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Can drinking alcohol affect your brain?
What is alcohol-related brain damage (WKS)?
Can the brain repair itself after alcohol use disorder?
Does quitting alcohol affect brain function?
Can alcohol cause neurologic disorders?
There are a number of different symptoms of alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD) but with the right support and treatment many of these can improve. Read all our factsheets and publications on alcohol-related brain damage in one place.
- Diagnosis and Treatment
There are a number of different symptoms of alcohol-related...
- Diagnosis and Treatment
- What is alcohol-related neurologic disease?
- Neurologic effects of alcohol
- Types and symptoms of alcohol-related neurologic disease
- What causes alcohol-related neurologic disease?
- How is alcohol-related neurologic disease diagnosed?
- How is alcohol-related neurologic disease treated?
- What can you expect in the long term?
- How can alcohol-related neurologic disease be prevented?
- Takeaway
Alcohol-related neurologic disease refers to a range of conditions caused by alcohol intake that affect the nerves and nervous system. Neurologic disorders can include fetal alcohol syndrome, dementia, and alcoholic neuropathy.
Alcohol is often consumed as a social beverage, but there are risks associated with it. Drinking alcohol can have a negative effect on the body, particularly on the nerves and muscle cells.
Alcohol is also considered an addictive substance. Consuming too much, especially over months or years, can result in severe symptoms.
Keep reading to learn about the different types of alcohol-related neurologic disease and its signs and symptoms.
Aside from intoxication, or drunkenness, drinking too much alcohol in a short time or over time can cause other conditions, including:
•memory loss
•seizures
•headaches
•memory blackouts
•coordination issues
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS)
This condition is caused by brain damage due to a thiamine, or vitamin B1, deficiency. Thiamine deficiency is common in people who misuse alcohol. WKS is a combination of two different neurological diseases:
Alcoholic neuropathy
Alcoholic neuropathy occurs when too much alcohol damages the peripheral nerves. This can be permanent, as alcohol can cause changes to the nerves themselves. Deficiencies in B6 and B12, thiamine, folate, niacin, and vitamin E can make it worse. These vitamins are all needed for proper nerve function. Symptoms can include: •numbness, tingling, and prickly sensations in the arms and legs •muscle spasms and cramps •muscle weakness •movement disorders •urinary and bowel problems like incontinence, constipation, and diarrhea •sexual dysfunction, such as impotence •difficulty swallowing •impaired speech •dizziness •vomiting and nausea
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome occurs when someone who has been drinking excessive amounts of alcohol for an extended period of time suddenly stops drinking or reduces their intake. Symptoms can develop just 5 hours after the last drink and persist for weeks. Common symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can include: •anxiety •depression •fatigue •mood changes •shakiness •nightmares •headache •sweating •nausea and vomiting •insomnia A more serious type of withdrawal is called delirium tremens. This can cause: •confusion •sudden mood changes •hallucinations •fever •hyperthermia •seizures These symptoms can occur in addition to the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
Excessive consumption of alcohol causes alcohol-related neurologic disease. When you consume alcohol, it’s absorbed into your bloodstream from the stomach and the small intestine. It’s then broken down by the liver and expelled from the body.
The liver can only break down alcohol in small amounts at a time. The alcohol will continue to circulate in the bloodstream and eventually affect other organs.
Alcohol can have significant negative effects on the central nervoussystem (CNS). The CNS includes the brain and spinal cord. Drinking alcohol can also have negative effects on the peripheral nervous system (PNS). This includes the nerves that send signals to the muscles and organs.
How alcohol affects the brain and nervous system can depend on:
•how often a person drinks
•how much a person drinks
Early diagnosis can help prevent permanent neurological damage. A doctor will take a thorough health history and have you complete questionnaires related to alcohol intake to help diagnose these conditions.
It’s important to fill out questionnaires about alcohol intake and nutrition honestly. Diagnosis depends largely on noticing the signs of alcohol misuse. These may include:
•neglecting major responsibilities at work, school, or at home
•drinking while driving
•arrests for driving drunk or fighting while drunk
•inability to limit drinking
Avoiding alcohol is the best way to treat these conditions and relieve symptoms. The earlier you stop intake, the more likely you are to recover.
You may need inpatient rehab or medical care, especially if you exhibit alcohol use disorder, alcohol dependence, or severe withdrawal symptoms. A good source of help is support from family and friends. Other support sources include:
•local Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) support groups
•national agencies
•helplines
Once you stop alcohol intake, a doctor can address your specific symptoms. Every person’s needs are different. Doctors tailor specific treatments and alcohol abstinence programs to the individual.
Your condition can get worse if you continue to drink alcohol. Permanent damage to the nervous system and other parts of the body may occur. This may lead to:
•disability
•chronic pain
•death
Completely avoiding alcohol and eating a balanced diet can help minimize damage. Your chances for recovery depend on how early the disease is diagnosed and how much damage has already occurred.
In a 2019 study, researchers showed that quitting alcohol had a positive effect on most people’s mental well-being. They noted the effect was particularly noticeable for women.
Doctors or family and friends can provide early intervention, which can help you avoid alcohol-related neurologic disease.
Steps you can take for prevention include:
•learning how much alcohol is considered too much
•limiting your daily alcohol intake to 1 drink or less for females, and 2 drinks or less for males, according to the CDC’s dietary guidelines for alcohol
•avoiding alcohol altogether
Ultimately, the best way to prevent alcohol-related neurologic disease is to not drink alcohol.
Alcohol misuse can lead to neurological damage that can affect multiple areas of a person’s health and well-being. The best way to avoid the issue is to limit alcoholic consumption to 2 or fewer drinks per day for males and 1 or fewer for females.
Several treatment options and interventions can help a person recover from alcohol dependence. Once a person stops using alcohol, they can often experience recovery from symptoms, though in some cases, some damage may be permanent.
- Jacquelyn Cafasso
Nov 9, 2023 · Alterations to brain structure and function during chronic alcohol use can make it tough for people to stop drinking, despite their best intentions. For instance, the prefrontal cortex – an area involved in planning and decision-making – may become less active, making it harder for people with AUD to make healthy decisions.
Alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD) is a brain disorder. It is caused by a person regularly drinking too much alcohol, or binge-drinking, over several years. There are different types of ARBD. People who get ARBD are generally aged between about 40 and 50.
There are a number of different symptoms of alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD) but with the right support and treatment many of these can improve.
Dec 14, 2021 · Alcohol and brain damage. Drinking alcohol can cause a shrinking of the brain, known as brain atrophy. Heavy drinking is a common cause, but moderate drinking can also lead to brain atrophy ...
What are the symptoms of alcohol-related 'dementia'? Symptoms include difficulties with: staying focused on a task without becoming distracted. solving problems, planning and organising. setting goals, making judgements and making decisions.
