How Long Does it Take for the Brain to Recover From Alcohol?

How Does Long-Term Alcohol Use Impact the Brain?

Long-term alcohol use can damage the brain in these ways:

• Damage to certain brain areas that are more susceptible to alcohol-related damage:
• Hippocampus (memory)
• Prefrontal cortex (decision-making)
• Cerebellum (coordination)
• Cognitive Impairments:
• Difficulty with learning new information
• Problem recalling memories
• Short attention span
• Problem-solving impairment
• Impulse control
• Brain Shrinkage: Chronic drinking can cause brain volume shrinkage, especially in areas responsible for cognitive functioning.
• Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (thiamine deficiency) This is a severe brain disorder that features:
• Confusion
• Amnesia
• Abnormal eye movements
• Neurotoxicity: Alcohol behaves like a neurotoxin, damaging brain cells directly and impairing their function over time.
• Increased Risk of Dementia
• Mood Disorders: Alcohol can worsen existing mental health problems like depression and anxiety.
• Sleep Issues: Sleep patterns become disturbed causing insomnia and low-quality sleep.
• Risk of Head Injuries: Intoxication can impair coordination and judgment, increasing the likelihood of head injuries.

What Are Short-Term Effects of Alcohol on the Brain?

Alcohol use also has some notable short-term effects on the brain including:

• Impaired Decision-making Ability

Because alcohol mainly affects the frontal lobe which is linked to higher-level thinking, it can lead to poor judgment and impulsive behavior.

• Memory Impairment

Drinking harms the brain’s ability to form new memories, causing “blackouts.”

• Coordination Problems

Alcohol impacts the cerebellum, which is responsible for balance and coordination, causing difficulting walking and clumsiness.

• Mood Swings

Alcohol can lead to quick mood changes, which may lead to aggression or emotional instability.

• Diminished Reaction Time

Reaction time is slowed down due to impaired brain function when under the influence of alcohol.

How Does Neuroplasticity Impact Brain Recovery from Alcohol?

Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to change its functions and physical structure based on life experiences and repeated thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. Whether it’s good or bad, whatever you do repeatedly is wired into your brain’s structure. That’s why it’s difficult to change a habit or routine.

But new habits can be formed, and neuroplasticity is what makes it possible for people to change behaviors and adapt to changes forced on them. Still, the brain can’t recognize the difference between good or bad experiences or habits. Since the brain learns repeated habits, it can result in development of an addiction.

Neuroplasticity’s Role in Addiction Recovery

AUD recovery focuses on changing or replacing the harmful habit of using alcohol with positive, healthy habits. When an individual in recovery develops a positive new habit, the brain changes. It creates a neural (central nervous system) pathway reinforcing the new habit. As the new habit is repeated, the new pathway gets stronger through neuroplasticity while the pathways of the negative habits become weaker since they are no longer being reinforced.

Even after long-term alcohol use, the process of neuroplasticity can help the brain heal itself. This can begin during medical detox, the first step in recovery. The time it takes for the brain to heal itself depends on:

• the amount of alcohol being abused,
• how long the person has been abusing it, and
• age (the brains of young people are especially at risk because they’re still developing).

How Does Long-term Alcohol Use Impact Dopamine?

Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain that allow neurons in the brain to communicate with each other and are involved in almost every part of everyday life:

• Appetite regulation
• Motivation
• Stress,
• Memory
• Learning

When they are disrupted by alcohol they can become blocked or overstimulated so they can’t address normal daily functions. The reward system is designed to strengthen positive experiences (eating, socializing, and sex), so you’ll want to do them more often.

The brain releases dopamine–the “feel good” hormone–every time you have a positive experience so you’ll remember it and repeat it to form a habit. Chronic alcohol usage can alter the function and structure of the brain. This basically hijacks the brain’s reward system and motivates the transition from being an occasional drinker to being dependent on it.

How Long Does it Take for the Brain to Heal After Alcohol Abuse?

Our brains have a remarkable ability to adapt and repair, even after prolonged AUD. The brain continues to  build brain cells and neural pathways , and its ability to adapt allows it to modify, grow and reorganize itself after addiction. But, it takes some time for the brain to repair itself.

The brain needs to be free from the alcohol, or the amount needs to have been drastically reduced. There are many treatment options to help people stop or cut back. Withdrawing or detoxing from alcohol can take a few days to a few weeks depending on:

• How much, how often, and how long you’ve been abusing alcohol
• Your psychological and physical health
• The method of withdrawal

Lifestyle Changes and Tips for Brain Recovery from Alcohol

You can do a lot to help  your brain and body recover and improve neuroplasticity and brain health through:

• Regular exercise

This increases the size of the hippocampus

• Practicing mindfulness

Mindful meditation can strengthen brain circuits damaged by AUD

• Nutritious and balanced diet

This  helps to compensate for the vitamin and mineral deficiencies that usually happen with AUD

• Regular sleep

The brain flushes out toxins while you sleep so good sleep habits can help brain recovery

Golden Gate Recovery Can Help You Overcome Alcohol Use Disorder

If you or someone you care about is struggling with AUD, there is help available at Golden Gate Recovery in Marin County, CA. We are a gender-specific treatment facility created by men in long-term recovery for men who need support and comprehensive treatment for alcohol use disorder, or any addiction.

We are set up to design individualized care for each client and an appropriate continuum of care. Our facility can offer you:

Outpatient Programs

Golden Gate has 3 outpatient programs ranging in duration and intensity.

• Outpatient Program (OP): Basic OPs require sessions at the treatment center once or twice a week and are excellent continuing care programs when you have completed a higher level of care.
• Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): OPs typically require sessions for a few hours 2 or 3 days per week. Also a good step-down program or for a person with a mild addiction.
• Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): PHPs are the same in intensity as an inpatient or residential program except that you don’t live at the treatment facility. You will spend 5 to7 full days in treatment and return home in the evening.
• Sober Living Program: Sober living is a safe place to live while continuing treatment and transitioning to an alcohol-free life.
• Holistic Program: Our holistic rehab focuses on treating the whole person, body, mind, and spirit.
• Dual Diagnosis Program: Unfortunately, addiction and mental conditions go hand in hand. Fifty percent of individuals with a mental disorder will also have a substance use disorder and vice versa. This is a dual diagnosis and requires a special program.

Golden Gate Recovery is has licensed and experienced clinicians and addiction specialists whose only job is to help you recover. Contact us today. Find out why we have the Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission, a non-profit organization that accredits healthcare organizations.