Alcohol and memory loss are very common, especially for those with an alcohol use disorder. Alcohol is a very addictive substance that can cause memory loss, blacking out, organ failure, and other deadly consequences.
The Ranch is dedicated to helping people who are struggling with an alcohol use disorder and want help in breaking their addiction. We have residential and outpatient treatment programs available to see you through all steps of the recovery process. You will participate in group and private therapy sessions led by an experienced therapist who will teach you healthy coping skills to manage your temptations and triggers.
To learn more about our alcohol rehab near Nashville, call 1.844.876.7680 today to speak with our compassionate team and begin the road to recovery.
Alcohol Effects on the Brain
Drinking alcohol has a direct impact on the brain and how it functions. When you drink alcohol, the chemicals bind with cell receptors and signal a massive release of dopamine, serotonin, and other neurotransmitters. This is what gives you that euphoric and pleasurable feeling and also makes you drink more. Alcohol will affect the central nervous system and cause numbness and pain in your hands and feet, disordered thinking, dementia, and short-term memory loss.
The reason why alcohol can cause memory loss is because it affects the hippocampus, the area of your brain that registers, stores, and retrieves information. When you drink heavily, blood-alcohol levels rise, and it can interfere with the transfer of memories from short-term to long-term.
Alcohol-induced memory loss can vary in how it affects people, but some of the common symptoms include:
- Being unable to recall events that occurred while drinking
- Difficulty remembering conversations had when under the influence.
- Experiencing gaps in memory or recalling only some events and not others.
While there is no cure for alcohol use disorder, there are several treatment programs that can teach you how to recognize triggering situations. The Ranch supports individuals who are struggling with an addiction to alcohol. We will develop a tailored recovery program based on your individual symptoms that will include behavioral therapy, holistic therapy, and medical support.
Understanding Alcohol and Memory Loss
Unfortunately, many people who drink alcohol report blacking out at some point in their lifetime. This type of heavy drinking can cause a serious addiction that can lead to alcohol poisoning, coma, and death.
Here is how alcohol and memory loss coincide:
Short-Term Memory Loss
Abusing alcohol can cause short-term memory loss along with a host of other complications. A person can experience two types of blackouts: fragmented blackouts and en bloc blackouts. A fragmented blackout is where you experience fragmented memories or have spotty recollections. You will be able to remember parts of the time passed while drinking but may not be able to recall all of what took place.
An en bloc blackout is a total loss of memory that can last several hours. During this type of blackout, memories of the event do not form and cannot be recovered.
Long-Term Memory Loss
If you drink for an extended period of time, it can result in long-term memory problems, cognitive decline, dementia, and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. This is a complication of long-term alcohol misuse and involves two brain disorders, Wernicke’s encephalopathy and Korsakoff’s psychosis. Symptoms of this disorder include:
- Confusion
- Apathy
- Memory loss
- Vision problems
- Difficulty standing or walking
- Hypothermia
- Low blood pressure
- Tremors
- Hallucinations
It is similar to how dementia affects the brain and can be life-threatening. If you suspect a friend or loved one is abusing alcohol, talk to them about their substance abuse and enroll them in an alcohol rehab program.
Call to Enroll in Our Alcohol Rehab in Nashville Today
At The Ranch, we welcome Tennessee residents who have developed an alcohol use disorder and want help with the recovery process. Our experienced team will evaluate you to determine the best course of action in treating the addiction. Our residential treatment program includes cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, holistic therapy, and medication-assisted treatment to create a whole-person recovery experience.
If you or a loved one is abusing alcohol, call 1.844.876.7680 today or complete the online form to schedule a consultation and tour of our center near Nashville.
