Stop Drinking Alcohol Now.. The Resulting Brain Damage from Alcohol Abuse

Brain imaging studies have proven that long term alcohol abuse can physically shrink the parts of the brain that control learning and memory. This shrinkage is greatest in the cortex of the frontal lobe which is the center of higher intellectual functions and naturally this shrinkage will grow with age and continued alcohol use. The first noticeable sign of damage from alcohol is short-term memory loss.

Progressive brain shrinkage was shown in a study that conducted periodic imaging in alcoholics over a five year period. The amount of brain shrinkage was directly related to the amount of alcohol consumed, but there was no question that the shrinkage far exceeded anything in the normal range.

Any alcoholic who drinks larges amounts of alcohol over a long period of time is a candidate for alcohol related brain damage. How extensive the damage is depends on the system of the drinker, the type and amount of alcohol consumed, and diet that accompanies the chronic drinking.

Brain damage can also be furthered by the nutritional problems that are associated with drinking. Malnutrition is often the result of excessive drinking and can affect the brain. Vital areas of the brain are damaged due to vitamin deficiencies, thiamine in particular. Alcohol creates increased toxicity levels in the body even after alcohol use which damages vital to include not only the brain, but also the liver, pancreas and kidneys.

The central nervous system also falls victim to the effects of alcohol.

If caught early enough, much of the alcohol damage can be reversible. Sometimes it will disappear entirely. The chance of reversal is greatly increased by stopping drinking completely, maintaining a healthy diet and taking vitamins, especially B1 and thiamine. Liver functions can even be repaired with a little known vitamin called milk thistle.

Discover how to Stop Drinking Alcohol written by Ed Philips and get free advice to help you Quit Alcohol Today.