Alcohol misuse can lead to many long-term health problems down the road and ultimately require alcohol addiction treatment. One of these health problems is alcohol-induced dementia, a form of brain damage. Alcohol affects different parts of the brain and can cause damage when consumed in excess. Chronic alcohol use is linked to lower cognitive performance.
Recovery from alcohol addiction is possible. If you or a loved one needs alcohol addiction treatment, contact Liberty Bay Recovery Center at (855) 607-8758. We offer full-spectrum detox and recovery services for those struggling with substance use.
The Long-Term Effects of Alcohol Abuse
It may seem obvious that alcohol can have strong effects on your brain. After all, alcohol is notorious for making people feel more sociable and less coordinated. However, the long-term results of alcohol abuse prove much more damaging than researchers initially believed. Some of the most extreme consequences of alcohol abuse include:
- Memory loss
- Psychosis
- Liver disease
- Poor cognitive performance
- Mood disorders
- Nervous system deficits
These are just a few of the problems that alcohol abuse can cause later in life. For some, these conditions may have already struck. It is never too late to begin recovering.
What Is Alcohol-Induced Dementia?
Many people know that drinking excessive amounts of alcohol in one sitting can cause memory loss. This is commonly referred to as a blackout, wherein the drinker cannot remember major events and details the next day. Beyond blackouts, alcohol abuse can cause serious long-term memory problems.
Symptoms
Alcohol-induced dementia is a form of brain damage that mimics Alzheimer’s symptoms. Chronic alcohol use damages your brain over time and inhibits your ability to remain aware and alert. This leads to degenerative symptoms that impair daily functioning. Some of the symptoms of alcohol-induced dementia include:
- Being easily distracted
- Being unable to remain on-task
- Errors in critical thinking and judgment
- Problems with setting and keeping goals
- Lack of motivation to do necessary tasks
These symptoms can be similar to Alzheimer’s disease, but with a key difference. Alcohol-induced dementia worsens with increasing alcohol consumption and chronic alcohol abuse. Other symptoms of alcohol-induced dementia include emotional outbursts, lack of empathy, poor coordination, depression, irritability, and apathy.
Treatment
Unlike Alzheimer’s or age-related dementia, alcohol-induced dementia can improve over time. The condition will stop progressing with proper treatment. The treatment for alcohol-induced dementia is often found in addiction recovery centers.
Worsening brain damage is not inevitable with alcohol-induced dementia. If the person seeks treatment for alcohol addiction and no longer consumes it, the brain damage will stop progressing. This gives alcohol-induced dementia a much better prognosis than Alzheimer’s and dementia. Over time, your brain may heal the damage caused by alcohol abuse, and in some cases, your symptoms may stop entirely. To heal in this manner, recovery from alcohol abuse is essential.
Rehabilitation Is Possible
Alcohol addiction does not have to be a part of your life forever. With Liberty Bay’s caring, compassionate team, you can embark on your recovery journey. We have a dedicated team of mental health professionals to help you detox safely and begin the appropriate therapies.
Liberty Bay Recovery Center in Portland, Maine, is a warm, welcoming environment where we encourage you to put yourself first. You can recover from alcohol addiction and achieve the goals you set for yourself. If you or a loved one needs alcohol addiction treatment, call Liberty Bay Recovery center at (855) 607-8758 today or use the convenient online form. We will address your mental health as a whole, finding solutions that you can apply to your life. You are more than your struggles with alcohol, and we make sure you feel that by the time you leave our care.
