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Alcoholism

Alcoholic Brain Damage

Answered by Anna Deeds, MSED, NCC, LPC

Question

Is there anything I can do to reverse alcoholic brain damage? I am 11 months sober. I was hoping that my thinking problems were only temporary but after almost a year I don’t think I am going to just get substantially better. My ability to concentrate and hold and manipulate abstract thoughts in my working memory is substantially worse than it was 5 years ago. I am only 34 so I know I am to blame for my brain damage.

Thank you for your question. I did some research to answer your question and found an article here that explains in detail how alcohol consumption can damage the brain. The research indicated that alcohol consumption can affect problem solving, abstract thinking, concept shifting, psycho-motor performance and difficult memory tasks. Most of the information I gathered seems to say that time without drinking will heal most damage to the brain from alcohol but they are not clear on how much time. Research seems to indicate that exercise can also help repair damage to the brain from alcohol. I hope this answers your question.

About the Expert

Anna Deeds

MSED, NCC, LPC

Uniontown, United States of America

Specialties

Anger Management, Sex Therapy, Personality Disorders, Divorce, Compulsive Disorders, OCD, Addiction or Substance Abuse, Thinking Disorders, Trauma and PTSD, Anxiety or Fears, ADHD, Relationship Issues, Women, Loss or Grief, Eating Disorders, Depression, Finding Your Purpose in Life

License

my_license #PC005996