Alcohol-Related Brain Damage in Men
Our rehab professionals understand many of the challenges associated with alcoholism, including the numerous health and mental health problems that can arise from chronic drinking. New studies show that men and women have different issues that arise from alcoholism. Men experience several changes in terms of brain activity, but sobriety can help men recover. Read on with our rehab in Massachusetts to learn more about alcohol-related brain damage in men and if it is reversible.
What Part of the Brain Does Alcohol Affect?
A recent study found that chronic drinking leads to diminished brain activity in crucial brain areas for men related to emotional processing, memory, and social processing.1 The specific areas of the male brain that are changed by alcoholism include:
- Amygdala
- Hippocampus
- Superior Frontal Region
- Supramarginal Region
It is important to remember that men and women both face numerous challenges at the hands of alcoholism, including increased cancer risks, liver damage, heart disease, and nervous system problems. However, alcoholism, heavy drinking, and binge drinking are also associated with specific neurological changes in the brain that affect men more than women.
Though both genders experience difficulties caused by chronic drinking, the alcoholism brain changes in men are especially pronounced. Alcoholic men may have challenges with cognition, emotion, and other interpersonal skills due to the reduced functionality of important brain regions as a result of chronic alcohol consumption.
Alcohol memory loss is an especially poignant sign that something is not right. While waking up the night after a binge with no recollection of recent events is considered a hallmark of drinking, it is nothing to joke about. The reality is that these effects can begin to be felt even when the person isn’t enjoying a drink. If a person is continuing to show signs of memory loss when supposedly sober, it could be a clear indicator that there is something deeper going on. It also leaves many wondering if a person can effectively cure themselves once this happens.
Can You Reverse Brain Damage From Alcohol?
The short answer is no. There are no current cures for alcohol-related brain damage. Alcohol is a neurotoxin, which means that the more a person drinks, the more likely they are to cause permanent damage.2 That being said, an early diagnosis can make a world of difference. It allows the progressive harm that is being done to cease, while intentional lifestyle changes can work to minimize and even reverse that decline. Ultimately though, the best way to begin addressing brain damage from drinking would be to, well, stop drinking.
What Alcoholism Brain Changes Mean for Recovery
These alcoholism brain changes in men highlight how much there is to learn about addiction and recovery. While general treatment for addiction takes a similar path for both men and women, these new studies show that men and women require unique approaches to treatment. Effective rehab should address each challenge a person faces in their recovery, including the effects of alcoholism on the brain.
Our Massachusetts addiction treatment center is proud to offer care options like detox, inpatient, outpatient, and IOP recovery. To do this, we provide each patient with a customized treatment plan that sets them on the best path to recovery. This includes identifying a person’s challenges that have been created by active addiction and developing a treatment path that meets all challenges.
From here, we can begin to implement the many effective therapy methods that our Wilmington rehab center has to offer. This serves as another method we can utilize to personalize the treatment experience for each of our patients. While we work to address the physical effects of alcohol addiction, these sessions give patients that space to explore the emotional repercussions and how to best handle them moving forward.
If you or a loved one is struggling with alcoholism, binge drinking, or other disorders, we encourage you to contact our team. We focus on providing addiction care while prioritizing empathy, compassion, and personal responsibility. You do not have to face these challenges by yourself. Let us be a part of one of the most important journeys of your life.
Call 888-280-4763 to begin the treatment process with our qualified alcoholism treatment team at Banyan Treatment Center Massachusetts.
Sources:
- ScienceDaily – Gender impacts brain activity in alcoholics, study finds
- NIH – The Neurotoxicity of Alcohol
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