What does alcohol do to your brain?

Alcohol has negative effects on most of the systems and organs in the body, including the brain. These effects can occur with short-term use, but more serious effects occur with long-term alcohol use. If you regularly use alcohol, it’s important to be aware of these effects so that you can make informed decisions about limiting your alcohol use or abstaining completely.

Short-Term Effects of Alcohol on the Brain

When you drink alcohol, the effects on the brain increase with every drink. These effects result in a progression of intoxication symptoms. First, your reaction times are affected and your judgment and behavior become somewhat altered. Your brain also begins to release dopamine which leads to alcohol’s euphoric effects, but your memory and ability to reason become impaired.

As drinking continues and you become intoxicated, you may experience blurred vision, slurred speech, impaired judgment, and a loss of fine motor skills.

At the next stage, confusion may set in, as well as a lack of coordination. This is also the stage where you may experience a blackout, which is caused by alcohol’s effects on the hippocampus, which is responsible for short-term memories.

If you keep going, your mental, physical and sensory functions will be severely impaired, and you may pass out. If you don’t pass out and continue to drink, you are at risk of coma or death because your brain can no longer control your bodily functions.

Long-Term Effects of Alcohol on the Brain

Over time, alcohol use damages the brain, killing brain cells and causing shrinkage of the brain tissue. This causes memory problems, cognitive impairment, and a lack of ability to think clearly. This can cause issues with work, school, and general functioning abilities.

One serious potential complication of alcohol abuse is Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (WKS). WKS is a rare disorder caused by a lack of vitamin B1 that leads to memory loss. Chronic alcohol use can cause a B1 deficiency, leading to WKS.

WKS has two stages:

• Wernicke encephalopathy: A sudden and serious brain disorder that causes confusion, memory loss, loss of coordination, eye issues, and even coma. This condition requires immediate medical care.
• Korsakoff syndrome: A long-term memory disorder.

WKS can be treated with B1 supplements, hydration, and abstinence, but memory issues may remain.

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

Alcoholism, or Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) as it’s known in medical terminology, is quite prevalent, affecting more than 28 million adults and 750,000 youth in the United States. AUD is characterized by the inability to stop drinking in spite of negative consequences. People with an AUD also have a physical dependence on alcohol, and an increased tolerance to alcohol.

Treatment of AUD

Treatment of AUD starts with a period of medically supervised detox. Withdrawal from alcohol is extremely uncomfortable and can also be dangerous. Medications may be given during detox to make you comfortable, reduce your withdrawal symptoms, and minimize the risk of severe and dangerous withdrawal complications.

There are also medications to treat AUD that include:

• Acamprosate can help with relapse prevention after you have stopped drinking. It seems to restore the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain and reduce alcohol cravings.
• Naltrexone blocks reward receptors in the brain, removing the positive effects that you get from drinking. This can reduce or prevent heavy drinking and diminish alcohol cravings.
• Disulfiram reduces the risk of relapse by causing uncomfortable effects when you take disulfiram and drink alcohol. These effects include nausea, vomiting, fast heart rate, and headaches. More severe reactions can also occur, such as chest pains, difficulty breathing, and heart failure. The risk of these symptoms is a powerful deterrent to relapsing.

It’s important to understand, however, that alcohol addiction cannot be treated with medication alone. Medication is just one part of a full treatment program that includes therapy.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most common and effective therapy used to treat AUD. CBT involves learning to recognize and control irrational, destructive thoughts by rethinking them in a reality-based way using reason and logic.

For example, people with alcohol addiction often have thoughts such as, “I can just drink with my friends on Fridays.” In CBT, they learn why this is not a rational thought, and to turn the thought around into something like, “I can’t control my alcohol use. I’ll be a healthier, happier person if I quit completely.”

CBT also teaches coping skills and problem-solving skills to help you deal with life’s challenges without turning to alcohol.

Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) is another common treatment for alcohol addiction. It’s similar to CBT, but focuses more on regulating emotions and practicing mindfulness.

Motivational therapy is another method, which involves setting goals in terms of recovery and life and building motivation to meet those goals.

Both inpatient and after care outpatient programs also involve group therapy. Patients are able to discuss experiences and emotions with peers, learn more about addiction, and share coping strategies. This kind of support has proven to be invaluable in AUD treatment.

Many people also continue to find peer support after treatment in peer support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous.

Help Is Available

Alcohol use can cause a host of health issues, including long-term brain issues. If you’re struggling with alcohol, help is just a phone call away. Making that call is the first step in building a healthier, more fulfilling and productive life.