Alcohol-Related Dementia: What it is And How to Prevent It
by Michael Walsh
Alcohol Dementia
Dementia is a significant health concern for aging populations around the world and is a particularly concerning issue in Canada. [Updated March 2023]
Estimates show that nearly 600,000 Canadians were living with Dementia in 2020. Cases are expected to reach 1 million by 2030.
Dementia isn’t only a significant health challenge for the individual who develops it but also poses enormous strain to their loved ones and the health care system at large. We’re seeing a trend of fewer people entering the medical field, which could lead to a crisis of insufficient care if cases of the disease continue to rise as expected.
These challenges make prevention imperative. We don’t know all of the causes of dementia but we do know that diet and lifestyle are contributing factors.
Sedentary lifestyles, smoking, poor dietary habits, and drinking alcohol are all common in modern society and are very much within our ability to control.
The correlation between alcohol and dementia risk is well documented. Cases of early onset in particular have been connected to alcohol use disorder. People who drink excessively for lengthy periods run a high risk of developing alcohol-related dementia (ARD).
Due to nutrition deficiencies common to problem drinkers, a type of Dementia called Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome is of great concern. Fortunately, with early diagnosis and treatment, the condition can be reversed. But achieving successful outcomes requires a commitment to quitting drinking and adopting healthy lifestyle habits.
Alcohol and Dementia Risk
Alcohol is the most widely used recreational drug in the world with numbers rising year over year.
With over 200 health conditions attributed to problematic drinking, it has been conclusively proven that excessive alcohol use negatively impacts the brain and the body.
Dementia is among those 200 conditions that can be induced by excessive drinking.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) quantifies excessive drinking as the consumption of 14 drinks or more per week. Early onset dementia in particular has been associated with alcohol use disorder, which is when the condition occurs in people younger than 65.
One study conducted among patients in Metropolitan France showed that of the 57,353 cases (over a five-year period) of early onset dementia, most were determined to be alcohol-related or were diagnosed with co-occurring alcohol use disorder. This showed that alcohol was the number one risk factor in the development of this condition.
Alcohol’s damaging effects on the brain, in particular, are due to the fact that it is water and fat-soluble. This allows it to cross through the blood-brain barrier — a network of blood vessels that generally protect the brain from harmful exogenous substances.
In the short term, alcohol consumption impacts the neurotransmitters that affect impulse control, decision-making abilities and memory storage. Long-term, alcohol use disorder can cause damage to the structure and function of the brain, potentially leading to alcoholic dementia.
Andrew Huberman, professor of neurobiology at Stanford School of Medicine recently released a podcast episode devoted to the effects of alcohol on the mind and body. I mention it frequently because it’s the most comprehensive analysis I’ve heard regarding the effects of alcohol. This short video clip from that episode specifically discusses how alcohol impacts the brain and is well worth the watch.
Excessive Drinking and Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome
Excessive alcohol consumption over prolonged periods negatively impacts brain cells and neurocircuitry.
But it also causes nutritional deficiencies, which is an additional contributing factor to the onset of alcohol-related dementia.
Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome is a subset of dementia which appears in two separate stages. It’s not caused by alcohol itself, but by a lack of thiamine, also known as Vitamin B1. Thiamine is critical to healthy nerve function, so long-term deficiency caused by excessive alcohol consumption can permanently damage nerve cells. It’s estimated that 80% of people with alcohol use disorder aren’t able to absorb thiamine sufficiently.
The first of the two disorders encompassed in Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome is called Wernicke’s encephalopathy. It’s characterized as a sudden and acute brain disorder that can cause confusion, difficulty with muscle coordination, and abnormal eye movements.
Fortunately, Wernicke’s encephalopathy is reversible if treated in time. High doses of thiamine supplementation can reverse the condition and prevent long-term brain and nerve cell damage. Quitting drinking, and adopting a healthy diet is also important so as not to further damage the functioning of the brain.
If Wernicke’s encephalopathy goes untreated, it can progress to Korsakoff syndrome. This advanced disorder is not reversible and causes far more significant cognitive impairment. People who suffer from this form of dementia may experience substantial personality changes, and an inability to retain new information or recall existing memories.
Alcohol-related dementia can develop at any age but symptoms often become evident in individuals 40-50 years old. If you or a loved one is experiencing difficulty remembering simple things, impaired motor functions, or difficulty with basic language, it’s important to talk to your doctor.
A physician can diagnose alcohol-related dementia and what stage in the progressive disease a patient may be in. Assessments typically include neuropsychological testing, lab tests and a physical exam. Family history is also an important piece of the overall picture for accurate diagnosis.
Any damage to the nervous system will be very telling as well. People suffering from early or late stages of ARD may have problems with walking, abnormal eye movement, increased heart rate, and low blood pressure. These are indicators that nerve cell damage has begun.
While this is a scary prognosis, it’s important to remember that early diagnosis, treatment, and lifestyle changes can stop the progression and may reverse some of the effects of this condition.
How to Prevent Dementia
There are many different types of dementia and excessive drinking isn’t the only factor associated with developing the condition — but it’s a significant factor.
The best way to prevent alcohol-related dementia in particular is through diet and lifestyle changes. Exercise, eating a healthy diet, and quitting drinking and smoking are the best defences. They are also the best actions to take if you’re already experiencing early symptoms of alcohol-related dementia.
I have worked with several recovery coaching clients in the early stage of alcohol dementia including clients with Wernicke’s encephalopathy who responded well and experienced a reduction of symptoms after quitting drinking. I’ve also worked with a few clients with Korsakoff syndrome and can attest to the increased challenges these folks face, even once in recovery.
The sooner you change your relationship with alcohol, the better the chances to enjoy a full recovery from ARD. But that’s hard to do alone.
Clients should seek out a professional opinion from a Family Physician, Registered Psychologist, or Neuropsychologist for a professional diagnosis and determination of treatment options. If a medical professional determines that medical detox and residential treatment is unnecessary, recovery coaching is an excellent alternative.
Get Help Creating Your Personal Roadmap
It can be really scary to arrive at the realization that you have a drinking problem, no matter how big or small.
But it’s a lot less scary when you have an experienced guide to help you sort things out.
I’m an accredited Addiction Recovery Coach offering worldwide virtual support, and in-person support across Canada. If you’re interested in exploring 1:1 recovery coaching to help you cut back your drinking or stop drinking entirely, I’m happy to answer your questions.
I offer a no-charge consult call to anyone who has questions about their own substance use, or the substance use of a family member. These calls are completely confidential with no pressure to make a decision before you feel entirely ready.
I’d also like to invite you to read more about my personal story here.
Michael Walsh
Phone or Text: 250.896.8494
Email: Coach@MichaelWalsh.com
Chat: Start a WhatsApp chat
About the Author
Michael Walsh
When I say I’ve been there, I mean it. I am a different person now, and I am fired up about helping other people get to the place where they, too, are living better, healthier, and bigger lives.
