It is important for individuals with alcoholic dementia and their loved ones to seek support from healthcare professionals, community resources, and support groups. The primary treatment for alcohol-related dementia is thiamine or vitamin B1 supplementation. Other therapeutic methods may include diet changes and medically assisted reduction of alcohol intake.

• This is because of the damage to their brain, caused by regularly drinking too much alcohol over many years.
• As the symptoms of dementia progress, the person is likely to need more support with daily living, such as washing, dressing, eating and maintaining their home.
• A notable aspect of alcoholic dementia is the impact on the frontal lobes of the brain, which are crucial for planning, controlling impulses, and executing tasks.

Causes of alcohol-related brain injury

• They might not be able to understand new information –  for example, they may quickly forget the details of a conversation.
• “Alcoholic dementia” is an older term commonly used to describe the medical condition now known as alcohol-related dementia or alcohol-induced major neurocognitive disorder.
• The Recovery Village offers high-quality inpatient and outpatient treatment options across the country.
• Not everybody who consumes excessive amounts of alcohol for long periods of time develops dementia.

Alcohol-related dementia usually affects people between the ages of 40 and 50 who have been drinking heavily for years. But you can develop alcohol-related dementia at any age if you’re drinking more alcohol than is safe. Healthcare providers can suggest treatments to manage the symptoms you experience.

Alcohol Poisoning Signs & Symptoms

Alcohol-related dementia is similar in some ways to Alzheimer’s disease in that it affects memory and cognitive ability. Alcohol-related dementia can cause problems with memory, learning, judgment, and other cognitive skills. Alcohol-related dementia can occur at any age, and it is expected to worsen rapidly (within a few years) after the initial symptoms begin. Lifestyle changes, such as eating a balanced diet and stopping the use of alcohol, generally help. However, the outlook is often guarded, and a person may never fully recover from the condition.

What are alcohol-related dementia treatments?

However, vitamin Twelve-step program B1 treatment rarely improves the loss of memory that takes place once Korsakoff psychosis has developed. Alcohol has a direct effect on brain cells, resulting in poor judgment, difficulty making decisions, and lack of insight. In short, alcohol misuse over many years can cause dementia in some cases. Nutrition problems, which often accompany long-time alcohol misuse, can be another contributing factor to alcohol-related dementia, since parts of the brain may be damaged by vitamin deficiencies. Sometimes, nutritional supplementation can help prevent the progression of this type of dementia. Additionally, stopping alcohol use can help prevent additional damage.

Treatment Options for Alcoholic Dementia

People may struggle to recall recent events or learn new information, and they may repeatedly ask the same questions. Retrograde amnesia (difficulty recalling past events) can also occur, though it is often accompanied by confabulation, where a person unconsciously fills in memory gaps with fabricated or distorted information. It isn’t easy to cope with alcohol-related dementia, but there are resources that can help. You may also choose to share your diagnosis with supportive family and friends—you don’t have to navigate your condition alone. Early treatment is the key to successfully treating alcohol-related dementia.

No matter the duration, rehab can be an essential step toward regaining control over one’s life. With professional support, proper nutrition, and abstinence, many people experience significant improvements, offering hope is alcoholic dementia real for a more stable and fulfilling future. It’s also critical for everyone involved to understand that recovery, while possible, may be slow or partial.

• Quitting suddenly (cold turkey) can cause withdrawal and complications like delirium tremens (DT).
• These mobility issues can increase the risk of falls and related injuries.
• However, the risk increases with prolonged alcohol use and may be higher in individuals who have a history of heavy drinking or alcoholism.

Kent Kamau