For many people, alcohol is a way to relax and have fun. But for some, alcohol abuse can lead to severe consequences, including memory loss. The long-term effects of alcohol on memory, brain health, and the body can be detrimental to your quality of life. If you struggle to stop drinking, learning about the connection between alcohol abuse and memory loss could help you understand how severe the consequences of long-term alcohol abuse can be.
At Fort Behavioral Health, we know how difficult it can be to stop drinking. Not only does unchecked drinking cause a strong mental dependence, but long-term alcohol abuse also causes your brain and body to change, forcing you to seek alcohol to operate normally. If you or someone you love struggles to stop drinking, our compassionate team can help you stop and discover the benefits of sobriety. Call 844.332.1807 today to learn about alcohol rehab in Fort Worth, TX at our treatment center.
The Long-Term Effects of Alcohol
Heavy drinking can lead to a number of health problems affecting nearly every body system.
Cognitive Effects
One of the most well-known effects of alcohol is memory loss. Blackouts, or periods where you cannot remember what happened, are common for heavy drinkers. While blackouts can be caused by drinking too much in one sitting, they can also be caused by chronic drinking over time.
Another common effect of chronic alcohol abuse is memory impairment. This can manifest in difficulty forming new memories, retaining information, or both. People with alcohol-related memory problems may have trouble at work or school and may find it difficult to keep up with day-to-day tasks.
Physical Effects
In addition to cognitive effects, alcohol abuse can also affect your physical health. Heavy drinking can lead to liver damage, heart disease, and high blood pressure. It can also weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to illness.
The changes that occur in the brain due to chronic alcohol abuse can also lead to physical changes in the body. For example, alcohol abuse can cause shrinkage of the brain. This can lead to problems with coordination and balance, as well as slurred speech and difficulty walking.
Emotional Effects
Chronic alcohol abuse can also lead to changes in your mood and behavior. Depression, anxiety, and irritability are common among people with alcoholism. You may also find yourself withdrawing from friends and family, as well as activities you once enjoyed.
How Alcohol Abuse Leads to Memory Loss
One of the links between alcohol abuse and memory loss is a process called neuroinflammation. Neuroinflammation is an immune response in the brain that can damage brain cells and lead to cognitive problems like memory loss. Alcohol abuse also increases the levels of certain chemicals in the brain that can interfere with learning and memory.
Another way alcohol abuse leads to memory loss is by shrinking the hippocampus. The hippocampus is the part of the brain responsible for forming new memories. When the hippocampus shrinks, it’s more challenging to form new memories and retrieve old ones. Alcohol abuse can also lead to a deficiency in thiamine, a vitamin essential for normal brain function. Thiamine deficiency can cause a condition called Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, which results in memory loss and other cognitive problems.
Alcohol Addiction Treatment at Fort Behavioral Health
Breaking the link between alcohol abuse and memory loss starts with alcohol addiction treatment. If you or someone you love is struggling with alcoholism, Fort Behavioral Health can help. Our treatment center offers a variety of programs and services designed to help you achieve sobriety and live a healthy, productive life. Call us today at 844.332.1807 or contact us online to learn more about our alcohol rehab center in Fort Worth, TX.
