What is alcohol related brain damage (ARBD)?
Long-term excessive consumption of alcohol has a harmful effect on almost all organs of the body. Those particularly affected include the brain and the gastro-intestinal system (gut and liver). The effect of protracted excessive consumption on the brain varies from person to person for reasons, which are not yet clear. Theories include the style of alcohol consumption, for example, binge versus chronic consumption, and differences in an individual’s susceptibility, usually thought to be genetic. ARBD incorporates a range of diagnoses and refers to the effects of changes to the structure and function of the brain resulting from long term consumption of alcohol. There is no single cause of ARBD, which usually results from a combination of factors. These include the direct toxic effects of alcohol on brain cells, the effects of dehydration on the brain, vitamin and nutritional deficiencies, head injury and disturbances to the blood supply of the brain usually incurred whilst intoxicated.
