Drinking Alcohol Causes Brain Damage

• The cerebral cortex and subcortical areas such as the limbic system (important for feeling and expressing emotions)
• The thalamus (important for communication within the brain)
• The hypothalamus (which releases hormones in response to stress and other stimuli and is involved in basic behavioral and physiological functions)
• The basal forebrain (the lower area of the front part of the brain, involved in learning and memory)

• The cerebellum, situated at the base of the brain, which plays a role in posture and motor coordination and in learning simple tasks.

Alcohol Effects on Brain 

Over time, excessive alcohol consumption can damage both the brain and liver, causing lasting damage. Drinking alcohol causes brain damage and excessive alcohol consumption can have long-lasting effects on neurotransmitters in the brain, decreasing their effectiveness or even mimicking them. Alcohol also destroys brain cells and contracts brain tissue. Some people with a history of excessive alcohol use develop nutritional deficiencies that further damage brain function.

Short-Term Effects of Alcohol on the Brain 

As soon as alcohol enters the bloodstream, it changes how the brain functions. Moderate consumption of alcohol may cause the following temporary effects:

People with severe symptoms of alcohol intoxication or symptoms that last many hours are at risk of alcohol poisoning. The ethanol in alcohol acts like a poison. When the liver is not able to filter this poison quickly enough, a person can develop signs of alcohol poisoning or alcohol overdose. An overdose of alcohol affects the brain’s ability to sustain basic life functions.

Symptoms include:

Drinking alcohol causes brain damage and an untreated alcohol overdose can be fatal. Severe alcohol overdoses may cause permanent brain damage even if the person survives. The higher a person’s blood alcohol concentration, the higher their risk of alcohol overdose. The heavy consumption of high-alcohol drinks is more likely to cause alcohol poisoning. People who have smaller bodies, drink alcohol less frequently, or have a history of liver disease are also more vulnerable to alcohol poisoning.

Long-Term Effects of Alcohol on the Brain 

Those who drink more heavily are at increased risk for adverse alcohol-related complications, especially if they drink excessively over long periods of time. Long-term health risks of chronic alcohol use include heart, liver, and digestion problems, cancer, immune system weakening as well as mood and sleep disturbances, and the development of other mental health problems, including depression and anxiety.

Wet Brain Alcoholism 

Those who use alcohol excessively and for long periods of time also risk thiamine deficiency as a result of poor nutrition, which may result in the development of Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (WKS), sometimes commonly referred to as “wet brain”. This condition can cause persisting mental confusion, eye movement disturbances, difficulty with coordination, and persistent learning and memory problems.

Lastly, long-term alcohol abuse can also lead to the development of an alcohol use disorder (AUD), which may sometimes be referred to as having an “alcohol addiction” or “alcoholism”. An AUD is a compulsive, problematic pattern of alcohol use that persists despite negative consequences to a person’s health, job, and personal relationships. 

For a mental health professional to diagnose someone with alcoholism, a person must meet at least two of the following criteria within a 12-month span:

• Spending a significant amount of time trying to obtain alcohol.
• Experiencing cravings for alcohol.
• Drinking while in situations where it’s dangerous to do so, such as while driving or operating machinery.
• Continuing to drink despite familial and relationship issues caused by alcohol use.
• Being unable to fulfill obligations at work, home, or school because of alcohol use.
• Using higher or more frequent amounts of alcohol than originally intended.
• Tolerance, or needing higher amounts of alcohol to achieve previous effects.
• Being unable to cut down on drinking.
• Continuing to drink despite negative physical or mental health consequences.
• Avoiding activities that you once enjoyed so you can drink.
• Experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms if you try to stop drinking.

Alcohol Abuse Treatment

Medically-assisted Detox

Detox is often considered the first stage of treatment. It will help you navigate the complicated process of alcohol withdrawal, but it doesn’t address patterns of thought and behavior that contribute to alcohol use. Various treatment approaches and settings can help provide the ongoing support necessary to maintain long-term sobriety after you complete detox.

Cravings are very common during detox and can be challenging to overcome. This often leads to relapse. Constant medical care provided during inpatient treatment helps prevent relapse. Clinicians can provide necessary medication and medical expertise to lessen cravings and the effects of alcohol withdrawals.

Medication-Assisted Treatments

Medication-Assisted Treatments (MAT) for alcohol use disorder and mental health disorder are commonly used in conjunction with one another. This includes the use of medications and other medical procedures. During your rehab, the staff from your treatment facility will help you identify what caused your addiction and teach you skills that will help you change your behavior patterns and challenge the negative thoughts that led to your addiction. Sometimes, the pressures and problems in your life lead you to rely on substances to help you forget about them momentarily.

Integrated Mental Health Care

Alcohol affects mental health, so people may use it to self-medicate undiagnosed disorders. Rehab centers typically provide mental health screenings, diagnoses, and integrated treatment for co-occurring disorders. In addition, holistic and therapeutic approaches are often used to treat recovering addicts with these conditions.

Behavioral Therapies

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) can improve addicts’ behavior. CBT targets negative and maladaptive thought patterns as it promotes positive emotions and beliefs, while DBT helps clients address conflicting impulses so they can make healthy choices. Both therapies treat substance abuse and mental health disorders. Therapy also empowers clients to identify, avoid and mitigate cues that trigger drug cravings.