Contact us today to learn how we can help you achieve lasting recovery from alcohol addiction. Our treatment programs provide comprehensive care starting with medical detox through treatment, with qualified staff available to assist you. AAC is so confident in their ability to help people stay sober that they offer a 90-day promise. If you relapse after having completed 90 days of consecutive treatment at an AAC facility, you can what is alcoholism return for another 30 days of treatment at no additional cost. Because the pressures of 21st century living can be intense and relentless, the number 1 skill we must all learn is to become experts at self-care. Feeling mushy-brained, exhausted and overwhelmed is not the norm that you, I or anyone else wants.
- It is also possible that genetics can play a role in the extent of brain damage from alcoholism.
- Genetics, preexisting conditions, and other factors help determine whether an alcoholic eventually develops this mush brain disease.
What is the Official Medical Term for Wet Brain?
Abstaining from alcohol or drinking in moderation may help reduce the risk of developing wet brain, along with getting enough nutrition. It is important to remember mush brain meaning that treatment for wet brain is not a one-size-fits-all. Individuals who chronically abuse alcohol are at a higher risk of developing wet brain.
Preventing Wet Brain Syndrome
It occurs when the body doesn’t get enough vitamin B1 (thiamine), which is essential for healthy brain function. Thiamine deficiency can lead to brain damage, especially in areas related to memory and movement. People who abuse alcohol are at the highest risk, but it can also develop in those with poor nutrition or other medical problems. If left untreated, wet brain can cause irreversible damage, leading to severe memory loss and confusion. What can treatment for alcohol abuse and addiction do to stave off Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome?
- This is in fact entirely normal and a very important part of practicing mindfulness.
- Relapse prevention strategies are essential to help people stay sober and avoid triggers that could lead to drinking.
- Supplementing with thiamine can help individuals who have an alcohol addiction reduce the risk of developing Wernicke’s syndrome and Korsakoff syndrome.
- Thiamine can be administered intravenously or through intramuscular injections, especially in the early stages of treatment when symptoms are severe.
- Someone struggling with a wet brain may not be able to recognize their symptoms clearly or seek medical advice when they should.
The Two Stages of Wet Brain
People who regularly abuse alcohol for long periods of time are more likely than others to get wet brain, although it can also be caused by intense periods of vomiting or poor nutrition. Alcohol interferes with the body’s ability to absorb Vitamin B1, so people who binge drink on a regular basis or who consume large amounts of alcohol frequently may develop wet brain. Replacing thiamine will stop the progression of wet brain and reverse symptoms caused by its early stage. Stopping alcohol use will prevent wet brain from developing again or progressing further if it is already permanent. A person with wet brain syndrome often experiences memory loss and may become forgetful or seem confused and disoriented. Wet brain syndrome is a form of dementia that primarily affects chronic, long-term alcoholics at the end stages of their disease.
Other Names for Wet Brain Syndrome
This can lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies, including a severe thiamine deficiency. Your body needs thiamine for your brain and metabolism to function properly. If a person develops wet brain, they may experience problems with memory, coordination, and heart rate, among others.
Wernicke’s Encephalopathy Symptoms
A proper diagnosis of wet brain can’t be made for a person with alcohol use disorder until they are in recovery. This is because many symptoms of wet brain are similar to withdrawal symptoms from alcohol. Early diagnosis of wet brain is essential for effective treatment of the condition. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS), commonly referred to as “wet brain,” is a serious neurological disorder most often linked to heavy, prolonged alcohol use.
- This wise part of the brain allows us to deal with subtlety and context, consider others’ feelings and make nuanced, rational decisions.
- This is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure FHE Health is trusted as a leader in mental health and addiction care.
- The damage caused by alcoholic dementia is often irreversible, making early intervention potentially life-saving.
- Instead, it makes us more mushy-brained, more reactive and more prone to making poor decisions.
The treatment goal for Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome is to improve symptoms and delay the disease progression. Following medical detoxification and complete physical and mental evaluation, people with wet brain disease receive intravenous administration of thiamine, magnesium, or both. Most patients see improvement in their physical and mush brain cognitive functioning within several weeks. Once they’ve been discharged from the hospital, patients should continue the regimen of taking oral thiamine and other recommended vitamin supplements.
