It’s normal to experience some memory lapses as you age, but did you know that alcohol can impact your memory much earlier in life? Alcohol abuse and memory loss have a very close connection. Protect your cognitive function by learning about alcohol-related memory loss, how to heal your brain, and where to find help to overcome alcohol abuse.
Regardless of whether you struggle with mild or severe alcohol use disorder (AUD), Promises Brazos Valley has a program that’s right for you. To learn more about our alcohol rehab in Texas, reach out at 979.426.0086.
Understanding the Link Between Alcohol Abuse and Memory Loss
Alcohol abuse can induce memory loss in both the short and long term. Even a single episode of excessive drinking can lead to memory-related issues like blackouts, fragmented memories, and even difficulty retaining new information
For context, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) defines alcohol abuse as heavy drinking or binge-drinking behaviors. Heavy drinking refers to more than seven drinks per week for women and more than 14 for men. Binge drinking is described as consuming four or more drinks within approximately two hours for women and five or more for men. Either of these can cause temporary memory loss, and you may not remember events that occurred while intoxicated or only remember bits and pieces.
If someone engages in alcohol abuse frequently, they can experience long-term impacts on their memory, including a reduction in:
- Learning capacity
- Ability to recall information
- Critical thinking skills
- Problem-solving abilities
- Decision-making
- Overall brain function
There are several explanations regarding how chronic alcohol abuse can damage cognitive function. Alcohol is a neurotoxin that instigates brain cell death and brain shrinkage, resulting in loss of cognitive abilities. Long-term excessive drinking can also deplete your body of vital nutrients for brain health, most notably thiamine (vitamin B1). Over time, thiamine deficiency can develop into Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (WKS), which is affiliated with impaired coordination and cognitive function. Another possibility is alcohol-related dementia, a form of dementia triggered by long-term heavy drinking.
Helping Your Brain Heal From the Long-Term Effects of Alcohol Abuse
For some people, memory loss associated with chronic alcohol abuse can be reversed or at least reduced. When it comes to preserving cognitive function, time is of the essence, and the earlier alcohol abuse is addressed, the more likely a person will recover some or all of their cognitive abilities. If alcohol-related memory loss is severe, there are still actions you can take to prevent it from worsening. Here are a few tips to help support your cognitive function and help your brain heal from the effects of chronic alcohol abuse:
Enroll in Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
Quitting drinking is essential if you want to prevent further memory loss. If you have AUD, this can be challenging and even dangerous to attempt on your own, so seeking the help of addiction treatment professionals is highly recommended.
Try Nutrition Therapy
Since alcohol depletes your body of crucial nutrients, it’s important to replenish these lost vitamins and minerals to help get your brain back online. To develop a personalized diet and supplement plan, it’s a good idea to speak with a registered dietitian with experience treating clients with AUD.
Get Plenty of Sleep
Restorative sleep is essential when recovering from the effects of alcohol abuse, especially for cognitive health.
Start a Mindfulness Practice
Mindfulness practices like meditation help strengthen cognitive function, increase the ability to concentrate, reduce stress levels, and improve memory and overall cognitive health.
Contact Promises Brazos Valley to Enroll in Alcohol Rehab Today
Alcohol-related memory loss is concerning, especially when it’s a long-term symptom of chronic heavy drinking. Help reverse or prevent further memory degradation by reaching out to Promises Brazos Valley for help with quitting drinking. Our detox, behavioral therapies, and mindfulness modalities can help you overcome AUD while protecting and preserving your precious brain health. Get started by calling 979.426.0086 or completing our online form today, and we’ll get back to you.