Alcohol-Related Brain Damage and Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome

People understand that drinking alcohol can be immediately risky. However, they might not be aware of the long-term harm it can do to the brain. This brain damage can be irreversible.

Studies have observed significant changes in people’s brains who have consumed alcohol over various durations and quantities. People who drink lightly or occasionally may have temporary changes in their brain that go away quickly. However, those who have alcohol use disorder may have more severe and long-lasting changes in their brain structure and function.

Chronic, heavy drinking affects the brain and causes physical and mental health issues. These changes can also result in long-lasting brain damage. People who got help for alcohol problems and stayed sober for a year often showed improvement in brain damage.

Alcohol-Related Effects on the Brain

Upon entering the body, alcohol raises dopamine levels, leading to the relaxed and euphoric sensations often experienced with moderate alcohol intake. This increase not only has physical ramifications but also fosters a psychological link between alcohol consumption and pleasure.

Dopamine serves as a crucial neurotransmitter and hormone, facilitating communication between the brain and body while inducing various chemical responses and emotions among the myriad substances produced by the brain to manage both biological processes and neural activities.

Dopamine plays a key role in regulating several functions, including:

• Motivation
• Experiencing reward and pleasure
• Controlling mood
• Facilitating memory and cognitive processes
• Coordinating movements
• Regulating sleep patterns
• Influencing sexual desire
• Aiding in lactation
• Managing digestion processes

Dopamine is a critical neurotransmitter that alcohol affects, leading to both its beneficial and adverse impacts. With consistent moderate to heavy consumption, the brain starts depending on alcohol to supply dopamine, reducing its natural production. Consequently, upon stopping drinking, there’s a significant dip in dopamine levels until the brain resumes its normal production. Additionally, binge drinking can result in a temporary reduction in dopamine levels in the subsequent days.

Reduced levels of dopamine can lead to various adverse effects, such as:

• Depression
• Fluctuations in mood
• Loss of memory
• Interruption of normal sleep patterns
• Sexual dysfunction
• Constipation
• Trembling
• A heightened risk of developing Parkinson’s disease

When people drink a lot of alcohol and suddenly stop, they can experience alcohol withdrawal syndrome due to low dopamine levels. This condition can vary from mild symptoms to potentially fatal outcomes if not appropriately treated.

Does Alcohol Kill Brain Cells?

Alcohol leads to the death of brain cells; however, the full impact is more complex. Alcohol can seriously harm the brain by causing visible shrinkage or death in certain areas in heavy drinkers. This damage can be permanent and have long-lasting effects on cognitive function.

It’s important to know the dangers of drinking too much alcohol and to ask for help if you need it. Drinking in moderation is key to maintaining brain health and overall well-being.

The brain is composed of gray and white matter. Gray matter contains the cell bodies, while white matter consists of the pathways through which these cells communicate. Brain scans of heavy alcohol users often show a decrease in both gray and white matter volume. Moreover, alcohol can render neurons and receptors less active or completely inactive.

Stopping alcohol can help people regain lost brain matter and repair damage to neurons and receptors, leading to positive changes. Still, the risk of permanent brain damage escalates with prolonged drinking periods or frequent relapses.

Effects of Alcohol on the Brain

Drinking several alcoholic beverages on one occasion can prompt immediate and temporary cognitive impairments. The escalation in blood alcohol concentration (BAC) heightens these effects, potentially leading to dangerous outcomes. Typical short-term manifestations, including slurred speech, impaired coordination, slow response times, and nausea, generally diminish once the body has completely processed and expelled the alcohol.

Long-Term Effects

As generally understood, long-term refers to a period extending beyond one year. Chronic alcohol consumption can lead to enduring and, in some cases, irreversible consequences.

The long-term neurological consequences of alcohol use include:

• Deterioration in mental health
• Brain injuries
• Decline in brain function
• Emotional instability
• Diminished attention span
• Impulsivity and flawed decision-making
• Memory loss
• Sleep disturbances
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Decreased cognitive abilities
• Impaired coordination
• Unsteady balance
• Trembling of hands and legs
• Confusion
• Continuous mental haze
• Aphasia, or challenges in comprehending and articulating language
• Alcohol-related dementias
• Alcohol-related brain injury

Some health problems caused by alcohol can get better or go away if you stop drinking and get medical help. But it’s harder to recover as you get older.

Wernicke Korsakoff Syndrome

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome, also called “wet brain,” includes two disorders: Wernicke’s encephalopathy and Korsakoff’s psychosis. These are two distinct medical conditions.

Drinking alcohol for a long time can harm your health. One potential consequence is Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (WKS), a cognitive disorder. WKS can’t be cured, and it is a life-long condition.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) says that 80% of people with alcohol addiction don’t have enough vitamin B1, also known as thiamine. This happens because of poor eating habits and alcohol’s impact on nutrient absorption in the body.

Wernicke’s encephalopathy usually starts suddenly and doesn’t last long. People with Wernicke’s encephalopathy may have jerky and uncontrolled eye movements, double vision, muscle weakness or shaking, and severe confusion. For instance, someone might get confused and struggle to find their way out of a room. They may also have trouble remembering how to walk or pick up a glass.

Korsakoff’s psychosis develops from Wernicke’s encephalopathy and becomes a long-term condition. The primary indication of Korsakoff’s psychosis is difficulty with short-term memory; individuals often forget recent events and conversations, sometimes within just an hour. Additional symptoms include irritability, quick frustration, trouble learning, lack of coordination, and hallucinations.

The NIAAA says 25% of people with Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome will need lifelong care due to severe debilitation.

What Happens When You Stop Drinking?

The initial experience for most people with alcohol use disorders upon stopping drinking is alcohol withdrawal syndrome.

Alcohol withdrawal happens when the brain is shocked from not getting the alcohol it needs for balance. Due to its potential life-threatening nature, medical experts advise undergoing medical detox to achieve the best outcome.

As the brain starts to adapt and recover from alcohol absence, it will gradually resume natural chemical production. However, without support and professional assistance, the initial adjustment phase can be difficult for individuals who may undergo significant physical and mental health alterations.

Brain scans of people who have been in recovery for at least a year show significant regrowth of brain matter. When the brain heals, patients may notice improvements in thinking, memory, focus, mental health, and overall physical health.

Alcohol Addiction Detox and Treatment at White Oak Recovery Center

Recovery from alcohol addiction may seem daunting, but it is achievable.

At White Oak Recovery Center, we are experienced and licensed to address the effects of alcohol addiction in a compassionate way. We provide on-site medical detox to help you safely and comfortably go through withdrawal. We also offer evidence-based talk and behavioral therapies to help you transition to a life without alcohol.

The initial steps toward recovery are within reach. Contact our treatment specialists today with any questions or concerns. They are eager to help you get on the path to living rooted in recovery.