Can Alcohol Abuse Cause Dementia?

Drinking too much alcohol can cause many health problems. But, one serious concern is whether it can also harm the brain and lead to certain disorders, such as dementia.

This is an important issue to understand, especially for those who do drink or know someone who may struggle with controlling their alcohol consumption.

This blog explores how heavy drinking of alcohol might affect the brain over time.

 

What is Dementia?

Dementia is a serious health condition that affects the brain. The NHS defines it as a broad term used to describe the ongoing decline of the brain’s ability to function.

When someone has dementia, it affects a person in many ways. It becomes harder for the individual to be able to remember things, think clearly, and, eventually, take care of themselves. This happens because some parts of the brain start to work less well as they get older or damaged.

Types of Dementia

There are different kinds of dementia, and each one affects people in its own way.

Accounting for over 60% of diagnoses in the UK, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. In Alzheimer’s, the brain gradually loses its ability to function properly. This causes problems with memory and thinking that get worse over time.

Another type is called vascular dementia, and it can sometimes be caused by a stroke. A stroke can stop blood from getting to parts of the brain, which can damage brain cells. People with vascular dementia may have trouble making decisions or planning things.

Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) is linked to abnormal protein deposits in the brain called Lewy bodies. These deposits affect the brain’s ability to function normally and can lead to a variety of symptoms.

People with LBD might experience difficulty with their normal thinking and reasoning. They often have problems with understanding visual information, such as recognising faces.

LBD can also cause physical symptoms similar to what we see in Parkinson’s disease, such as stiff muscles, slow movement, and tremors. Another distinctive feature is that people with LBD may have vivid hallucinations, seeing or hearing things that aren’t there.

Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) is a less common condition (found in less than 30% of cases). It primarily affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, which are generally associated with personality, behaviour, and language.

FTD leads to significant changes in how a person behaves and interacts with others, which can be very difficult for families to manage. For example, the individual might display personality changes to the point where loved ones no longer recognise them. Changes in eating and drinking habits too, such as developing cravings for sweets or overeating, can also happen. Language problems are also typical, including difficulty speaking, understanding words, or even physically speaking.

 

Can Alcohol Abuse Cause Dementia?

Yes, drinking too much alcohol over a long time can lead to dementia.

When someone drinks a lot of alcohol for many years, it can damage their brain. This damage might make it harder for them to think clearly and remember things, which can lead to a type of dementia related to drinking too much alcohol, known as alcohol-related dementia or alcohol-related brain damage.

Those who drink alcohol to an excessive extent or have an alcohol addiction are also at an increased risk of developing other types of dementia, as well as other alcohol-related health problems.

 

The Difference Between Alcohol-related Dementia and Wernicke-Korsakoff’s Syndrome

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome is not a type of dementia, but it is a very similar condition. This condition is a severe memory disorder caused by a lack of vitamin B-1 (thiamine), which is most often related to long-term alcohol misuse.

The syndrome is actually two disorders: Wernicke’s encephalopathy and Korsakoff’s psychosis. Wernicke’s encephalopathy causes brain damage, leading to confusion, loss of muscle coordination, and problems with vision (e.g. double vision or eyelid drooping).

If untreated, it can lead to Korsakoff’s psychosis, which is caused by significant gaps in memory. This can lead to making up stories to fill those gaps. Treatment includes replacing thiamine and addressing the underlying cause to prevent further damage.

 

How Quickly Does Alcohol-Related Dementia Progress?

Unfortunately, there’s no solid answer to this question.

How quickly this disease progresses will ultimately depend on the person and their personal experience with this condition. Some will remain, for the most part, independent for many years after they receive a diagnosis. Others might require help as the disease progresses quickly in their case.

Alcohol-related dementia typically progresses in stages. Here’s an example overview of what this might look like:

• Early Stage: The person might start forgetting recent events or things that they do on a regular basis. They could have difficulty with names and words and may seem more withdrawn from those closest.
• Middle Stage: Memory issues become more pronounced, and the person may need help with daily activities, such as getting dressed, cleaning, walking the dog or cooking. They might get lost easily and show noticeable changes in personality and behaviour.
• Late Stage: In this stage, the person is likely to require full-time assistance. They might now have trouble recognising family and friends, significant difficulties with communication, and a general lack of awareness of their environment and experiences.

 

How Does Alcohol Affect the Brain?

Alcohol has significant effects on our brain, and it can alter both its very structure and ability to function.

Frequent and excessive alcohol consumption over the course of our lives can shrink certain brain regions. This structural change disrupts the communication pathways between neurons, which are the brain’s essential cells.

As a result, some research suggests that these alterations can impair cognitive functions, making it increasingly more difficult for individuals to process thoughts, make rational decisions, and retain memories.

 

Can the Damage Be Reversed?

Prevention is always best, as it’s tough to reverse the brain damage caused by alcohol-related dementia.

If the damage isn’t too severe, stopping drinking and improving your overall lifestyle can help. For people with Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome, making sure your body receives more thiamine can significantly improve some symptoms, but many times, the damage to the brain is permanent.

If you’re worried about alcohol-related dementia, the best thing you can do is keep an eye on how much you drink. Try to stick to recommended guidelines or even less.

If you’re finding that cutting back on alcohol feels tough for you, ask for help. There are a lot of support systems out there, and that’s something we can help you find. Also, think about your overall brain health. Eating well, staying active, and keeping your mind engaged with things like reading can make a big difference.

 

Worried About Your Alcohol Consumption? Reach Out Today

If you’re worried about how much you’re drinking or have any concerns about how your alcohol intake might be affecting your memory or thinking, talking to a professional is a good step. Call us today on 0800 470 0382.