Alcohol-related dementia (brain damage or ARBD) is the term used to describe a decline in cognitive abilities caused by alcohol abuse. ARBD leads to slightly different symptoms in different people and causes a range of conditions. The most common forms of ARBD are Alcohol-Related Dementia - which can include problems with memory, attention, learning new tasks and reasoning - and Korsakoff's syndrome which is a chronic memory disorder, caused by a severe lack of vitamin B1 (Thiamine). The symptoms of these two forms of ARBD often overlap.
Does alcohol abuse cause dementia?
There is some debate as to whether alcohol abuse is a direct cause of ARBD or whether the alcoholic’s lifestyle is also a contributory factor. Alcohol is a toxin, which can cause damage to nerve cells and blood vessels leading to brain shrinkage. However, people who are heavily dependent on alcohol and have an alcohol addiction also often suffer head injuries from falling over or fighting, which can contribute to alcohol-related dementia. Likewise, heavy drinkers tend to replace food with drink and don’t look after themselves which means that their bodies do not absorb vitamins as efficiently as they might otherwise do.What are the symptoms of alcohol-related dementia?
Not all people will experience the same symptoms but typically the symptoms might include:- A decline in the ability to process and learn
- Difficulty remembering
- Decreased ability to plan, organise and think logically
- Reduced attention span
- Changes in personality and mood
- Inhibited social skills
