According to research by The National Center for Biotechnology Information, 95% of people who frequently drink alcohol are at risk of alcohol dementia. Lots of people globally are battling alcohol addiction either in their homes, colleges, or workplace and are in need of an alcohol addiction rehab center.
What Is Alcohol Dementia?
This is a condition that results due to heavy consumption of alcoholic drinks for a long period. It leads to neurological damage leaving you with impaired cognitive function. These effects accumulate with time, and before you know it, you are struggling with ordeals such as loss of memory which leads to poor decision making and lack of insight.
Though some people manage to quit alcohol addiction on their own, the best way is to seek help from a good rehab center. Blackouts, disjointed behavior, and violent actions towards others are some of the most common effects of alcohol addiction. Prolonged use of alcohol can lead to a worse condition described as alcohol-induced dementia. But, finding a top-rated alcohol addiction rehab center in Portland, Oregon, can help. According to research by The National Center for Biotechnology Information, 95% of people who frequently drink alcohol are at risk of alcohol dementia. Lots of people globally are battling alcohol addiction either in their homes, colleges, or workplace. But, what is alcohol dementia?
Main Causes of Alcohol Dementia
The majority of alcoholics know that excessive drinking of alcohol leads to liver-related problems. But, few are aware that it can also lead to dementia in the long run. Alcohol directly finds its way to the brain cells after consumption; the more reason why you see most alcohol addicts lack balance and stability. The toxic substances within alcohol inhibit the production of vitamin B1 (Thiamine). This leads to a syndrome known as Wernicke Korsakoff, which affects the functioning of your brain.
Types of Alcohol-Induced Dementia
Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome is a neuron-related syndrome that results from insufficient production of thiamine within the brain. After consumption, alcohol is broken down to produce toxic substances that hinder the production of vitamin B1, also known as thiamine. Lack of enough thiamine within your brain inhibits the functions of all thiamine-dependent enzymes. This can easily cause damage to brain cells. As a result, the victim suffers from poor coordination, unusual movement of the eyes, and often confusion. This syndrome is normally characterized by:
- Loss of memory
- Inability to grasp new things and concepts
- Impaired judgment and poor social skills
Quitting drinking may help you get rid of this syndrome, but it may persist and become permanent in some situations, especially for the elderly.
Alcohol-Related Brain Damage (ARBD)
This is a syndrome that commonly takes root in the cholinergic system. This is an essential part of your brain that is responsible for remembering. When it’s damaged, you are likely to suffer memory loss. Though research has shown that there is no proven relationship between ARBD and Alzheimer’s condition, the two have almost the same effects on your brain. Unlike Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome, ARBD is a syndrome that becomes permanent even long after overcoming addiction to alcohol.
Every individual with alcohol addiction stands a chance of suffering from ARBD. It is important to watch your drinking habit and seek medical help should you start exhibiting the following signs; confusion, inability to concentrate, difficulty in learning new things, impaired judgment, problems with balance and coordination, memory loss as well as depression. Seeking early treatment will ensure that you receive the right medication and counseling which can help alleviate the symptoms. It is essential to remember that, with proper care and support, recovery from ARBD is possible.
Alcohol Dementia Treatment and Recovery
You can fight alcoholism and recover fully if you find a good rehab program. This is why it is important to start by finding a top-rated rehab facility. Also, understand the programs offered at the facility before you start. The most common ones include therapies that help restore your body back to its normal and functioning state. Good programs offered by Crestview Recovery Center include:
- Art therapy program
- Yoga therapy program
- Mindfulness meditation therapy
- Recreational therapy program
- Group therapy program
- Individual counseling program
Quitting Drinking Requires Uncomfortable Changes
There are a number of different strategies to stop drinking, from curtailing your consumption of alcohol to quitting cold turkey. As you prepare to stop drinking, it is important to focus on your body and mind throughout the process. If you have become dependent on having alcohol in your system to function during everyday life, you may experience a number of withdrawal symptoms that could be dangerous without supervision and care. We find that an inpatient drug treatment program is the best way to help people quit drinking and move on to better lives. While you may feel uncomfortable or nervous about attending treatment, the ability to get outside your comfort zone makes a tremendous difference.
Alcohol Dementia Rehab
Alcoholism can affect men and women in different ways. Our alcohol addiction rehab center in Portland, Oregon, has programs designed for each gender. When you seek treatment from Crestview Recovery Center, we assess the extent of your addiction and know the right therapies for you.
When you start the programs, your body starts gaining strength and the immunity to fight the toxins that cause damage to your brain cells. We put you on a healing path, and you start to recover from dementia. Overcoming addiction can be challenging, but it’s not too late to seek treatment. If you or your loved one is fighting alcohol addiction, reach out to us today 866.262.0531 to learn what is alcohol dementia, and begin your journey to a healthier and sober lifestyle.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
