1,4 Alcohol's damage to the brain can take several forms. 1,2,3 This damage is made worse by drinking binges and sudden withdrawal. After alcohol leaves the system, the brain continues over activating the neurotransmitters, causing painful and potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms that can damage brain cells. 1,2 If heavy drinking continues over a long period of time, the brain adapts to the blocked signals by responding more dramatically to certain brain chemicals (called neurotransmitters).
It blocks chemical signals between brain cells (called neurons), leading to the common immediate symptoms of intoxication, including impulsive behavior, slurred speech, poor memory, and slowed reflexes. But what happens to alcoholics in recovery? Can damage caused by heavy drinking ever be reversed? How Does Alcohol Affect the Brain?Īlcohol has a profound effect on the complex structures of the brain. It is less commonly known why these side effects occur and how heavy drinking can eventually cause serious long-term damage to the brain. Afterward, they may experience a blackout: an inability to remember entire conversations or events that occurred while they were drinking. While drinking, they may have difficulty recalling memories or remembering new information, such as a person's name. Most people with alcohol dependence have experienced the memory problems and slowed thinking that come with alcohol use. Alcohol's Effects on the Brain and Cognitive Improvement in Recoveryĭownload the Cognitive Improvement and Alcohol Recovery Research Update.
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