If you or a loved one is living with AUD, it can be challenging to stop drinking. Alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous if you abruptly stop drinking after consuming large amounts of alcohol for a long time. Therapy for alcohol-related dementia can include management of AUD, nutritional supplementation to compensate for nutrient deficiencies, and exercises to help improve cognition (thinking abilities) and motor skills.

Signs and Symptoms of Alcoholic Dementia

The first and most important premise to clarify is that dementia is not a synonym for Alzheimer’s disease. Aggression may also be a sign that the person with dementia feels frightened, threatened, confused or overwhelmed. Trying to identify and address the cause of their distress may help to ease their agitation. Finding out that a loved one has Alzheimer’s disease can be stressful, frightening, and overwhelming. As you begin to take stock of the situation, here are some tips that may help.

Treatment for Alcohol-Related Dementia

The person with early symptoms of dementia may notice the signs themselves, or family, friends and colleagues may spot them first. The symptoms vary depending on which type of dementia a person has and what stage they are at – early, middle or late. Those whose daily alcohol consumption was three units or more during the preceding month showed losses in both gray and white matter in their brains, making their brains appear three and a half years older. One unit is equivalent to a small glass of wine or a half pint of is alcoholic dementia real beer. Alzheimer’s and alcohol-related dementia are comparable in that they both impair memory and cognitive function. Alcohol-related dementia can impair memory, learning, judgment, and other cognitive abilities 1.

Treatment for Alcoholic Dementia

• The first and most important premise to clarify is that dementia is not a synonym for Alzheimer’s disease.
• Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are among the most predominant mental disorders, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality, particularly in younger people and women.
• Individuals with alcoholic dementia must receive proper care and medical treatment, as early intervention and alcohol cessation augment the quality of life and possibly extend life expectancy.
• In addition to the brain, alcohol abuse can also damage other organs in the body, such as the liver and kidneys.
• Our experienced staff will develop a personalized treatment plan based on past traumas and/or other co-occurring illnesses.
• Dementia is a progressive disease that affects all aspects of a person’s life.

Additionally, stopping alcohol use can help prevent additional damage. It can be dangerous to stop alcohol abruptly, and it’s safer to go through alcohol detoxification under medical supervision. You may also find value in joining a support group for people who are living with alcohol-related dementia or for caregivers so that you can meet with others who are coping with the same life stressors as you are. Sometimes, knowing what to expect and how others have managed challenges can help provide a source of comfort and community. Yaffe says that decrease in age-specific risk is largely due to improvements in many areas, including better cardiovascular health and education. Childhood education and cognitive stimulation over the life course are protective against dementia symptoms.

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 for a more stable and fulfilling future. Treatment typically involves the use of thiamine supplements in oral or injected forms. They may also need to live in assisted living housing if their symptoms are severe.

Difficulty with Problem-Solving and Decision-Making

Dementia from alcohol, often referred to as alcohol-related dementia (ARD), is a condition caused by long-term alcohol misuse. It falls under the category of alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD) and is characterized by cognitive impairments that resemble other forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease or drug addiction treatment vascular dementia. This guide explores the damaging effects of alcohol on the brain, the symptoms, causes, and treatment options, and offers practical advice for prevention and support. In addition to these treatments, it’s essential that individuals with alcoholic dementia receive treatment for alcohol abuse. Quitting alcohol use can help slow the progression of the disease and improve overall cognitive function. With that in mind, alcohol dementia is different from other forms of dementia.

Quality of life and life expectancy vary significantly from person to person. Talk to a doctor to address your symptoms and learn how you can manage and, in some cases, even reverse signs of your illness. You may have other alcohol-related health conditions that can affect your life expectancy, too. It’s hard to prove which condition affects your life expectancy the most. What’s most important is making sure you’re safe and that you have ways to manage the symptoms.

• With the right level of care, prevention measures, and knowledge, you and/or your loved one can live and sustain a quality of life despite living with alcoholic dementia.Curious to know how?
• Overall, the longer an individual drinks heavily, the more damage is done to their brain.
• Changes in personality and behaviour are also common in some forms of dementia.
• But, the largest difference between alcohol dementia and other forms of dementia is that with the right support — and by abstaining from alcohol  — a partial or full recovery is possible.
• All information provided in featured rehab listings is verified by the facility officials.

Care at Cleveland Clinic

According to research, excessive and prolonged alcohol consumption can cause structural and functional brain damage, which can interfere with your memory, spatial awareness, and executive functioning 4. Sometimes, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is confused with alcohol-related dementia. A deficiency of Vitamin B1 (thiamine) is the primary cause of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome; however, excessive alcohol consumption may contribute to the deficiency.

Effects on Social Life and Daily Functioning

These effects worsen over time, generating greater cognitive and functional decline in individuals with alcoholic dementia. For a clear diagnosis, the person needs to have these symptoms even when they have stopped drinking and are not suffering from the effects of alcohol withdrawal. The doctor will also need to make sure that these symptoms don’t indicate another type of dementia, such as  Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia. The length of rehab can vary widely depending on each individual’s progress and needs.