If you or a loved one suffers from end-stage alcoholism, there is hope for recovery. To learn more, you can call our free, confidential helpline at to talk to an admissions navigator who can discuss treatment options, answer any questions you may have, and provide support. Health insurance coverage for rehab may be a possibility, so you can also verify your insurance. The first, Wernicke encephalopathy, causes damage to the lower part of the brain. At Principles Recovery, we are dedicated to providing a safe, compassionate environment where individuals can reclaim their health and rebuild their lives. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, our team is here to help you find a path forward.
Alcoholism can feel like an impossible battle to defeat, however, an alcohol rehab center can provide you with the tools and support you need to regain control. Sahil enjoys taking time and listening to better understand what his patients are experiencing. He believes that empathy, respect and trust are integral traits that all providers must possess. He believes in the value of hard work and dedication to overcoming mental illness and will help his patients to achieve their mental health goals.
This can lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies, including a severe thiamine deficiency. Your body needs thiamine for your brain and metabolism to function properly. If a person develops wet brain, they may experience problems with memory, coordination, and heart rate, among others.
This is typically a non-issue for most healthy adults (think whole grains, asparagus, kale, pork, beef, chicken, eggs and potatoes). Those who struggle with alcohol use disorder, though, are at risk of thiamine deficiency. Instead of eating a balanced diet, many alcoholics drink their calories, depriving their bodies of essential vitamins.
Thiamine supplements and a good diet can help individuals who face challenges with alcohol use. While abstaining from alcohol is necessary in helping prevent or reduce more damage from Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, it is also important to keep in mind the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. One of the most common goals of wet brain treatment is to manage symptoms and to help prevent the condition from worsening. Some memory rehabilitation therapies, like ones used for other forms of dementia, can help a person manage their symptoms.
This lack of self-care combined with chronic alcohol abuse contributes to the development of Wernicke-Koraskoff syndrome. Wernicke-Koraskoff syndrome is a gradual process of brain damage and is most often irreversible. One of the most debilitating mush brain illnesses is Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, also known as wet brain. Wet brain affects males more than females and the sufferer has a 10-20% chance of early death. Stopping alcohol use when the body and brain are dependent on alcohol can result in death.
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is also sometimes referred to as alcohol dementia. In more severe cases, a person may also experience severe confusion, hallucinations, or seizures. Certain exams may be done to check the damage to the nervous or muscular system, as well as exams to check a person’s nutritional levels. Wet brain can cause severe symptoms and unfortunately in some cases, can result in coma or death. Life expectancy for individuals living with wet brain can depend on a variety of different factors. Wet brain can impact various brain regions including the thalamus, hippocampus, hypothalamus, and cerebellum.
This is because many symptoms of wet brain are similar to withdrawal symptoms from alcohol. Early diagnosis of wet brain is essential for effective treatment of the condition. Early treatment in this stage, typically with thiamine supplements, can alleviate symptoms and prevent the condition from degenerating into Korsakoff’s psychosis. Although Wernicke’s encephalopathy is generally caused by alcoholism, other potential causes include severe malnutrition, liver disease, hyperthyroidism, and severe anorexia. If untreated, wet brain can also lead to permanent brain damage that cannot be reversed, even if alcohol use is stopped and thiamine levels are fully replaced.
Despite the reason, patterns of heavy drinking can result in dangerous, life-threatening complications. The longer someone lives with the symptoms of wet brain syndrome, the less chance there is of reversing the condition. It is not reversible and affects the part of the brain that processes and stores memories. Alcohol misuse does not directly cause Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, but the health and behavioral effects of chronic alcohol use often lead to nutrition deficits and vitamin deficiencies.
The symptoms of wet brain vary based on whether it is in the early, reversible stage or in the later, permanent stage. Even if it seems like wet brain or alcohol use disorder is insurmountable, there is always hope at the end of the tunnel. If the patient is diagnosed during the Wernicke’s encephalopathy stage, some symptoms may be reversible with prompt vitamin B1 treatment. However, if the condition has progressed to Korsakoff’s syndrome, the symptoms are generally not reversible. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol use disorder, our Scottsdale treatment facilities are here to help.