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Alcohol is a substance that has negatively altered the lives of millions of Americans, including those in Oregon.
According to the Oregon Health Authority, “In 2017, 1,923 Oregonians (40 per 100,000 population) died from alcohol‐related causes, including chronic diseases, acute poisoning, injury, and perinatal causes. This represents a 34% increase in the overall rate of alcohol‐related deaths since 2001.”
These numbers show that the beautiful state of Oregon continues to have an unattractive trait that has seemingly worsened since the turn of the century.
The negative health effects of alcohol use disorder, more commonly known as alcoholism, are well-known. However, many have raised one specific question over the years: Does alcoholism cause dementia?
The National Institutes of Health says, “Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning — thinking, remembering, and reasoning — to such an extent that it interferes with a person's daily life and activities. Some people with dementia cannot control their emotions, and their personalities may change. Dementia ranges in severity from the mildest stage, when it is just beginning to affect a person's functioning, to the most severe stage, when the person must depend completely on others for basic activities of living.”
Furthermore, “alcohol-related dementia,” as the name suggests, is a form of dementia related to the excessive drinking of alcohol. Excessive alcohol use may affect memory, learning, and other mental functions. Additionally, Wernicke-Korsakoff and Korsakoff's syndrome are types of brain injury that are likely the result of heavy alcohol use.
So, does alcohol use disorder (AUD) really contribute to or cause this health condition? Let’s take a look.
According to information published by the Alzheimer’s Society, drinking too much alcohol can lead to neurological issues.
The organization says, “Excessive alcohol consumption over a lengthy time period can lead to brain damage, and may increase your risk of developing dementia. However, drinking alcohol in moderation has not been conclusively linked to an increased dementia risk, nor has it been shown to offer significant protection against developing dementia.
As such, people who do not currently drink alcohol should not be encouraged to start as a way to reduce dementia risk. Conversely, those who drink alcohol within the recommended guidelines are not advised to stop on the grounds of reducing the risk of dementia, although cutting back on alcohol consumption may bring other health benefits.”
Drinking too much alcohol over a long period of time can reduce the volume of the brain’s white matter, which helps relay information between different parts of the brain. Essentially, this causes issues with how the brain operates. Additionally, excessive alcohol consumption can cause a lack of specific vitamins and conditions that negatively affect memory.
If you do think you or someone you know has dementia, look for the following symptoms:
In some cases, alcohol-related dementia can be reversed.
According to a study from Dementia Australia, “At an early stage of the disease, problems may be reduced or reversed if the person abstains from alcohol, improves their diet, and replaces vitamins, especially thiamine and vitamin B1. Thiamine is important to limit some of the toxic effects of alcohol and is an important supplement for heavy drinkers.”
The best way to prevent alcohol-related dementia is to refrain from drinking. Those who do drink should do so moderately.
According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, “Adults of legal drinking age can choose not to drink, or to drink in moderation by limiting intake to two drinks or less in a day for men and one drink or less in a day for women, when alcohol is consumed. Drinking less is better for health than drinking more.”
A standard drink is equal to 14 grams or 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol. Examples of a standard drink include 12 ounces of regular beer, which is usually about 5% alcohol; 5 ounces of wine, which is typically about 12% alcohol; or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits, which is about 40% alcohol.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, “Korsakoff's syndrome is a disorder that primarily affects the memory system in the brain. It usually results from a deficiency of thiamine (vitamin B1), which may be caused by alcohol abuse, dietary deficiencies, prolonged vomiting, eating disorders, or the effects of chemotherapy.”
Symptoms may include:
On the other hand, the U.S. National Library of Medicine explains, “Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a brain disorder due to vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency. [As stated earlier, a lack of vitamin B1 is common in people who have AUD.] Wernicke encephalopathy and Korsakoff syndrome are not different conditions. They are different stages of the same disease process. Both are due to brain damage caused by a lack of vitamin B1.”
Symptoms usually include:
It can be difficult to get sober alone. The good news is that you no longer have to worry about walking the road to recovery by yourself. At Serenity Lane, we’re here for you with numerous locations throughout Oregon.
We believe that everyone has what it takes to get sober if they’re ready. If you no longer want to live a life consumed by alcohol use — but you’re struggling to leave it behind — we’re here for you. Even if you’ve tried to get sober before and failed, keep pushing forward. Your next attempt could be successful.
You deserve to live a life of fulfillment and happiness, free from alcohol. You have what it takes to leave alcohol behind forever.
Serenity Lane is here for all Oregonians in need of help to overcome alcohol addiction through alcoholism treatment. It can feel overwhelming taking the first steps.
You may be reading this blog because you have been wondering: What should I do about my alcohol problem? How do I help my loved one struggling with alcohol problems? Is it OK to taper off alcohol and try to do it by myself? Should I get alcohol treatment now or later?
The best recommendation when struggling with alcohol misuse is to seek medical and mental health professional consultation as soon as possible. The professionals can determine the best treatment plan for you and your unique set of needs.
At Serenity Lane, we are ready to listen. We are ready to help. We are ready to support you with our professional, caring team. We are ready to see you in recovery. We are ready to cheer you on as you continue down the road of recovery toward a healthier, happier you.
To learn more, call (800) 543-9905.
Is alcohol dementia reversible?
According to a study from Dementia Australia, “At an early stage of the disease, problems may be reduced or reversed if the person abstains from alcohol, improves their diet, and replaces vitamins, especially thiamine and vitamin B1. Thiamine is important to limit some of the toxic effects of alcohol and is an important supplement for heavy drinkers.”
How much do you have to drink to get alcohol dementia?
Everyone is different, so there really is no exact number of drinks or years of drinking that lead to alcohol dementia. The best way to prevent alcohol-related dementia is to refrain from drinking altogether or be very careful about drinking in moderation.
Can you get dementia from being an alcoholic?
According to the Alzheimer’s Society, “Excessive alcohol consumption over a lengthy time period can lead to brain damage and may increase your risk of developing dementia. However, drinking alcohol in moderation has not been conclusively linked to an increased dementia risk, nor has it been shown to offer significant protection against developing dementia.”
What is alcohol dementia?
“Alcohol-related dementia, as the name suggests, is a form of dementia related to the excessive drinking of alcohol,” according to a study from Dementia Australia. “This affects memory, learning, and other mental functions. Korsakoff’s syndrome and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome are particular forms of alcohol-related brain injury which may be related to alcohol-related dementia.”
What is moderate drinking?
According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, “Adults of legal drinking age can choose not to drink, or to drink in moderation by limiting intake to two drinks or less in a day for men and one drink or less in a day for women, when alcohol is consumed. Drinking less is better for health than drinking more.” A standard drink is equal to 14 grams or 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol. Examples of a standard drink include 12 ounces of regular beer, which is usually about 5% alcohol; 5 ounces of wine, which is typically about 12% alcohol; or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits, which is about 40% alcohol.
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