provided by Red Oak Recovery
When someone drinks alcohol excessively, it can lead to issues like alcohol dementia. Over time, alcohol consumption can lead to mental and physical damage. Alcohol-induced dementia is a kind of cognitive decline that will eventually make normal life impossible. Once this condition takes hold, it is impossible to reverse the damage.
Does Alcohol Dementia Exist?
Unfortunately, many different things can damage the brain and cause dementia or other mental disorders. The underlying reason why dementia happens is because of damage to brain cells. Alcohol can cause this type of damage and keep the brain cells from communicating with each other.
Alcohol dementia is just one type of dementia. The term can include different forms of dementia like Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Because the symptoms can vary from person to person, it can be hard to diagnose this condition. As a general rule, this kind of dementia develops because someone suffers from chronic or heavy alcohol use.
How Does Chronic Alcoholism Hurt the Brain?
Heavy or chronic drinking can hurt the body and mind in many different ways. This kind of drinking habit causes direct damage to the individual’s brain cells such as the frontal lobe. Someone is also more likely to have a head injury stemming from a drunken fall.
Over time, heavy drinking causes changes to the brain’s vascular system. It can stress the different systems in the body because of cycles of withdrawal and intoxication. Individuals also have a higher risk of hemorrhage and lower thiamine levels.
Signs of Dementia
If someone has alcohol dementia, there are a few common symptoms that they can look out for. Initially, individuals may show symptoms like disorientation, extreme confusion, muscle jerks, nausea, or vomiting. They may feel unsteady or have problems moving their eyes.
Other kinds of alcohol-induced dementia progress slowly. At first, the individual may have problems learning new information or remembering recent events. They may even have long gaps in their memory.
Before long, dementia can make it hard to make decisions or plans. The individual may have impulsive behavior and slowed reasoning. They may have problems paying attention or controlling their emotions.
Recovery Is Possible
Over time, addiction can cause many physical and mental health problems like alcohol-induced dementia. Thankfully, there are ways to treat and manage a substance abuse disorder. While recovery takes time and effort, every individual has the opportunity and ability to achieve a healthier, happier lifestyle.
In a men’s alcohol rehab program, clients can find options such as:
- Evidence-based care
- Professionals licensed in substance abuse and mental health
- Nutritional therapy
- Family therapy and family counseling
- 12-step programs
- Holistic healing
- Dual diagnosis treatment
Having a substance abuse disorder affects all aspects of your life, but you do not have to live with the pain of addiction forever. If you or a loved one are suffering from addiction side effects like alcohol dementia, help is available. Through a high-quality treatment program, you can begin your recovery today. Contact Red Oak Recovery® at 866.457.7590 to find out how.
