us today or verify your insurance to learn more about our personalized treatment options and start your journey toward recovery.
How Does Alcohol Affect the Brain?
Alcohol is a depressant that initially functions as a stimulant.
Early effects such as increased talkativeness and decreased inhibitions seem to be related to alcohol’s ability to elevate dopamine levels in certain regions of the brain.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter (chemical messenger) that influences a range of functions, including mood, memory, learning, and motivation. It is sometimes referred to as a “feel good” brain chemical because of its mood-boosting capabilities.
Eventually, though, alcohol will begin to act more like a depressant. It will slow the functioning of the brain and central nervous system, which can lead to effects such as confusion, slurred speech, slowed reactions, and impaired coordination. Long-term effects of alcohol consumption may also increase the risk of other serious health concerns, such as alcohol-induced diabetes.
Can Alcohol Cause Dementia?
On a one-time basis, the types of effects described in the previous section are unlikely to cause extensive harm to the brain or other organs. But if a person abuses alcohol on a regular basis for an extended period, they may be at risk for lasting damage.
How bad can this damage become? Can alcohol cause dementia?
Yes, alcohol can cause dementia and other serious cognitive concerns that are collectively referred to as alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD).
Alcohol-related dementia – which is sometimes called alcohol-induced major cognitive disorder – is a particularly harsh type of ARBD.
What Are the Signs of Alcohol-Related Dementia?
Dementia is characterized by progressive dysfunction in areas such as memory, reasoning, language, and mood.
When someone develops dementia caused by alcohol, their first symptoms are usually minor. However, over time, the number and intensity of these symptoms can become debilitating. The types of symptoms a person experiences can vary from one individual to the next.
Common signs of dementia due to alcohol abuse include:
- Changes in speech patterns
- Irritability and agitation
- Mood swings
- Lack of motivation
- Poor decision-making
- Being easily distracted
- Difficulty organizing and planning
- Memory problems
- Impaired balance and coordination
- Neglecting basic tasks such as eating or personal hygiene
- Confusion and disorientation
- Inability to recognize friends and family members
As noted earlier in this post, alcohol-related brain damage isn’t limited to dementia. Another type of ARBD with effects similar to dementia is known as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS).
WKS occurs in two distinct stages: Wernicke’s encephalopathy and Korsakoff’s psychosis.
Wernicke’s encephalopathy includes symptoms such as:
- Confusion
- Tremors
- Impaired balance
- Diminished muscle coordination
- Abnormal eye movements
- Double vision
If treated in a timely manner, many symptoms of Wernicke’s encephalopathy can be reversed. However, if a person does not receive proper care, their condition will progress to Korsakoff’s psychosis, at which point the damage is irreversible.
Symptoms of Korsakoff’s psychosis can include:
- Inability to form new memories
- Difficulty recalling older memories
- Confabulation, which involves unconsciously making up stories to fill in memory gaps
- Problems with focus, planning, and organizing
- Auditory and/or visual hallucinations
Left untreated, both alcohol-caused dementia and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome can be fatal.
Who Is at Risk of Alcohol-Related Dementia?
A person’s risk of dementia can be influenced by a variety of factors, including age and gender, genetic variations, certain medical conditions, and behaviors such as smoking and excessive drinking.
In May 2024, the journal Alcohol Research: Current Reviews published a review that involved about 400 previously published studies on alcohol use and dementia. Information in that review included:
- A study from Denmark suggested that dementia is twice as common among adults who have alcohol use disorder (alcohol addiction) than among those who aren’t dependent on alcohol.
- A U.S. study of female military veterans ages 55 and above found that dementia affected 3.7% of those with alcohol use disorder and 1.1% of those who were not addicted to alcohol.
- A study from the UK determined that people who have more than 14 drinks per week are 1.2 times more likely to develop dementia than are individuals who have 14 or fewer drinks every seven days.
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome results from a lack of thiamine (vitamin B1). Alcohol abuse can contribute to this problem in two ways:
- The human body does not naturally produce thiamine, so people have to get it through food such as fish, whole grains, fortified cereal, peas, beans, and yogurt. Compulsive alcohol use is often associated with poor nutritional habits, which can lead to thiamine deficiency.
- Alcohol-related malnutrition can also have a negative effect on the body’s ability to absorb thiamine, so even if someone with alcohol use disorder consumes food that contain this nutrient, it may pass through the digestive tract and be eliminated.
Is Dementia Caused by Alcohol Treatable?
The effectiveness of treatment for dementia that was caused by alcohol can depend on the type and severity of symptoms, how long the person has been experiencing these symptoms, and what type of damage led to the onset of the condition.
In some cases, treatment may be able to ease or eliminate certain symptoms of alcohol-related dementia. In other cases, treatment may not be able to reverse the effects a person has already experienced, but it could prevent or at least slow the progression of these effects. The alcohol recovery timeline varies from person to person, but detox and long-term sobriety are often essential steps toward improving cognitive function.
For any treatment to be effective, a person will likely have to make certain lifestyle adjustments, such as ending their alcohol use. If they are unable to stop drinking on their own, their treatment plan may need to include detox and therapy to help them build a foundation for lifelong sobriety.
Find Alcohol Addiction Treatment in the San Francisco Bay Area
Live Oaks Wellness offers detox, residential rehab, and outpatient programming for adults who have become dependent on alcohol and other substances. We also serve patients whose struggles with addiction are accompanied by certain co-occurring disorders. Our treatment options are tailored to individuals at different stages of recovery, whether they need intensive inpatient care or a step-down program like detox vs. inpatient rehab.
Don’t let alcoholism rob you of one more today. With our help and a concerted effort on your part, you can quit drinking and begin to live a much healthier life in recovery.
To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free consultation, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.
